The 2026 Greater Bay Area (GBA) Science Forum, held from October 31 to November 2 across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, concluded with significant commitments to collaborative innovation and the region's ambition to become a global science and technology hub. Jointly guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the forum underscored national strategic leadership in accelerating policy implementation and technological breakthroughs. The event's structure—an opening ceremony, a main forum, 15 specialized sub-forums, and 10 signature events—reflects a deeply integrated approach, with parallel sessions in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, and Yangjiang.
The opening ceremony, held on November 1 in Nansha, Guangzhou, saw the release of new support measures for the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center, introduced by relevant state ministries and central authorities. A key highlight was the commitment to fortify original innovation capacity by supporting a world-class cluster of major sci-tech infrastructures. Additionally, two national key R&D projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan, spearheaded by Guangdong Province—the "Advanced Biotherapeutic Technologies Project" and the "GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center Project"—were officially launched. The ceremony also featured the signing of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Collaborative Innovation Joint Funding Program and major sci-tech cooperation agreements between CAS and Guangdong Province, translating national strategic visions into concrete actions.
These developments matter because they signal a coordinated effort to pool resources across the three jurisdictions, fostering a synergistic innovation ecosystem. Since its inception in December 2021, the GBA Science Forum has evolved into a premier high-level exchange platform and a vital showcase for the matchmaking and achievements of the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center. This year's forum brought together four Nobel laureates, distinguished academicians from home and abroad, young scientists, and leading tech entrepreneurs, who shared research findings and insights on cutting-edge breakthroughs, future technological trends, and the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation.
The GBA's innovation momentum has gained global recognition. In September 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published its Global Innovation Index 2026 Top 100 Science and Technology Clusters, with the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou" cluster securing the number one spot globally once again. This achievement, reported by Media OutReach Newswire, highlights the region's robust developmental environment and its growing role as a magnet for talent and investment. The forum's outcomes are likely to accelerate the translation of research into commercial applications, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and enhance the GBA's competitiveness in future industries. As global tech competition intensifies, the GBA's integrated approach could serve as a model for other regions seeking to build innovation clusters, with implications for supply chains, talent mobility, and economic growth.
