Shenzhen, China — Mr. Qaiser Nawab, Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development – BRISD , visited the prestigious headquarters of BGI (formerly Beijing Genomics Institute) in Shenzhen, China, to explore opportunities for cooperation in the fields of health, biotechnology, and scientific capacity building across Belt and Road partner countries.
Mr. Nawab was warmly received by Mr. Mao Zhixia, Senior Official at BGI and In-charge of South Asia affairs. During the high-level engagement, Mr. Mao provided a comprehensive briefing on BGI’s remarkable journey—from humble beginnings to becoming the world’s largest genomics research institution. He highlighted the organization’s cutting-edge contributions in areas ranging from gene sequencing and health diagnostics to precision medicine and pandemic response.
Both parties discussed in depth the future of global health innovation and emphasized the potential for closer collaboration. Mr. Qaiser Nawab shared BRISD’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable development through science and technology partnerships, especially in the Global South.
He stressed the importance of investing in the training and upskilling of young scientists from countries along the Belt and Road.
The meeting concluded with mutual interest in establishing structured collaboration frameworks to promote:
• Training programs for young scientists and researchers from Pakistan and other BRI partner nations;
• Technological support for improving health infrastructure and diagnostics in developing regions.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Qaiser Nawab said,“BGI is a shining example of what innovation and commitment to science can achieve. Their journey is an inspiration to developing nations. I believe our cooperation can unlock enormous potential in health, education, and scientific research for countries along the Belt and Road.”
This visit marks a significant step toward forging cross-border scientific cooperation and building resilient health ecosystems through knowledge exchange and innovation.
