Global Digital Economy Conference 2026 Officially Opens in Beijing

The Global Digital Economy Conference 2026 opened in Beijing, the capital of China, on Thursday (2/7), attended by company executives, business council representatives, and academics from within and outside China, as well as ministerial-level officials from Kazakhstan, Colombia, and Chad. At the opening ceremony, the Global Digital Economy City Alliance released the Global Digital Economy Cities Report 2026, which reviews how digital technology and cities shape each other and emphasises that digital technology must deliver tangible benefits to society, be useful for businesses, and be accessible to the public. Additionally, the Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Casebook 2026 was launched, a joint publication by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Trade Centre, and the Global Digital Economy City Alliance. The publication features 13 ‘lighthouse cases’ from various cities, including Beijing, Jakarta, Madrid, and Istanbul, covering six areas: collaborative digital urban governance, inclusive digital public services, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital technology-based public welfare enhancement, low-carbon smart mobility, and digital inclusion for vulnerable groups. Running until Sunday (5/7), the conference also features a series of topical sessions discussing artificial intelligence (AI), digital talent development, and industrial digitalisation. Since its inception in 2021, the conference has attracted participation from more than 10,000 companies and 150,000 participants from over 200 countries and international organisations, with 500 achievements published to date, according to the organising committee.