TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A speech by Academia Sinica President James Liao (廖俊智) at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) marked a new chapter in scientific exchanges between Taiwan and the Vatican, reports said Thursday (Sept. 26).

PAS invited Liao to its Sept. 23-25 plenary meeting along with more than 60 scientists from around the world, the Academia Sinica said in a news release. The Holy See is Taiwan’s only official diplomatic ally in Europe.

The Taiwanese academic spoke about greenhouse gases during a session devoted to life sciences innovation. He discussed how innovative technologies can help reduce the greenhouse effect.

In 2023, Liao welcomed PAS President Joachim von Braun to Academia Sinica, where they talked about the development of AI, food security, and climate change. The meeting, which also included Cardinal Peter Turkson, the president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, marked the first official contact between the academic institutions from Taiwan and the Vatican.

In addition to Liao, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) also attended this week’s PAS meeting. Pope Francis appointed him as a member of PAS in 2021, and later became the first scientist from Taiwan to join the body’s council.

Chen, a former health minister and premier, chaired a session about the use of new scientific breakthroughs including AI to fight pandemics and chronic diseases.