The growing frequency of extreme global heatwave events has led to a marked rise in cooling demand. However, current cooling technologies are energy-intensive and do not offer fundamental solutions to high-temperature environmental challenges. In alignment with its dual objectives of achieving a “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality”, China is pursuing a comprehensive green transformation through industrial upgrading and technological innovation. Similarly, Singapore’s “Green Plan 2030” outlines a strategic pathway toward net-zero emissions, emphasizing urban greening, green finance, and sustainable energy transitions.

The successful realization of a green and low-carbon future hinges on the integration of advanced technologies and innovative functional materials. Materials in the fields of optics, thermodynamics, and mechanics present significant potential for scalable application in urban cooling systems and infrastructure, facilitating the creation of “urban cooling islands” that contribute to ecological resilience and sustainable urban development.

Against this backdrop, the International Symposium on Advanced Materials for Global Sustainability will be held from August 6 to 9 2025 at the National University of Singapore. Leading experts and scholars in materials science from China, the United States, Singapore, and other regions will convene in this four-day event to explore the latest advancements in photovoltaic, thermal, electrical, optical, and multifunctional materials aligned with global low-carbon strategies. Chaired by President Shuangjie Peng, Professor Cheng-Wei Qiu, and Professor Guangming Tao, this invitation-only symposium will foster interdisciplinary exchange and showcase innovative applications of advanced materials in architecture and equipment systems.