1. Parallel Forum on “Women’s Leadership & AI for Social Impact” Held at CSW70
On March 18, 2026, during the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the Parallel Forum on “Women’s Leadership & AI for Social Impact”, hosted by the Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation and co-hosted by the Finance Centre for South-South Cooperation and the Panoramic Charity Foundation, was held at the UN Church Center in New York.
Focusing on AI innovation and women’s empowerment, the forum brought together experts, scholars and industry representatives from around the world to exchange insights on topics including algorithmic fairness, employment in the technology sector, digital literacy, the inclusive application of AI in traditional Chinese medicine, and youth engagement.
Participants called for the establishment of a gender-responsive AI development framework, to support women in transitioning from beneficiaries of technology to leaders and rule-makers.
During the forum, the “UN Youth Development Program” was launched, to provide a platform encouraging young women to actively participate in advancing gender equality in the AI era.
Aligned with the session’s theme of “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for Women and Girls”, the forum shared insights and practical experiences from China and around the world, offering diverse perspectives and actionable pathways for technology for good, gender equality and global governance cooperation.
Credits: Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation
2. China-Central Asia Light Industry Cooperation Matchmaking Event Held
On March 18, 2026, the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) hosted the China-Central Asia Light Industry Cooperation Matchmaking Event in Beijing.
Participants included diplomatic envoys to China from Central Asian countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, representatives of investment promotion agencies, and representatives from industry associations and enterprises, including the China Machinery Industry Federation, the China National Light Industry Council, and companies such as Haier, Xiaomi, TCL and Midea. They jointly explored cooperation opportunities in the light industry sector.
Attendees held in-depth discussions on areas including smart home technologies, food processing machinery, agricultural machinery, green packaging, intelligent manufacturing, and cross-border e-commerce. They agreed that China and Central Asia have strong industrial complementarity and growing market demand, and should further deepen cooperation in digitalization and green development, enhance industrial and supply chain integration, and develop production and distribution networks by leveraging geographical advantages.
The event provided a practical platform for business matchmaking between the two sides. Going forward, the International Cooperation Center of the NDRC will continue to improve mechanisms for two-way investment and cooperation, organize regular matchmaking events, as well as research and training activities, and promote the effective implementation of China-Central Asia cooperation in the light industry sector to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
Credits: International Cooperation Center of the NDRC
