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2026 Forum on Corporate Globalization and Sustainable Development held in Beijing
The 2026 Forum on Corporate Globalization and Sustainable Development was held in Beijing, bringing together global leaders, enterprises, and international organizations to advance Chinese brand globalization, sustainable development, and international cooperation.
5/12/20263 min read
The “2026 Forum on Corporate Globalization and Sustainable Development” was successfully held on May 9 at the Media Center in Beijing, bringing together representatives from the United Nations system, international organizations, enterprises, academia, and media to discuss Chinese brand globalization, international cooperation, sustainable development, and global resource connectivity.
Approximately 200 guests attended the event.
The conference was jointly organized by the City Public Art Research Institute and the China Brand Innovation and Development Project, with support from the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) and Global City Connect (GCC). Qingdao Logistics Packaging Standardization Technology Research Institute served as co-organizer.
Strengthening International Cooperation and Sustainable Development
In his keynote remarks, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China Stephen Jackson highlighted the growing international competitiveness of Chinese enterprises in areas such as renewable energy, digital innovation, and infrastructure development.
He noted that Chinese companies have made important contributions to global sustainable development and emphasized the importance of international cooperation and resource sharing amid a rapidly changing global economic environment. He also spoke positively about GCC’s role in promoting international exchange and practical project cooperation.
Dr. Djibril Diallo, former spokesperson for the President of the United Nations General Assembly, President of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN), and Chairman of GCC Africa City Hubs, stated that Africa is entering a period of major opportunity in renewable energy, digital economy, and urban infrastructure development.
He emphasized that China-Africa cooperation is entering a new stage and expressed his commitment to promoting youth exchange, industrial cooperation, and international public welfare initiatives between China and Africa.
GCC Expands Global Cooperation Network
Chen Jie, Acting Director of the City Public Art Research Institute, stated that GCC will continue strengthening its role as an international cooperation platform by building a global city partnership network connecting Chinese enterprises with overseas governments, industrial parks, international organizations, and local enterprises.
He emphasized that GCC aims not only to serve as an exchange platform, but also as a practical mechanism supporting project implementation, industrial cooperation, and global resource integration — helping Chinese enterprises move from simply “going global” to truly “integrating globally.”
Chen also noted that in today’s increasingly complex international economic environment, strengthening people-to-people exchanges and city-level cooperation has become increasingly important for the internationalization of Chinese enterprises.
Building a Global Service System for Chinese Enterprises
Martin Wang, Founder and Executive President of GCC and former Vice President of the United Nations Correspondents Association, introduced GCC’s latest international development progress.
He stated that GCC has already established or advanced City Hubs in Vietnam, the United States, Canada, Japan, and across the African continent, while planning to establish at least 20 international City Hubs worldwide this year.
Wang explained that GCC has already established a database of enterprises seeking international expansion opportunities and is building professional service systems covering compliance support, international branding, global communication, project implementation, and overseas resource integration.
Li Nan, Secretary-General of the China Brand Innovation and Development Project, noted that Chinese brand globalization is entering a new stage, shifting from “product export” toward “brand value export.”
He announced the launch of the “China Brand Globalization Documentary Series,” which will tell the stories of Chinese enterprises expanding globally from an international communication perspective. He also announced that the 7th “China Brands Entering the United Nations” event will be held in September this year.
Launch of GCC Brand Department and New International Initiatives
During the event, GCC officially launched its Brand Department, which will focus on:
International brand communication
Cross-cultural cooperation
International event planning
Global branding research
International public relations
The department will work closely with GCC’s global City Hub network to strengthen international communication capabilities for Chinese enterprises.
Several new initiatives were also launched during the event, including:
2026 Enterprise Globalization and Sustainable Development Promotion Program
China Brand Globalization Documentary Series
China Brand Support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Initiative
Entrepreneurs attending the conference also shared practical experiences in international brand expansion, highlighting how Chinese enterprises are increasingly moving from “product export” toward “brand globalization” and “value globalization.”
Participants widely agreed that amid ongoing changes in global supply chains, industrial restructuring, and international market dynamics, Chinese enterprises are entering a new phase of international opportunity. Strengthening international cooperation platforms, global communication capabilities, and professional support systems will become increasingly important for promoting high-quality global expansion of Chinese brands.
Foreign guests attending the conference included Abdourahmane Diouf, Chargé d’Affaires of Senegal to China, and Hoyna Fernandez, Chargé d’Affaires of Honduras to China.