BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The World Conference on Science Literacy 2018 will be held in Beijing from Sept. 17 to 19, highlighting science literacy for a shared and better future, its organizer said Thursday.

Sponsored by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the conference aims to integrate resources, experiences, and strengths in promoting global public science literacy, said Huai Jinpeng, vice chairman of CAST.

"Public scientific literacy constitutes a country or region's cultural roots and deposits, decides its development, as well as influences its future," Huai said at a press conference on Thursday.

The conference is being held to encourage the global science and technology community to respond to future challenges and opportunities through advancing public science literacy.

The conference will include 1,500 international participants from the fields of science and technology, education, business, and media focussing on the pivotal role of public science literacy in building a community with a shared future for humanity and promoting the sustainable development of society.

It is expected to build consensus and foster international cooperation to establish a shared platform for the promotion of public science literacy.

The conference will be held alongside 2018 China Popular Science Day.

Around 300 million people are expected to participate more than 18,000 online and offline activities nationwide.???????????????