Core Points - Cheng Lijing, a researcher from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was awarded the UNESCO Alfonsi Prize for his significant contributions to ocean climate change research [1][3] - His research provides critical scientific basis for climate risk assessment and human adaptation and mitigation of climate change [1] Group 1 - Cheng Lijing has developed multiple ocean data processing technologies to address the bottleneck of insufficient oceanic basic data, creating a widely adopted long-term, multi-variable ocean observation grid dataset [1] - This dataset reveals changes in core physical parameters of the ocean, such as temperature, heat content, salinity, and stratification, since 1960, providing solid scientific evidence for understanding global climate change [1] - Cheng has received several honors, including the Nicholas P. Fofonoff Award and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Youth Scientist Award [1] Group 2 - Cheng serves as the coordinating lead author for the Seventh Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and as the chief author of the comprehensive volume of the Fifth National Climate Change Assessment Report [3] - He is also the co-chair of the International Ocean Quality Control Dataset Program and a member of the editorial working group for the National Science Review [3] - The UNESCO Alfonsi Prize, established in 2021, recognizes outstanding young scientists in STEM fields who contribute to capacity building and socio-economic development, awarded biennially to five young researchers [3]

Core Points - The UNESCO-ALFUZAN International Award for Outstanding Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics was awarded to Chinese scientist Cheng Lijing for his contributions to marine climate change research [2][3] - Cheng's work includes developing ocean data processing technologies, studying historical changes in ocean heat content, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, and understanding the Earth's energy balance and water cycle evolution [3] - The award aims to recognize young scientists' contributions to scientific and socio-economic development at national, regional, and global levels [3] Summary by Categories - **Award Details** - The ALFUZAN Award was established in 2021 by UNESCO and the Abdullah Al-Fuzan Education Foundation, awarded biennially to five young professionals in STEM fields [3] - **Cheng Lijing's Contributions** - Cheng's research provides critical evidence for assessing risks and adapting to climate change, supporting sustainable development goals and global climate policy decisions [3] - He aims to raise awareness of marine climate change as a niche discipline and hopes to contribute further to marine climate research and climate governance [3] - **Other Award Recipients** - This year, four other awardees from Cyprus, Morocco, Namibia, and Peru were recognized for their contributions in areas such as empowering youth through science education, developing breast cancer risk prediction tools, and biodiversity research [3]

Core Points - The UNESCO-Alfuzan International Prize for Young Scientists in STEM was awarded to Cheng Lijing from the Chinese Academy of Sciences for his contributions to ocean climate change research [1] - Cheng's work includes developing ocean data processing technologies, studying historical changes in ocean heat content, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, and understanding the Earth's energy balance and water cycle evolution [1] - The award aims to draw more attention to the field of ocean climate change and support sustainable development goals [1] - Four other awardees from Cyprus, Morocco, Namibia, and Peru were recognized for their contributions in empowering youth through science education, developing breast cancer risk prediction tools, and biodiversity research [2] Summary by Categories Award Details - The Alfuzan Prize was established in 2021 by UNESCO and the Abdullah Al-Fozan Educational Foundation, awarded biennially to five young workers in STEM fields [2] - The prize recognizes contributions to scientific and socio-economic development at national, regional, and global levels [2] Contributions of Cheng Lijing - Cheng Lijing's research provides critical evidence for assessing risks and adapting to climate change [1] - He coordinates with international peers to enhance ocean data quality and constructs high-quality grid datasets [1] - His work supports global climate adaptation and mitigation policy decisions [1]