China wants to build a “belt of scientific cooperation” with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and international organizations, according to a top expert.

Yang Wei, president of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, said the country will also continue to facilitate scientific research, innovation, education and exchanges to promote scientific progress and people-to-people bonds.

“Science and innovation are the fundamental solutions to many of the world’s most difficult problems,” including disease, climate change, resource depletion and poverty, he said on Monday at an international symposium in Beijing.

It is crucial countries utilize their advantages, work together and share knowledge to tackle global issues, Yang said, adding that the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road are solid platforms for such exchanges.

“Based on the initiative, we plan to build a belt of scientific cooperation to support the building of friendship, development and prosperity,” he said.

The foundation administers the National Natural Science Fund, which supports collaborative research projects, academic networking, workshops and training for young scientists.

In recent years, the foundation has held more than 50 symposiums, while the fund has invested more than 550 million yuan ($82.4 million) to fund more than 300 science projects, according to Liu Congqiang, the foundation’s vice-president.

Pavel Kabat, the director general of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, said the global issues raised by Yang are serious and long-term, so countries not only need to plan ahead when doing joint science research, but also undertake institutional reforms to make the science community more integrated, inclusive and innovative.

“The Belt and Road initiative has the opportunity to be a champion for integrated sustainable development,” he said.

Liu Jian, chief scientist for the United Nations Environment Programme, added that the initiative involves a third of the global population, so its success will greatly effect the world as a whole.

“China has many multilateral cooperation mechanisms and international projects, especially in the field of resources and climate change,” he said. “We will continue to support the initiative’s goal for sustainable development and look forward to working with China.”