NEW DELHI, June 25 (ANI) — The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China, brought together leaders from more than 90 countries and regions, including 90 government leaders, 1,000 senior business executives, and 200 leaders of unicorns and technology pioneers.
The high-level gathering focused on trends shaping Asian economies and China’s economic outlook, as well as the role of entrepreneurship, the energy transition, and digital transformation in building more sustainable economic systems.
According to a news release from the World Economic Forum, the meeting, known as “Summer Davos,” welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang along with six heads of government. More than 1,800 global leaders from business, government, civil society, international organizations, and academia addressed the urgency of value creation.
The discussions centered on five key questions involving global prosperity, China’s economic trajectory, technology use, job creation for the next generation, and the alignment of energy and climate systems.
During his address, Li emphasized the global responsibility that comes with technological advancement.
“We should harness technology for good. Innovation drives humanity’s quest for a better life,” Li said. “Advanced technologies should serve as tools that benefit people across countries, rather than sources of chaos that undermine peace and stability. Technology progress should always reflect humanity’s common values and advance global peace and development.”
The forum noted that Asia is projected to account for more than half of global GDP growth in 2026, with China expected to contribute more than a quarter of global real GDP growth. Discussions highlighted that China’s economic trajectory will be driven by artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
At the same time, participants noted the widening gap between technological potential and real-world economic outcomes, as productivity growth remains sluggish in most economies.
Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, said the next stage of innovation must help close that gap.
“The next phase of innovation is about closing the gap between technological potential and real-world economic impact, to translate breakthroughs into tangible progress for industry and people,” Zwinggi said. “Innovating at scale requires partnership across a range of sectors, including government, business, and academia. The meeting in Dalian focused on practical solutions that deliver growth for all.”
Workforce transitions were also a major theme, with an estimated 40 percent of global employment exposed to artificial intelligence. Leaders examined how emerging technologies can accelerate industrial growth without leading to jobless growth, stressing that long-term expansion depends heavily on investments in education and skills.
Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the forum, said the true value of innovation lies in its impact on people.
“Innovation truly boosts economies once it reaches people and improves their lives, work, income and health. The next billion jobs will be created by the economies that invest as much in education, skills and entrepreneurship as in technology itself,” Zahidi said. (ANI)
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