Discover the themes driving the discussions

The programme will be complemented by exhibitions and experiences showcasing the intersection of art, culture, science and technology, curated in partnership with the host city, Dalian.


The programme will examine the following questions:

How can we align energy and climate systems to drive competitiveness?

6 Sessions

As populations and their energy needs grow, particularly in the fastest-growing emerging economies, the demand for cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy systems is intensifying. Countries that master this transition stand to gain a significant competitive advantage, while those that fall behind risk both economic decline and ecological damage. At the same time, the pressures on natural systems, from biodiversity loss to water scarcity, are compounding in ways that affect long-term economic viability. The challenge is to align energy innovation with broader industrial strategy, protect the natural capital on which prosperity depends and ensure the transition drives growth and employment.

How can technology be harnessed for outcomes in the real economy?

12 Sessions

Despite record levels of investment in AI, quantum computing and biotechnology, productivity growth in most economies remains sluggish. The gap between technological possibility and economic reality is widening. In high-growth emerging markets, firms confront stubborn barriers to adoption: outdated regulatory frameworks, fragmented market structures and skills mismatches. The question for leaders is what must change in industrial strategy, regulation and corporate practice to accelerate the deployment of existing technologies.

How can growth create jobs and opportunities for the next generation?

7 Sessions

Growth is a necessary condition for job creation, but it is not sufficient on its own. An estimated 40% of global employment is exposed to AI, underscoring the scale of workforce transition ahead. Meeting this challenge requires more than capital. It demands investment in the enabling infrastructure, education, skills and regulatory environments that allow entrepreneurship to flourish and new industries to take root. Tourism, agriculture, value-added manufacturing and the digital economy all offer significant employment potential, but only if governments, businesses and investors align with strategies that encourage job creation and ensure that technological progress expands growth opportunities.

How can we build prosperity amid shifting geo-economic and industrial realities?

10 Sessions

The map of global economic activity is being redrawn. Trade and industrial policy are increasingly shaping where technologies scale, where investment flows and how supply chains are configured. Governments are taking a more active role in directing capital, setting standards and protecting critical industries. The result is a more contested economic landscape in which the rules of engagement are shifting faster than many institutions can adapt. For leaders at every stage of development, the challenge is to strengthen domestic capabilities while preserving openness and cooperation essential to long-term prosperity.

How can we understand the next phase of China’s economic trajectory?

10 Sessions

China’s pursuit of stability and “new quality productive forces” is reshaping its industrial base and, by extension, international value chains. The government’s drive to lead in strategic emerging industries and future technologies – from clean energy manufacturing to advanced semiconductors – combines industrial policy with massive domestic markets and rapid iteration. Yet the country’s economic trajectory also faces structural challenges in property, demographics and debt. The evolution of China’s innovation model will influence growth across Asia and beyond, reshape government and business strategy, and test the boundaries of international economic cooperation.