On October 17, 2025, the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (hereafter referred to as the “Alliance”) was invited to attend the 2025 United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council and the special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the “Bridge for Cities” Initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Xi’an. It co-hosted the high-level meeting themed “Cities as Engines for Digital Industrial Transformation” with UNIDO. As the first high-level meeting co-hosted by the Alliance with an international organization since its establishment in July 2025, the event marks the Alliance’s official debut on the international stage, which received wide recognition.
Built on the remarkable achievements of the Global Digital Economy Conference, the Alliance stands as a high-level multilateral consultative platform and international non-profit organization jointly initiated by Beijing and over 40 digital economy-friendly cities worldwide. With cities as its core members, it attracts extensive participation from international organizations, multinational enterprises, research institutions, and other stakeholders. Focused on advancing urban sustainability through digital technologies, the Alliance strives to forge a new platform for international cooperation in the era of digital civilization through urban cluster collaboration, industrial ecosystem co-development, and digital governance innovation.
At the meeting, Beijing showcased its achievements in becoming a global leader in the digital economy, shared its successful experience and exemplary practices in digital economic development, and highlighted AI product experience cases under the Beijing General Artificial Intelligence Innovation Partnership Program 2.0. This reflected Beijing’s open and pragmatic approach to advancing the global digital economy, offering a model that can be replicated and promoted by cities worldwide. These efforts also contributed “Beijing wisdom” to the UN’s pursuit of inclusive digital economic development, earning positive recognition and fostering a willingness to cooperate from UNIDO representatives.
