The launch ceremony of the Alliance of International Science Organizations in the Belt and Road Region in Beijing on November 4. CAS

A Belt and Road international science organisations alliance was launched on Sunday in Beijing with the aim of tackling major scientific challenges such as climate change.

The Alliance of International Science Organizations in the Belt and Road Region, or ANSO, was initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

ANSO, which is non-profit and non-governmental, will include more than 40 national, regional and international scientific and research institutions. It will focus on tackling major scientific challenges such as ecological resources, climate change, environmental protection and public health, said CAS president Bai Chunli at the launch ceremony.

Further, the alliance plans to publish consultation reports based on joint projects that will provide the governments and policymakers of the countries within the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) with scientific advice.

The alliance will also train young scientists and grant awards to promote cooperation among scientists and scientific institutions, Bai added.

Chinese president Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to ANSO ahead of its launch, saying that promoting cooperation in science and technology among countries constituted an important part of the building of the Belt and Road. The message went on to say that cooperation also played a positive role in improving people's livelihoods, promoting development and coping with common challenges.

The BRI is a multitrillion-dollar project proposed by Xi in 2013. It is China's attempt to create a modern version of the Silk Road, in order to boost trade and economic integration among the countries involved through investments in roads, pipelines, ports, communication networks and other such infrastructure. (GBTimes)