The four universities include Beijing University, Seoul National University, the University of Tokyo and Hanoi National University.

The annual forum offers an opportunity for scientists to share their common interests towards a sustainable future. It is also an important bridge for promoting cooperation between universities, hi-tech zones, and authorities in the four capital cities to create an effective development triangle.

The universities will cooperate in training human resources to build scientifically and technologically modern cities and promote scientific research for sustainable development.

Speaking at the forum, Director of Beijing University, Professor Qifeng Zhou, said his university focuses on integrity and connectivity in training and scientific research to create practical research systems to serve China’s goals for energy-saving and environmentally-friendly urban development.

According to Professor Yeon Cheon Oh, Director of the Seoul National University, training and scientific research at a university should be considered an important starting point for sustainable urban development, promoting harmony between environmental improvement, economic efficiency and social equity.

Meanwhile, Head of Tokyo University, Prof. Junichi Hamada, emphasised the need to create sustainable urban spaces. To address the implications of urbanisation, new ideas and efforts, creativity towards a new civilization should be encouraged.

Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan, Director of Hanoi National University, said the impact of global climate change on urban development is very complex. He said measures to cope with climate change must be based on a cross-cutting approach in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

At the forum, the four universities reached a consensus on creating a joint declaration which stresses sustainable urban development in a global context, and agreed to design and implement a joint cooperative programme to train MAs majoring in climate change.