Why tune in?
Foster mutual understanding
About the Conference Series
- How can nations and regions build trust and peace in times when the spectre of conflict looms so large?
- How can the Global Majority continue to develop through cooperation and in the face of rising geo-political tensions?
- What is the role of China as a regional and global economic power and a contributor to global goods such as peace?
As humanity faces civilisational threats, any path forward will be defined by collaboration and conflict, and China will play an integral part—as a pioneer and role model, a competitor, a collaborator, an adversary, and a moderator.
This virtual conference series brings together leading experts to dive deeply into these questions and peer into a multi-polar future.
Part 1
One Belt One Road: What’s Next in the New Multi-Polar World Order?
Part 2
Geopolitics & Conflicts: Is China’s Balancing Act a Global Good?
Part 3
The Chinese Emphasis on Culture: Manifestation of Nationalism or a Return to Basics?
Speakers
A snapshot of our continually growing faculty, representing the best minds in business, economics, science, geopolitics, technology, policymaking, governance, and more.
Past Speakers
Conference Programme
Part 1: One Belt One Road: What’s Next in the New Multi-Polar World Order?
Time
Session
Time:
16:00 - 16:05
Session:
Time:
16:05 – 17:15
Session:
Panel 1
From Vision to Reality: Taking Stock of the Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the world’s largest ever infrastructure project, spanning over 140 countries, and is projected to significantly impact the livelihoods of approximately 3 out of 4 people worldwide. Its ongoing impact on the global economy, trade, and connectivity is immense.
With 2025 marking its twelfth year of inception, for many, the BRI has become a landmark effort of development, but to others, it may be viewed as an act of blatant economic imperialism.
Areas of discussion will include:
- Bridging the perceptions gap—does the world truly understand the motives behind the BRI? For example, to what extent does the shared humanity concept resonate
with others? - What has been the real impact on the countries and communities involved to date?
- What have been the major successes and shortcomings of the project so far? What lessons can the global community take away from the initiative?
- What truth is there if any to the “debt-trap diplomacy” narrative?
- Has the BRI prepared China for this trade war?
Time:
17:15 – 18:30
Session:
Panel 2
Charting the Future Path: What's Next for the BRI?
The global majority is slowly but surely inching towards common goals of human development, national security, and peace, buffeted by rapidly shifting winds from turbulent climates—both political and environmental.
By 2027, the aggregate expenditure on the BRI is predicted to reach up to USD 1.3 trillion, stimulating over 2,600 projects around the world.
What does the future hold for the BRI and for the international parties that are positioned to benefit and what are the risks?
- How effective is China’s international relationship in addressing future challenges, especially considering the recent tensions that are unravelling around globalisation
and trade? Are other nations beginning to rally around the BRI in the evolving new world order? - What are the plans for global co-operation moving forward for BRI, and what are the implications and opportunities for international stakeholders?
- Is BRI proving to be an effective conduit for developing and propagating sustainable infrastructure and green technologies swiftly and at scale to build a more connected world?
Time:
18:30 – 19:00
Session:
In partnership with
Register now to explore the future of China’s Belt & Road Initiative in a fractured global landscape.
More insight and resources
Catch up on key insights from GIFT past conference series—Watch, Read, and Explore!
