China-Brazil Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum Held in São Paulo, Brazil

On June 28, the "China-Brazil Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum," part of the BRICS Auditorium of Skills Development and Technology Innovation, was successfully held in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was co-organized by the International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA), the Brazilian Association of Innovators, Scientists, and Entrepreneurs (ABIPIR), and the International Alliance of Skills Development for Belt & Road and BRICS (IASDBR).

During the forum, the Brazil-China Science, Innovation, Education, and Business Cooperation Center (hereafter referred to as the "Brazil-China Cooperation Hub") was officially launched. This center is managed by the IFIA and the Latin America Office of ABIPIR – São Paulo branch.

Over fifty experts from China and Brazil participated in the forum, with ten Brazilian and ten Chinese experts delivering reports on various topics such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, digital healthcare, and cross-border e-commerce.

Marcelo, the founder and president of the Brazilian Association of Innovators, Scientists, and Entrepreneurs, a member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Inventors' Associations, and director of its Latin American division, gave an in-depth presentation on the Brazil-China Cooperation Hub and its market potential. He stated that with the launch of the center, both sides will be able to use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies of mutual interest to develop new solutions to address the challenges faced by China and Brazil and promote mutual development.

Dr. Liu Zhenying, Chair of the China Chapter of BRICS Business Council Skills Development, Applied Technology and Innovation Working Group, President of the International Alliance of Skills Development for Belt & Road and BRICS, Chair of the BRICS Skills Development and Technology Innovation Competition Organizing Committee, and President of the BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen), congratulated the official launch of the Brazil-China Cooperation Hub.

Dr. Liu further introduced the BRICS+ outcomes design and emphasized the significant importance of the Brazil-China Cooperation Hub for both China and Brazil. He outlined several key areas of cooperation: firstly, sharing knowledge and professional expertise in AI and other advanced technologies that align with the common development interests of Brazil and China; secondly, jointly conducting Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) projects focusing on technical challenges in various knowledge fields; thirdly, promoting innovation through the application of AI and other advanced technologies to address the practical and relevant challenges identified by both countries; fourthly, organizing seminars, workshops, forums, technology and skills competitions, technology and skills standard formulation, curriculum development, training base construction, and BRICS Academy activities in line with the development interests of both Brazil and China; fifthly, driving innovation in technology and skills through collaboration in vocational education, talent training, school exchange programs, mutual recognition of credits, and enhancing cooperation in international industry-education integration and cultural exchange between China and Brazil; and sixthly, promoting project cooperation and activities under the framework of the BRICS+ Alliance of Science and Technology Innovation, calling for Brazilian institutions such as universities, enterprises, and startups to join the BRICS+ Alliance.

During the forum, Brazilian experts introduced the Brazil Institute of Technology and Leadership (Inteli), the Institute of Technological Research (IPT), IFIA Latin American Office and IFIA startups, as well as leaders of the Brazil-China Cooperation Hub and the Maxxi Science Center, sharing cooperation opportunities in research and development, innovation, and investment. The China delegation for the 2024 Belt & Road and BRICS Competition of Skills Development and Technology Innovation – BRICS Technology Innovation Competition (Brazil) also presented their respective organizations and the innovative technology projects they will participate in. Through in-depth exchanges and discussions, both sides look forward to further deepening practical cooperation and continuously producing high-quality results with the support of the "Brazil-China Cooperation Hub" platform and cooperation mechanism.