The 3rd Hong Kong and Macao Ocean & Areas of Excellence (AoE) Forum

From October 21 to 23, 2024, the 3rd Hong Kong and Macao Ocean & Areas of Excellence (AoE) Forum were successfully held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. With the theme of "Earth System Science for Climate Change, Carbon Neutrality and Blue Economy", the forum aims to promote academic exchange and cooperation in regional earth system science study. The forum was jointly organized by the AoE project "Study of the regional earth system for sustainable development under climate change in the Greater Bay Area" (Earth-HK), Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau (CORE) and the Department of Ocean Science of HKUST, gathered experts and scholars from various areas to discuss cutting-edge issues in ocean research.

During the Forum, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on four major topics: Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics and Climate Change; Biogeochemical Cycles in Ocean-Land-Atmospheric System and Carbon Neutrality; Ocean Technology, Digital-Twin and Blue Economy; and Earth System Study in the Greater Bay Area. Experts and scholars actively exchanged their research findings and experiences, promoted communication and collaboration between different disciplines, and fostered new ideas for future ocean science research directions and cooperation opportunities.

We believe the forum will make significant contributions to the development of ocean science and technology and the blue economy in the GBA as well as the whole China. The success of the forum marks a solid step forward in collaborative efforts to address climate change. We appreciate all participants for your support and participation to the forum, and look forward to the future cooperation to the sustainable development of ocean science. Together, we can address the climate change challenges and contribute our wisdom and strength to achieving sustainable development goals.