People attend a forum on digital economy cooperation and innovation during the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 31, 2026. A forum on digital economy cooperation and innovation, part of the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference, explored pathways to jointly build a digitally friendly future. More than 150 representatives from government, business, academia and international organizations attended the event, held on Tuesday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, for in-depth discussions on frontier trends, international cooperation, and pathways for shared development in the digital economy. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
GENEVA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A forum on digital economy cooperation and innovation, part of the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference, explored pathways to jointly build a digitally friendly future.
More than 150 representatives from government, business, academia and international organizations attended the event, held on Tuesday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, for in-depth discussions on frontier trends, international cooperation, and pathways for shared development in the digital economy.
In his opening remarks, Francis Gurry, chairman of the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40), a co-host of the event, said that at a time when cooperation between countries is stalled, cooperation between cities offers new opportunities.
He noted that the alliance offers the opportunity for sharing experience and technological and management know-how and plays an important role in capacity building.
Shen Jian, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, highlighted the significance of the digital economy for deepening international cooperation and promoting shared development in his speech.
As the sector grows, strengthening global governance becomes increasingly important, he said.
China is ready to promote global consensus, cooperation and mutual trust through the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, while supporting a more effective global digital governance system through the Global Governance Initiative, he added.
Only through a commitment to openness, win-win cooperation as well as deeper technological and industrial collaboration, can the benefits of the digital economy be shared more broadly, said Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, in a speech delivered via video.
Beijing is ready to work with global partners to make the digital economy a bridge connecting the world, he said.
During the forum, DEC40 announced the launch of its Geneva office and the addition of 11 Chinese and Swiss companies to its membership, among several other new developments.
Also announced at the event were a number of flagship programs to be initiated by DEC40 in collaboration with international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union, the International Trade Centre, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
These programs include the joint release of global digital economy lighthouse cases and an international innovation competition focused on AI-generated content.
The forum also featured multiple discussion sessions on emerging trends and international cooperation frameworks in the digital economy.
Jointly initiated by Beijing and over 40 other cities worldwide in July 2025, DEC40 is dedicated to narrowing the global digital divide through technical innovation, transfer, co-creation and sharing, and contributing to the achievement of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference is scheduled to take place in Beijing in early July, with a focus on building digitally friendly cities, alongside the latest outcomes in digital technology application and industrial development. ■
People attend a forum on digital economy cooperation and innovation during the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 31, 2026.
A forum on digital economy cooperation and innovation, part of the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference, explored pathways to jointly build a digitally friendly future.
More than 150 representatives from government, business, academia and international organizations attended the event, held on Tuesday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, for in-depth discussions on frontier trends, international cooperation, and pathways for shared development in the digital economy. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
