A synthetic biology innovation competition, jointly launched by Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT) and leading research institutions, has been selected as one of the first endorsed initiatives under the UNESCO’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), marking a significant step in China’s engagement with global scientific collaboration.

The SynBio Challenges competition, hosted by the Chinese Society of Biotechnology and co-initiated with the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was recognized for its scientific value, international collaboration potential, and contribution to sustainable development.

Announced by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 and coordinated by the UNESCO, the “Science Decade” aims to strengthen global scientific cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, public health, and social equity, while accelerating progress toward the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Synthetic biology, widely seen as a transformative technology for tackling issues such as resource scarcity, environmental pollution, and food security, has become a key driver of sustainable development. The SynBio Challenges competition not only showcases the achievements of young researchers in China, but also serves as a platform for international knowledge sharing and talent cultivation.

Zhang Xian’en, chair of the competition’s organizing committee and dean of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at SUAT, said the competition’s scientific rigor, public-oriented innovation, and growing global influence were key factors behind its selection.