Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 96th WFSW EC, held in Beijing in collaboration with CAST, featured addresses from several distinguished figures. Zhao Zhongxian, Honorary Member of CAST and Deputy Vice-President of WFSW, emphasised the importance of the meeting for global scientific progress and sustainable development. This was followed by speeches from WFSW Co-Presidents Jean-Paul Lainé (SNESUP-FSU, France) and Elies Molins (API-CSIC, Spain), who underscored the significance of scientific cooperation in addressing global challenges. Pascal Janots (UGICT-CGT, France) then presented the Treasurer's report.
In his opening speech, Jean-Paul Lainé stressed the essential role of international collaboration in driving progress, aligning scientific advances with sustainable development goals. He thanked CAST and the authorities present for their support for the organization of the event and highlighted priorities such as disarmament, climate change, social inequalities, and the democratisation of knowledge. He also emphasised the urgent need to tackle political degradation, "fake news," and punitive environmental policies, suggesting initiatives such as establishing a research fund for Africa and expanding the partnership with UNESCO.
Elies Molins reaffirmed pacifism as a fundamental principle of the WFSW, founded to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and promote peace and the well-being of humanity. He warned of the long-lasting effects of violence and the need to combat inequalities, making a representative and ambitious appeal for a 50-year global armistice to redirect resources wasted on armaments towards sustainable development. He stressed the role of critical thinking and called for enhancing the WFSW's influence through more effective communication and global cooperation networks, mobilising society to save ecosystems and ensure a habitable future for the planet.
