International Conference Update | Centre Coordinates Thematic Engagements Between Beijing Digital Economy Delegation and International Organizations

GENEVA / PARIS, April 2026

As the digital economy continues to reshape the global development landscape, the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Centre (GSLDC), in partnership with the Global Youth Leadership Development Council, recently facilitated a multilateral engagement mission to Geneva and Paris. The mission brought together representatives from Beijing’s digital economy ecosystem and key United Nations agencies to advance dialogue on digital governance and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the UN Global Digital Compact.

The visit was planned and implemented by the Centre, which oversaw itinerary design, agenda setting, and the coordination of high-level dialogues. During the mission, the delegation paid courtesy visits to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Local partners were also invited to the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference — Forum on Digital Economy Cooperation and Innovation, held on 31 March at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where a delegation representative hosted a “Beijing Night” cultural reception, promoting people-to-people exchange on the sidelines of the forum.

Through the thematic engagement platform established by the Centre, the delegation identified multiple areas of potential cooperation with international organisations in fields including digital governance frameworks, youth leadership, artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, digital trade facilitation, and the digital creative industries. These engagements connected Beijing’s digital economy expertise with the global networks, standard-setting capacity, and talent-development resources of the United Nations and its affiliated bodies.

During the visit, the Centre’s leadership also held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Moez Chakchouk, Executive Director of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). The two sides explored potential cooperation on youth empowerment at the AI for Good Global Summit, scheduled to take place in Geneva in July 2026.

The delegation comprised senior officials from Beijing municipal government agencies, secretariat representatives of the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40), executives from the Beijing Innovation Service Base for Digital Economy Enterprises Going Global, and leaders from digital economy enterprises operating across areas including digital research and development, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and the digital creative industries.

The Centre remains committed to facilitating sustained, inclusive dialogue between cities and international organisations, connecting local innovation with global governance frameworks in service of equitable and sustainable development.

(Photo: Forum on Digital Economy Cooperation and Innovation, 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference)

(Photo: Discussions with the relevant divisions of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau)

(Photo: Group photo following the meeting with UNCTAD)

(Photo: Group photo following the meeting with the International Trade Centre’s Office for Asia and the Pacific)

(Photo: Group photo of the delegation following discussions at UNESCO Headquarters)