During December 13th to 14th, the “International Symposium of ASEAN Countries on Biomass Conversion and its Applications in the Soil and Water” was successfully held in the Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), jointly organized by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), and the "Belt and Road" Alliance of Urban Environmental Health.

This symposium invited esteemed academics and business representatives from various ASEAN countries to deliver speeches, including Prof. Alexander Mosqueda from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in the Philippines, Dr. Hens Saputra from National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Indonesia, Dr. Song Han Lee from Green COP in Singapore, Dr. Daniel Tan Lee Tung and Dr Jiuan Jing Chew from Swinburne University of Technology in Malaysia, Prof. Min Qiao from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of CAS, Prof. Zubin Xie from the Institute of Soil Science of CAS, Prof. Jun Meng from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, and Prof. Xuejiao Liu from IUE. In addition, young scholars from Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda and China enrolled to to actively engage in this symposium. Prof. Yin Wang from IUE was serving as the executive chairman of the symposium. Prof. Xuejiao Liu and Dr. Jie Li from the same institution were presided over the meeting.

The invited experts systematically introduced the research frontiers and hot spots of biomass valorization, such as the preparation of sustainable energy and resources from biomass, carbon sequestration and emission reduction of biochar in soil applications, its remediation of heavy metals and influence mechanism on the transmission and diffusion of resistance genes in soils, as well as the development of functional activated carbon materials from biomass and their applications in water purification. The symposium's attendees exhibited a profound interest in the presented topics, fostering an intense and vibrant discussion amongst the participants.

Biomass is the fourth largest resource following coal, oil and natural gas, and is also a green and sustainable energy source. Therefore, in the pursuit of the "dual carbon" goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, it is of great significance to explore the high-value conversion and utilization of biomass resources. This approach could replace traditional energy and resources, as well as carbon sequestration and emission/pollution reduction, and provide safe food and clean water for human beings. The convening of the “International Symposium of ASEAN Countries on Biomass Conversion and its Applications in the Soil and Water” is not only necessary but also timely. It provided an excellent platform for global researchers to exchange insights, fostering academic collaboration among scholars from "Belt and Road" countries and enhancing cultural exchanges. This seminar further expanded the international collaboration and future partnerships between CAS and ASEAN countries, which well implemented the "Belt and Road" initiative.