[Foreword] In 2020 CAS Annual Conference, the summary of CAS work in 2009 and road map in the near-future development was introduced, calling for further thinking on how CAS as China’s chief scientific agent could play a greater role in promoting China’s scientific and technology development.

“ITP will see itself as an international center for Tibetan Plateau research, platform for field observation and monitoring on the Tibetan plateau and service hub for Tibet regional development.” thus defined ITP director Prof. YAO Tandong about the strategic goal of ITP in 2020.

This call for ITP staff was made during the 2010 Strategic Development Conference of ITP during March 17-19, 2010, at Beijing, which witnessed the summary of ITP’s work in 2009 and general layout in ITP’s direction of effort in 2020.

Prof. Yao proposed six streams of thoughts in conducting a road map for 2020, as to broaden horizons in research layout, establish bigger stages for international cooperation, rely on larger community to enhance research strength, seek for wider common ground among Tibetan plateau related subjects, yield higher-level scientific results and promote international influence.

Four aspects in ITP development were also emphasized and found common ground among research staff. In practice, there would be more opportunities for talents, and more cooperation for integrated research. Besides, the work of ITP in 2020 expected more contribution to regional development and more appealing to scientific staff, both at home and abroad.

Discussion among ITP staff finally highlighted three fields in 2020 ITP work of effect, including 1) how to promote ITP into an international Tibetan plateau research center; 2) how to acquire data of better quality and more significant usage for Tibetan Plateau research from field stations; and 3) how to better serve regional development and social wellbeing with scientific research on the Tibetan Plateau.