BEIJING — On March 31, 2026, the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS) hosted a high-level delegation from The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), led by Executive Director Prof. Marcelo Knobel. The visit marked a critical step in aligning strategic efforts between TWAS and the CAS-TWAS Centres of Excellence.

    Moving beyond routine introductions, leadership from IMCAS and TWAS engaged in a deep, forward-looking dialogue centered on a shared, urgent vision: building a robust global network to foster cross-border collaboration in science and education. A major focus of the discussion was pandemic preparedness. Representatives, including Prof. JunHao Zhu, Prof. YanPing Zhang, and Prof. JunCai Ma, highlighted the necessity of empowering the Global South through shared data, joint research initiatives, and talent cultivation. The consensus was clear—strengthening scientific infrastructure and communication channels globally is the only way to build a truly resilient defense against emerging infectious diseases and future biological threats.

    To ground these strategic talks in tangible capabilities, the delegation also toured IMCAS’s premier research facilities, including the frontline laboratories of the CAS-TWAS Centres for Biotechnology and Emerging Infectious Diseases, as well as the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center.

    Ultimately, the successful summit reinforces a mutual commitment to turning international scientific frameworks into on-the-ground realities, ensuring that collaborative innovation outpaces the next global health crisis.