As one of the flagship events of the 2025 “Wisdom Haidian” Talent Week, the Global Young Leaders Dialogue Annual Forum 2025 was held in Haidian District, Beijing. The event brought together 150 young participants from more than 40 countries, representing diverse sectors and professional backgrounds. This year, the forum was hosted by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), with strong support from the Haidian District Human Resources Bureau and the Haidian District Foreign Affairs Office. Under the theme “Decoding the Future with Young Minds,” this year’s forum focused on topics including the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the future landscape of “AI+” and international cooperation, and how young people can leverage technology to address global challenges. During the event, Haidian District and CCG jointly launched the STEM Pathways Hub, aiming to support international young talent in integrating into China’s innovation ecosystem and pursuing their ambitions.
This year’s forum received nearly 300 applications from young professionals across more than 50 countries, from which nearly 30 outstanding Young Leaders were selected. These Young Leaders came from 21 countries, including Brazil, France, Italy, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Russia, Singapore, the United States, and Türkiye, among others. In addition to the young delegates, the forum also brought together senior experts from international organizations, government agencies, research institutions, and leading global enterprises. They gathered in Haidian to jointly explore the future of international cooperation driven by science, technology, and innovation.
Dr. Mabel Lu MIAO, Co-founder and Secretary-General of CCG, delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the organizer. She noted that over the past five years, the Global Young Leaders Dialogue has grown into an important international exchange mechanism connecting young leaders from around the world. It has provided valuable opportunities for young people to understand global affairs with a cross-cultural mindset, participate in international dialogue, and strengthen innovation-driven collaboration. Dr. Miao emphasized that hosting the Global Young Leaders Dialogue Annual Forum for the first time in Haidian—China’s leading hub of innovation—offers young leaders from different countries a unique opportunity to closely observe and actively engage in China’s vibrant ecosystem of technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Liu Yong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of the CPPCC Beijing Haidian District Committee, emphasized that Haidian—as the core area of Beijing’s International Science and Technology Innovation Center and the demonstration zone for young talent innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems—enjoys unparalleled advantages in innovation. He noted that hosting this year’s forum in Haidian is an important demonstration of the district’s open, inclusive, and dynamic innovation ecosystem. Liu highlighted the vital role of young people in fostering mutual understanding, promoting cross-cultural exchange, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He warmly welcomed outstanding young talents from around the world to choose Beijing, root themselves in Haidian, and jointly write a new chapter of high-quality development.
Ms. Amakobe Sande, UNICEF Representative to China, noted that while young people are actively contributing to global technological transformation through innovation, the digital divide remains significant—particularly for women and marginalized groups. She called for building a more equitable digital future and emphasized that technologies such as AI, if not properly governed, may further widen inequalities. She urged global young leaders to take part in technology governance, promote digital inclusion, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration.
Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, shared his remarks via video message. He noted that the world is facing intertwined challenges such as climate change, inequality, and technological disruption. Yet, when guided by ethics and empathy, technology can become a force for unity and development. He emphasized that the United Nations views young people as true “partners” and called for their continued engagement in global governance, sustainable development, and other critical areas.
Dr. Ya-Qin Zhang, Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) at Tsinghua University, presented an analysis of emerging trends in artificial intelligence and showcased its latest applications in areas such as transportation and healthcare. He noted that AI is becoming a central engine driving industrial and societal transformation. While AI brings tremendous opportunities, it also raises governance challenges. He called on young people to maintain a spirit of reflection amid innovation and to advance the responsible development and application of technology.
Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of the CCG, offered an in-depth analysis of the emerging trend of green globalization. He shared key insights from China’s upcoming “15th Five-Year Plan,” highlighting its commitments to green development and international cooperation, as well as China’s leading role in advancing global green transformation. Dr. Wang encouraged young people from all countries to actively participate in promoting the global green transition and to engage more deeply with China’s development.
The Forum also featured the launch of STEM Pathways Hub. The initiative was jointly inaugurated by GAO Zhiyong, Deputy Director of the Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Overseas Chinese and Foreign Affairs of the Beijing Municipal Committee of CPPCC, First-Class Inspector, and Vice President and Secretary-General of the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges; CUI Dingyu, Director of the Haidian District Human Resources Bureau and Deputy Director of the Organization Department of the CPC Haidian District Committee; JIANG Pengcheng, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division of the Beijing Municipal Talent Work Bureau; QIN Qi, Deputy Director of the Haidian District Foreign Affairs Office; XU Ziwen, Chief of the Exit-Entry Administration Brigade of Haidian Sub-Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau; XU Xia, General Manager of Beijing Strong Science Park Development & Construction Co., Ltd.; and Mabel Lu MIAO, Co-founder and Secretary General of CCG, Deputy Director-General of the Alliance of Global Talent Organizations (AGTO), and Founder of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) Program, together with Olesia Ermakova, platform lead and alumni of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community. Leveraging Haidian’s strong technology ecosystem and CCG’s international talent resources, the platform aims to build a global network for young innovators to foster mutual support and cross-cultural exchange, helping them pursue innovation and entrepreneurship in China. The platform’s first physical base will be established at Zhong Guan Cun No. 1.
The Forum also featured two thematic forums, titled “Young Leaders’ Strategies: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems” and “Young Leaders’ Solutions: Technology and AI Addressing Global Challenges.” The first thematic forum focused on building innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems for young people. Mr. Yu Teng, the 9th “Haiying Talent” and CEO of Thewake Systems Co., Ltd. delivered an inspiring keynote speech in which he shared his experience of innovation and entrepreneurship in Haidian. Following his remarks, two senior panelists—Mr. James B Heimowitz, Vice Chair of the Alliance of Global Talent Organizations (AGTO), and Mr. David Zhang, Director of Global Integration at Project Management Institute (PMI) China—joined six young leaders from Brazil, Ecuador, France, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States, for an in-depth dialogue on building a supportive ecosystem for young talents’ innovation and entrepreneurship.
The speakers exchanged views on topics such as “what defines a strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem for young people?” and “how can governments, universities, and enterprises work together to support young talents’ innovation?” They agreed that building an open and inclusive innovation environment requires strong cross-sector collaboration, improved mechanisms for technology transfer, and young people-friendly policies. At the same time, young people should become active participants, creators, and beneficiaries of the innovation ecosystem. Only by fostering mutual learning and collaborative development among global young professionals can innovation truly take root and flourish.
The second thematic forum focused on the application of technology and artificial intelligence in areas such as global governance and environmental protection. Ms. Zhang Yunqi, Vice President of Huajian Group, delivered an inspiring keynote speech, sharing the company’s long-term efforts in Africa to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, enhance youth skills, and create employment opportunities. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring three senior experts—Ms. An Shuo, Co-founder and General Manager of Huasheng Technology Group; Dr. Ali Al-Assam, Managing Director of NewsSocial; and Mr. Lei Fengyun, former Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Chinese Embassy in Austria and Chief Representative of the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP)’s Representative Office in the UK—together with seven young leaders from Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Pakistan, the United States, and Türkiye. They jointly explored innovative technological solutions to global challenges.
The thematic forum explored questions such as “how can young leaders leverage technology and AI to tackle global challenges?” and “why must the international community develop shared standards for AI—and which priorities should come first?” The speakers agreed that for technology to truly serve the global public good, AI governance must be grounded in ethics, fairness, and transparency. They emphasized the need to strengthen cross-border and cross-sector collaboration mechanisms in major areas including climate change and energy transition, while also expanding meaningful youth participation in global governance. The panel concluded that a global technology collaboration network centered on young talent is becoming an important driving force for sustainable development and international cooperation.
In addition to the Annual Forum, on November 20, the Young Leaders were also invited to participate in CCG’s flagship event—the 10th China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum, where several representatives of Young Leaders engaged in dialogue with senior experts through interactive Q&A sessions. Over the past two days, CCG also organized a series of enriching supporting activities, including field visits to the Yenching Academy of Peking University, Silicon Park, and the Zhongguancun Science City (Haidian District) Planning Exhibition Hall. A welcoming icebreaking reception was hosted at Zhong Guan Cun No. 1, followed by a thematic workshop on “The Future Landscape of AI+ and International Cooperation” at the AI Genesis Community. The Young Leaders also enjoyed an authentic taste of hot pot at Banu Hotpot.
Many of the participating young representatives noted that, with its diverse group of attendees and forward-looking agenda, the Dialogue not only strengthened the voice and influence of international young talents in global governance, but also showcased China—and Haidian District in particular—as a leading global hub of innovation. They highlighted Haidian’s openness in fostering international talent exchange and advancing scientific and technological cooperation, recognizing it as an ecosystem where global young talent can connect, collaborate, and contribute to shaping the future.
Editor:Cai Xiaohui
