On May 17th, the inaugural meeting of the Belt and Road Pharmacy Cooperation Alliance (BRPC Alliance) was successfully convened in Nanjing, marking the official launch of this strategic initiative, led by China Pharmaceutical University. Notable attendees included Vice President Kong Lingyi and Professor Xu Ming, Dean of School of International Education from the university.
Dean Xu Ming opened the event by outlining the mission and formation of the BRPC Alliance, describing it as a voluntary, international, non-profit organization that unites universities, social organizations, research institutions, and pharmaceutical enterprises around shared goals in healthcare. The alliance aims to build a platform for mutual learning, innovation, and collaboration, said Xu. He highlighted its commitment to establishing stable, long-term cooperative mechanisms, expanding international exchanges, and fostering new momentum for global health initiatives. The alliance’s inaugural members include 62 universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions from 32 countries, such as China, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Brazil. China Pharmaceutical University will serve as the first chairing institution, with Professor Hao Haiping, the university’s president, appointed as the alliance's first chairman.
Speaking on behalf of the chairing institution, Vice President Kong Lingyi underscored the importance of the alliance in promoting the Healthy Silk Road vision. “Ensuring that every member of the global community enjoys quality healthcare and medical services is at the heart of this initiative,” he remarked. He emphasized the need for strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the face of global public health challenges, leveraging shared resources and expertise. Kong also outlined the alliance's future plans, including specialized faculty and student exchange programs, joint research projects, and efforts to translate scientific breakthroughs into practical applications. He encouraged all members to collaborate closely in advancing pharmaceutical education, research, and innovation along the Belt and Road.
Throughout the meeting, key representatives delivered speeches, including Deputy Dean Li Jun from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Director Balmukunda Regmi of the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University in Nepal, Executive President Wu Hailin from Shanghai Lanxiang Investment Holding Co., Ltd., and Thais Guaratini, General Manager of the Brazilian pharmaceutical company Lychnoflora. These speakers, representing domestic, international, and corporate members, emphasized the alliance's potential for fostering global cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.
The event concluded with the formal release of the Nanjing Consensus on Belt and Road Pharmacy Cooperation. The Consensus highlights the vital role of pharmacy schools, pharmaceutical enterprises, and medical institutions in advancing pharmacy cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative. It calls for joint efforts in promoting pharmaceutical innovation, fostering industry development, and contributing to the sustainable progress of global health.
(translator: JIN NAN)