2026 Summer Davos Forum Opens in Dalian with Record Attendance
The World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions — widely known as the Summer Davos Forum — officially opened on June 23, 2026, in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, drawing a record 1,700 participants from more than 90 countries and regions. The three-day gathering, themed “Innovation at Scale,” brings together global leaders to navigate a complex landscape of slowing economic growth, rising trade barriers, and rapid technological disruption.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a special address, underscoring the forum’s significance as it coincides with the first year of China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” (2026–2030). According to CCTV News, the forum features over 200 thematic sessions and more than 50 live-streamed public events across four floors of the Dalian International Conference Center.
A Forum at a Crossroads
The 2026 Summer Davos arrives at a pivotal moment for the global economy. The International Monetary Fund has projected global growth at 3.1% for the year, down from 3.4% in 2025, with rising geopolitical risks and trade fragmentation casting long shadows. As the World Economic Forum noted in its pre-forum press release, trade barriers have reached their highest level in a century, and supply chains are undergoing a fundamental restructuring.
Emerging markets are growing nearly three times faster than developed economies, with China and India projected to contribute over 43% of future global growth. This shifting center of economic gravity makes the forum’s location in Asia — and in China specifically — particularly resonant.
Five Core Themes
The forum’s agenda is organized around five critical questions, each addressing a dimension of the global economic transformation:
- Navigating shifting trade and industrial landscapes — Addressing trade fragmentation, supply chain restructuring, and the challenge of maintaining openness while building resilience
- Understanding China’s next development trajectory — Examining the “15th Five-Year Plan,” new quality productive forces, and China’s economic transformation
- Translating technology into real economic benefits — Overcoming barriers to AI implementation and productivity growth
- Creating jobs and opportunities for the next generation — Addressing AI’s impact on 40% of global jobs and workforce transformation
- Transforming energy and climate into competitive advantages — Balancing innovation with ecological limits
Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, emphasized the urgency of the moment: “Against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change, this year’s meeting provides an important opportunity for representatives from all sectors to explore practical solutions.”
AI Takes Center Stage
Artificial intelligence emerged as the dominant topic on the first day, with over 10 sessions directly related to AI. Discussions ranged from macro-level panels such as “AI Everywhere, But Not Overnight” to niche explorations including “AI and the Materials World” and “AI’s Water Dilemma.” According to the Tencent News report, the focus has shifted notably from previous years toward AI implementation challenges and real-world economic impact.
A notable art installation called “Clever Hans” — a computer-driven bionic white horse capable of detecting human micro-expressions, pupil changes, and body language to guess numbers people were thinking — raised provocative questions about the boundaries of autonomous decision-making when AI can read biological signals humans themselves are unaware of.
Record Participation and High-Level Attendance
The forum’s record attendance reflects strong international interest in engaging with China’s economic trajectory. Beyond Premier Li Qiang, high-level attendees include the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Guinea, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Montenegro. The forum is co-chaired by 14 global CEOs, including Robin Zeng of CATL, Zhang Wenfeng of State Grid Corporation of China, and Xie Chengrun of Sino Biopharmaceutical.
Gao Weiqi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation at China’s National Development and Reform Commission, framed the forum as a platform for international cooperation: “2026 is the first year of China’s ‘15th Five-Year Plan.’ China is relying on high-quality development to form stable expectations, continuously delivering momentum to the global market and boosting development confidence.”
Innovation Within Ecological Limits
A defining theme of this year’s forum is the tension between technological ambition and sustainability. André Hoffmann, Co-Chair of the WEF Board of Trustees, delivered a pointed message: “The core of achieving innovation at scale is not the upper limit of technological development, but the carrying capacity of the Earth’s ecosystems.” Hoffmann argued that true development requires凝聚 human wisdom, fulfilling common commitments, and taking responsibility for what ecosystems can no longer bear.
This perspective is reflected in the forum’s operations themselves. The main venue operates on 100% green electricity, and the transportation fleet includes over 600 new energy vehicles, 8 hydrogen-powered buses, and 6 L4 autonomous driving buses from WeRide — a first for the forum.
Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2026
The forum released its annual “Top 10 Emerging Technologies” report on opening day, identifying innovations most likely to reshape industries within 3–5 years. The list includes Internet of Everything Power Grids, Direct Lithium Extraction, Passive Radiative Cooling Materials, PFAS Degradation Technology, Precision Fermentation, Exosome Drug Delivery, Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccines, Quantum Simulation Drug Discovery, World Models, and Lattice Cryptography.
Social Equity and Livelihood Focus
In a notable shift, the forum has significantly increased the proportion of sessions dedicated to social equity and livelihood issues. Panels are addressing AI’s impact on workplace transformation, youth employment challenges, entry-level job transitions, and women’s opportunities in science and technology innovation. As Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, stated: “Today, the success of innovation at scale requires systemic change. The New Champions Meeting builds a platform that integrates entrepreneurial spirit, innovation momentum, and future growth paths.”
What to Watch
As the forum continues through June 25, several key questions remain: How will the discussions translate into concrete policy or business actions? What specific commitments will emerge regarding technology transfer and international cooperation? And how will China balance its “self-reliance” strategy with the forum’s emphasis on global collaboration?
The answers will shape not only the forum’s legacy but the trajectory of global economic cooperation in an era of unprecedented challenge and opportunity.