December 1-2, 2025, CAS–TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases(CEEID) successfully co-organized the prestigious "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Symposium on Global Health and Zoonotic Diseases" in Hangzhou. The symposium convened leading scientists,public health experts,and policymakers from BRI partner countries to address shared challenges in emerging infectious diseases and zoonotic threats.

    The event highlighted the critical importance of international collaboration in pandemic preparedness and health security. Professor George F. Gao, Director of CEEID and a distinguished Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), delivered both the opening address and a keynote speech, setting a visionary tone for the proceedings. Professor Likui Wang from the CEEID Secretariat organized and coordinated the participation of experts from both China and abroad, ensuring the smooth execution of highly productive academic sessions.

    In his keynote report titled "One Health: From Public to Global and Planetary," Academician George F. Gao articulated a comprehensive framework for tackling health challenges in an interconnected world. He emphasized the necessity of transcending traditional public health approaches by integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives—the core "One Health" principle—to achieve truly global and planetary health outcomes. A central focus of his address and the symposium was the forging of a new paradigm for regional, joint prevention and control of zoonotic diseases under the BRI framework. CEEID's commitment to leveraging international scientific cooperation to build early warning systems, share data and expertise, and strengthen core capacities across borders. This collaborative model aims to create a resilient health shield for all participating regions.

    "The fight against emerging pathogens knows no borders," stated Academician George F. Gao. "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, we have a unique platform to build synergistic partnerships. By uniting our scientific efforts under the 'One Health'banner, we can better predict, prevent, and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks, safeguarding health and economic stability for our nations and the world. "The symposium featured in-depth discussions on surveillance technologies, vaccine development,antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable ecological practices. Participants engaged in formulating actionable strategies to translate the"One Health"concept into concrete, cooperative projects among BRI partners.

    The CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases, reaffirmed its role as a pivotal hub for cutting-edge research and a driving force for equitable, international scientific diplomacy in global health through this pivotal event.