AstraZeneca Deepens Engagement at Boao Forum to Advance Innovation, Health Equity and Sustainable Development

China Finance and Economics News, March 28 (Reporter Du Ding) AstraZeneca emphasized its role as a strategic partner at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, held from March 26 to 29 in Hainan.

The theme of this year's Boao Forum for Asia is "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Common Responsibilities." As a long-term participant in this important platform, AstraZeneca once again demonstrated its commitment to promoting innovation, health equity, and sustainable development in the region.

Pascal Soriot, Global CEO of AstraZeneca, attended the entire forum and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He also participated in and spoke at several sub-forums, including "Accelerating Climate Action," "Focusing on Rare Diseases – Promoting Health Equity and Accessibility," and "Health Without Borders – International Healthcare Cooperation."

At the opening ceremony of the forum on Thursday, Subko said in his speech: "As the CEO of a global company focused on science and innovation, I often come to China. The medical needs in China are enormous, and its innovation potential has rapidly flourished in recent years. With the support of the 'Healthy China 2030' policy, China's biopharmaceutical innovation has gained global influence, and I believe it has the potential to help millions of people worldwide."

Pascal Soriot pointed out that AstraZeneca and China share a common commitment in areas such as science and innovation, health equity, and sustainable development, all of which align closely with the spirit of this year's Boao Forum for Asia. He stated, "I would like to emphasize the important role of the Boao Forum for Asia in promoting communication and cooperation to address significant global challenges. AstraZeneca is honored to be part of it."

Leo Wang, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca Global, President of International Business and China, stated: "We have always been optimistic about China's development potential and its important position in international cooperation. To this end, we actively cooperate with local Chinese enterprises and more cross-border partners to promote medical practice and innovation ecosystems, and jointly strengthen the resilience of the global public health system, support the fair accessibility of healthcare, and advance the sustainable development of the global healthcare cause."

In response to the theme of international cooperation, "Common Challenges, Common Responsibilities," of this year's Boao Forum for Asia, AstraZeneca supported the forum in hosting the "Health Without Borders – International Healthcare Cooperation Roundtable." Li Baodong, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, and Pascal Soriot, Global CEO of AstraZeneca, delivered speeches at the forum. Bi Jingquan, Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, gave a keynote speech. Xu Liang, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, Leon Wang, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca Global and President of International Business & China, along with more than twenty Chinese and foreign guests from China, the UAE, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Singapore, India, and other countries attended. This roundtable forum brought together representatives from relevant governments, healthcare experts, industry think tanks, and innovative enterprises to jointly discuss how to strengthen global cooperation to eliminate health disparities and promote global health equity.

The attending guests engaged in in-depth discussions and shared their global development experiences in the healthcare field on three topics: "Chronic Respiratory Disease Management," "Addressing the Increasingly Severe Cancer Burden," and "How to Promote the Sharing of Global Healthcare Innovation Achievements in China and Other Emerging Markets." Guest speakers from Qingdao Hospital of Rehabilitation University (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), the Kenya National Cancer Institute, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation respectively shared innovative case studies of international cooperation.