Kunshan, China, August 2024 — During the period of August 21 to 23, 2024, the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) big science program hosted its 14th Executive Committee Meeting and 5th Science Committee Meeting concurrently in Kunshan, China, where the DDE Secretariat locates at. The meetings were highly productive and well-received by participants.

The hybrid format of the meetings, combining online and offline participation, was organized by the DDE Secretariat and supported by the Suzhou Deep-Time Digital Earth Research Center. Attendees praised the organization and execution of the events.

Given the need for the Executive Committee to review and make decisions on proposals submitted by the Science Committee, the 5th Science Committee Meeting took place prior to the Executive Committee Meeting. During the Science Committee Meeting, members heard final reports from the first round of DDE R&D Project teams, discussed and reviewed applications for the second round R&D Projects and Seed Grant Fund Projects, and provided evaluation comments.

The meeting also evaluated midterm reports from DDE working groups and task groups, assigning scores to each. Additionally, the meeting finalized the membership list for the second term DDE Science Committee, marking it as the inaugural meeting of this new committee.

On the Executive Committee side, the 14th Executive Committee Meeting was designated as the first plenary session of the second term DDE Executive Committee. A major focus of the meeting was determining the composition and responsibilities of the new Executive Committee. The committee members thoroughly discussed the results of various evaluations submitted by the Science Committee and made final decisions.

The meeting reviewed applications for the establishment of a new DDE Research Center of Excellence and new working groups and task groups. It also heard reports on work progress to date in 2024 and plans for the next phase. Specific tasks related to the international promotion and scientific operations of DDE were systematically deployed and advanced during the meeting.

The success of these meetings underscores the ongoing commitment of DDE to advancing deep Earth science through collaboration and innovation.