BEIJING — As the world grapples with accelerating biodiversity loss, climate change, and diminishing natural resources, international museum experts are calling for a transformation in how natural history museums operate. The call to action came during the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development of Natural Science Museums, held on June 5 and 6 in Beijing.
The forum, part of the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum series, was hosted by the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology and the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums, and organized by the Natural History Museum of China. It brought together specialists from around the world to discuss how museums must evolve in theory, function, and management to meet contemporary global challenges.
Meng Qingjin, chief scientist at the Natural History Museum of China, emphasized the need for museums to move beyond traditional roles and act as conduits between nature and culture, as well as between local and global perspectives. He stressed that museums should promote the concept of ecological civilization—respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature—and highlight humanity’s role in the current biodiversity crisis.
These guiding principles, according to Meng, are being incorporated into the development of the museum’s new pavilion, currently under construction. The facility, located south of Beijing’s Central Axis, will feature an expansive exhibition area of 68,000 square meters and is expected to welcome between 5 to 7 million visitors annually.
Zhang Yuguang, deputy director of the Natural History Museum of China, shared the museum’s vision for the future, shaped significantly by global insights gathered during the forum. He described the upcoming museum as a “public, open science platform” embedded within the community and free from conventional boundaries.
Drawing inspiration from Johannes Vogel, director of the Museum of Natural History in Berlin, Zhang highlighted the concept of “open storage,” in which visible, glass-enclosed collection areas double as educational exhibits, allowing the public to observe specimens and curatorial processes.
Zhang also revealed plans for a special international exhibition to commemorate the third anniversary of the museum’s rebranding. Formerly known as the Beijing Museum of Natural History, the institution was renamed and officially inaugurated on June 5, 2023. The museum’s collection is expected to exceed 460,000 specimens this year, with annual additions ranging from 20,000 to 30,000. With a legacy spanning more than 70 years, the revamped museum aims to serve as a hub for scientific research, education, and global collaboration.
This year’s forum, themed “Natural History Museums and Science Communication,” emphasized international dialogue, practical case studies, and cross-sector partnerships. It encouraged innovative models to enhance the sustainability of museums worldwide.
Guo Zhe, director of the China Science and Technology Museum, echoed the sentiment, asserting that modern museums must dismantle physical and conceptual barriers to integrate more fully into the scientific innovation landscape. He cited ongoing partnerships with academic and research institutions as a model for responsive, forward-thinking museum practice.
The forum served as a pivotal platform for international cooperation, enabling global natural history museums to exchange ideas and strategies. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it aims to redefine the role of museums in advancing ecological awareness and public engagement in an increasingly complex world.
