At a critical juncture for the world economy, over 1 700 global leaders from government, business, academia, civil society, international organisations and media gathered at the World Economic Forum’s 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025.

The event concluded in Tianjin, China, yesterday. 

Through high-level dialogues and action-oriented discussions, the meeting helped leaders navigate the new geo-economic context, crafted new business models, and forged new partnerships to fully realise the potential of emerging technologies and unlock new levers for growth.

Under the theme ‘Entrepreneurship for a New Era’, next-generation leaders and entrepreneurs, including those from the Innovator, Unicorn, Technology Pioneers and New Champions communities, explored how to harness the power of emerging technologies and entrepreneurship in relation to economic resilience, industry transformation and sustainability. 

Sessions focussed special attention on emerging markets as well as the trends shaping Asian economies and China’s economic outlook.

“In a shifting global landscape, technology is the key to driving shared progress,” said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and interim of the board of trustees at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

“In a world marked by increasing fragmentation, only through co-creation and deep collaboration across sectors and regions can we build resilient solutions that benefit all,” said Børge Brende, president and CEO of the WEF.

“Changes and transformations are often accompanied by restructuring and reshaping,” said Li Qiang, premier of the People’s Republic of China. 

“The world economy of tomorrow will not be a simple repetition of stories of the past,” he stated.

“Collectively, I think we can make a difference,” said Lawrence Wong, the prime minister and minister for finance of Singapore. 

“We can lay the groundwork for a new and more stable global order,” said Brende.

“The world today is evolving very quickly, especially with new technologies. We really have to focus on social fairness and social equity, and really promote our human capital,” said Ousmane Sonko, prime minister of Senegal.

“If you want to have a gross domestic product growth, you need to have a rise in productivity,” said Annette Mosman, group CEO of the APG Group. 

“I think artificial intelligence is the way to get there,” she added.

The meeting focused on five thematic pillars: deciphering the world economy, the outlook on China, industries disrupted, investing in people and the planet as well as new energy and materials.

Participants also explored the challenges around the energy transition and different strategies to ensure a more secure, stable and sustainable supply of energy resources.

This includes critical materials needed to support new growth and competitiveness.

Sessions emphasised the need to broaden access to clean energy innovation across geographies and industries. Stakeholders aligned on China’s promising clean energy trajectory.

In addition, they explored the potential of quantum technologies and blended finance to lower capital costs in emerging markets.