The 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC) opened in Beijing on July 2, bringing together government officials, corporate executives, scholars, and technology companies to explore the development of digital-friendly cities and the next phase of the global digital economy. The conference runs through July 6 under the theme "Building a Digital-Friendly City: Inclusive Intelligence, Borderless Connectivity."
Conference Structure and Highlights
According to China Economic Net (CEN), the event includes an opening ceremony, a main forum dedicated to digital-friendly cities, and thematic sessions covering artificial intelligence, digital talent, and industrial digitalization. A concurrent Digital Economy Industry Expo features demonstrations of humanoid robots, large AI models, and other cutting-edge digital technologies.
On the opening day, two key publications were released: the 2026 Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Casebook and the Global Digital-Friendly City Evaluation Guidelines. These documents provide reference frameworks for digital development and are intended to guide cities and countries in their digital transformation efforts.
Relevance for Pakistan
Pakistani visitor Ahmad Shahzad told CEN that the event could be highly useful for countries such as Pakistan as they seek to expand IT exports, improve digital infrastructure, and learn from smart-city practices. He noted that platforms like GDEC offer opportunities to observe new technologies, meet potential partners, and gain a better understanding of digital-economy trends that are shaping regional cooperation.
Global Participation and History
Since its inception in 2021, GDEC has attracted more than 10,000 companies and 150,000 participants from over 200 countries and international organizations, underscoring its role as a major global platform for digital economy dialogue and collaboration.
