The 9th International Forum on Statistics took place from July 14th to 15th at Mingde Hall, Renmin University of China (RUC). The event was organized by RUC’s School of Statistics and the Center for Applied Statistics, drawing in more than 800 statisticians from around the globe. Participants engaged in profound discussions on the latest theories, methodologies, and applications in the field of statistics.

Among the distinguished attendees were Zhang Donggang, Chairman of the University Council; Xian Zude, former Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics; and Cai Tianwen, the incoming President of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS). The opening ceremony, presided over by Wang Xiaojun, Dean of the School of Statistics, featured keynote speeches by these notable figures.

Zhang Donggang highlighted that the ongoing scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are altering the landscape of global innovation and economic structure. As we step into the era of big data, these transformations present both unparalleled opportunities and challenges for statistics and its discipline. He expressed hope that the School of Statistics would make significant contributions to the modernization of statistics.

Xian Zude emphasized the integral role of probability theory and statistics as the foundational core of artificial intelligence. He asserted the need for continual innovation in statistics to keep pace with evolving scenarios and technological advancements. Whether it concerns disciplinary progression or the enhancement of government statistics, he urged learning from cutting-edge research globally and collectively facing new challenges and application demands.

Cai Tianwen presented an overview of new trends in statistical development, underscoring the pivotal role statistics and data science are playing in the technological revolution. However, these fields also grapple with many new opportunities and challenges. While posing more questions, artificial intelligence also paves the way for interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation across various domains. He encouraged all scholars to actively contribute to pioneering new breakthroughs and hoped that the forum would serve as a wide-ranging platform for exchange and collaboration among scholars from diverse regions, backgrounds, and disciplines.

Keynote reports were delivered by Ma Zhiming and Xu Zongben, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Lin Xihong and Michael I. Jordan, academicians of the American Academy of Sciences; and Richard J. Samworth, an academician of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

Invited reports were made by Cai Tianxi from Harvard University, Liu Yueqin and Zhang Cunhui from Rutgers University, Wang Yazhen from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Yuan Ming from Columbia University, and Zhang Heping from Yale University. Additionally, over 150 scholars from around the world presented and discussed 38 parallel topics.

Highlighting the forum was initiating the “Proposal on Promoting the Innovation, Development, and Value Enhancement of Statistics and Data Science”, co-signed by more than 30 renowned statisticians globally. The initiative aims to advance fundamental statistical research and foster innovative talent. By leveraging data-driven intelligent decision-making, it seeks to support the construction of a digital China.