 The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2023 Tianjin, China, from June 27-29 (photo: Reuters) |
WEF Tianjin is organized annually by the WEF and the Chinese government. It’s the second largest meeting after WEF Davos in Switzerland. Because it’s held in the summer, WEF Tianjin is also known as the "Summer Davos Forum". Themed “Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy”, this year's forum carries a new spirit and ambition to boost global economy through transnational business strategies.
Cooperation: the only way to resolve pressing global issues
The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum takes place with the world undergoing a profound transformation in economic structures, geopolitics, and technology which are challenging traditional models. Easing the transition and forming a more sustainable, resilient, and cohesive world will require entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Klaus Schwab, the WEF’s Founder and Executive Chairman, said the meeting is an opportunity to foster innovation and strengthen collaborative efforts globally. WEF President Borge Brende said that because we’re living in a fractured, fragmented world, the WEF believes the most pressing global issues can only be solved by collaborating.
In his opening speech on Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that over the past three years, countries have made great efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It showed the great power of humanity to unite and care for each other in difficult times. Li called on countries to value the benefits of cooperation and together resolve global challenges and promote human advancement. Countries should make persistent efforts to uphold fairness and justice, protect common security, and maintain a peaceful and stable development environment, said Mr. Li.
Seeking sustainable economic recovery and development
This year’s forum focuses on new areas and elevates the role of emerging economies. Delegates discussed six main topics: growth recovery, China in the global context, energy and materials transition, natural and climate protection, consumers in the post-pandemic period, and innovation implementation. 1,500 leaders of government, business, civil society, and international organizations attended the forum.
 WEF President Borge Brende (photo: VNA) |
WEF President Borge Brende said that the WEF is focused on ways to combat climate change and new technology applications. Forum participants said green energy, advanced technology, and inclusivity can ensure global economic recovery.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who puts climate issues at the center of the country's economy, said New Zealand prioritizes clean, green, and sustainable production. He added that economic growth depends on a trading system based on international rules, and called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) a successful example of multilateral cooperation.
Premier Li said China will carry out measures to promote cooperation, accelerate the green transformation, and attract foreign investment in high-tech manufacturing.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called on countries to invest in promising sectors and see if they can centralize and diversify supply chains to bring these sectors into world trade. She mentioned green trade and digital services as two growth sectors that can help more people share in economic prosperity.
WEF is a prestigious and effective global forum that attracts the leaders of most major countries, international organizations, and corporations.