The World Economic Forum convened its 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC 2025) in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, from 24–26 June under the theme “Entrepreneurship for a New Era.” The event brought together more than 1,700 participants from over 90 countries, including heads of state and government, business leaders, civil society representatives, international organizations, media, and academia.
The discussions explored how entrepreneurship and innovation can help revitalize global growth amid fast-paced geo-economic shifts and technological disruption. The program emphasized practical strategies to scale transformative technologies, foster new business models, and strengthen international partnerships, with a particular focus on emerging markets, especially China and Asia.
Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, stated:
“Despite the profound changes in the global economy, the interconnected challenges we face call for joint solutions. This meeting brought together a diverse set of leaders to explore innovative entrepreneurial approaches capable of shaping sustainable economies of the future.”
Chen Shuai, Deputy Director-General of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting the Forum and hosting the “Summer Davos.” He highlighted the country’s achievements in pursuing high-quality development and greater openness to the world.
Key Participants
The meeting drew more than 144 high-level political leaders from around 30 countries and regions, including 40 ministers. Eleven global leaders from government and the private sector chaired key sessions, such as:
Rania Al-Mashat – Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Egypt
Noor Ali Alkhulaif – Minister of Sustainable Development, Bahrain
Richard Liu Qiangdong – Founder and Chairman, JD.com, China
Li Dongsheng – Chairman, TCL, China
Dai Houliang – Chairman, CNPC, China
They were joined by CEOs and senior executives from leading global corporations and institutions.
Core Themes
The program revolved around five main pillars:
Decoding the Global Economy – Examining projected global growth (2.8% in 2025) and the role of innovation as a new growth driver.
China’s Economic Outlook – Assessing the country’s technology-driven development model and leading sectors.
Transforming Industries – Exploring how industries adapt to technological, geopolitical, and environmental shifts.
Investing in People and Planet – Accelerating the UN Sustainable Development Goals through multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Energy and New Materials – Addressing strategies to secure energy and essential materials for sustainable growth.
Side Events and Reports
Over 40 sessions were livestreamed to the public, including the opening plenary and discussions on trade, geopolitics, and artificial intelligence. The Forum also launched several key reports during the meeting, such as:
Energy Transition Index 2025
Top 10 Emerging Technologies
Future of Global FinTech Report
Li Wenhai, Vice Mayor of Tianjin, noted:
“The Meeting of the New Champions has provided valuable insights and renewed momentum to support stable global economic growth. Tianjin welcomed global leaders on the shores of Bohai Bay to enrich dialogue and exchange forward-looking ideas.”