Conference on intelligently interconnected digital economy opens in Beijing

The 2026 Conference on Sustainable Development of Global Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy, alongside the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC) 2026, opens in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the World Internet of Things Convention]

The 2026 Conference on Sustainable Development of Global Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy, alongside the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC) 2026, opened in Beijing on Nov. 3. Discussions at the conference focused on how intelligent connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) can improve people's lives and advance sustainable development.

The event gathered government officials, business leaders and experts from over 60 countries, including China, Russia, Switzerland, India, France, Uganda, Kazakhstan, the Republic of the Congo and Mongolia. Attendees also included representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the International Telecommunication Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a congratulatory letter.

In a video address, Amandeep Singh Gill, United Nations under-secretary-general and special envoy for digital and emerging technologies, said the value of IoT lies not merely in connecting billions of devices, but in creating meaningful connections that improve people's lives, strengthen resilience and advance sustainable development.

Intelligent connectivity should not become a new source of inequality, but rather a force for inclusive development, enabling every community to participate in and benefit from the digital transformation, he said.

For years, the WIOTC has been committed to bringing together governments, businesses, researchers and international organizations to promote dialogue and cooperation in pursuit of these shared goals. Such collaboration is more important than ever amid rapid technological change, Gill added.

He Xuming, chairman of the WIOTC Executive Committee, said in his keynote report, themed "A World of Smart Interconnection, A Future of Win-Win Cooperation," that industrial transformation and socioeconomic change driven by next-generation IoT and AI technologies are reshaping the world and ushering in a new era of intelligence.

Starting this year, the conference will provide strategic advisory services on digital economy and social development for national and local governments and businesses worldwide. It will also offer advanced digital economy models and market frameworks to help governments establish innovation centers for the intelligently interconnected digital economy.

The conference will further strengthen cooperation with international standards organizations and certification bodies to jointly develop globally applicable standards for the intelligently interconnected digital economy and provide related certification services, He said.

Zhang Ping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said in a report titled "Token Circulation and Semantic Measurement in the Foundation of an Intelligently Interconnected World" that as next-generation communication networks, including 5G and 6G, converge with computing power networks, the future intelligent connectivity will need to go beyond resource connectivity, coordination and intelligent decision-making.

It will also require service systems that support measurement, settlement and operation, he said.

The conference also saw the release of the "Blue Paper on the Sustainable Development of the Global Digital Economy."

Other highlights included the unveiling of outstanding cases of intelligently interconnected digital economy and the presentation of the Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy Awards, recognizing achievements and innovations in the sector.