The first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Emerging countries, hosted by the School of Business and Tourism Management at Yunnan University (YNU), opens from July 13 to 14. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Emerging countries, hosted by the School of Business and Tourism Management at Yunnan University (YNU), opened from July 13 to 14. 

The conference brought together more than 60 scholars and researchers from MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT School of Architecture and Planning, Queen Mary University of London, the University of California, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Anhui University, Nanchang University, YNU and Yunnan Transportation Investment Group. 

The organizing committee received more than 100 papers, 67 of which were recognized by the panel. 

On July 13, Lyu Wanqing, dean of the School of Business and Tourism Management, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Gao He, vice-dean of the school. 

In her speech, she extended a warm welcome to the attendees. She said that despite China continuously making accelerated progress in technological innovation, economic growth and environmental protection, it is also facing new challenges. 

She expressed her hope that experts would share their expertise into issues regarding sustainable development, and contribute to the sustainable development of world economy. 

Following the opening ceremony, John E Fernández, a professor from the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT, Huang Yasheng and John C Grant, professors from the Sloan School of Management of MIT, and Sushanta K Mallick, professor from Queen Mary University London, delivered reports on topics including urban management, food industrial chain and bank service. 

On the afternoon of July 13, 30 scholars from China and foreign countries held a discussion at 30 sub-forums, which were themed around sustainable development in terms of firm management, ecology, tourism, finance and urban management. 

The forum held during the next day was chaired by Chen Xi, associate professor of the School of Management and Tourism at YNU, and was addressed by Monica Khanna, professor from India Sonia University, Zhang Shiwei, vice-president of Anhui Sanlian University and Zhao Shuhong, professor from the School of Business and Tourism Management. 

In the end, professors Huang Yasheng and Gao He summarized the two-day conference and Professor Lyu Wanqing delivered closing remarks.

A scholar delivers a speech at a sub-forum of the first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Emerging countries hosted by the School of Business and Tourism Management at Yunnan University (YNU) from July 13 to 14. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

A speaker delivers a presentation to attendees of a sub-forum during the first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Emerging countries hosted by the School of Business and Tourism Management at Yunnan University (YNU) from July 13 to 14. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Attendees of the first International Conference on Sustainable Development in Emerging countries, hosted by the School of Business and Tourism Management at Yunnan University (YNU), pose for a photo at Yunnan University. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]