Blab Tech
Beijing Hosts 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference, Unveils New City Development Report and 13 Lighthouse Cases
The 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC) opened in Beijing on Thursday, with a series of reports and initiatives presented by international partners. The event highlighted new guidance for city digital transformation and showcased 13 exemplary projects from around the world.
At the opening ceremony, the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40) released the 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report. The report outlines pathways and models for urban digital development, stressing that digital technology should support industrial upgrading, urban governance, and also be tangible to residents, useful for businesses, and accessible to society. The report identifies a "digital‑friendly" direction for future urban digital transformation.
In a joint effort with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), the partners also released the 2026 Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Cases. From more than 300 submissions worldwide, 13 cases were selected as examples of best practice. The cases cover six thematic areas:
1. Collaborative digital urban governance 2. Inclusive public digital services 3. Climate‑resilient infrastructure 4. Digitally enabled livelihood improvement 5. Low‑carbon smart mobility 6. Digital inclusion for vulnerable groups
Notable projects highlighted in the lighthouse list include Beijing’s "Jingban" smart government platform, Jakarta’s JAKI Super App, Madrid’s "Digital Capital" initiative, Istanbul’s IBS smart firefighting system, and BrainCo’s intelligent prosthetics.
The conference also announced a new action plan aimed at improving digital services for inbound visitors in major Chinese cities. The initiative is a joint effort by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commerce, and involves Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities.
The 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report is part of DEC40’s ongoing work to provide a framework for cities that want to accelerate digital adoption. By framing digital friendliness as a key goal, the report encourages municipalities to design services that are both efficient for government operations and directly beneficial to citizens.
The lighthouse cases serve as a catalog of proven solutions that other cities can study and adapt. For example, Beijing’s Jingban platform has been implemented across the city’s 16 administrative districts and serves more than 500,000 users, with an average daily active rate of nearly 80%. Jakarta’s JAKI Super App consolidates multiple public services into a single mobile interface, while Madrid’s Digital Capital initiative focuses on data‑driven urban planning.
Istanbul’s IBS system uses real‑time sensor data to improve firefighting response times, and BrainCo’s prosthetics combine machine learning with wearable technology to enhance mobility for amputees. These projects illustrate the breadth of applications—from governance and public safety to health and sustainability—that digital technologies can address.
The special action plan for inbound visitors reflects China’s broader strategy to make its major cities more welcoming for tourists and business travelers. By coordinating across national ministries and city governments, the plan aims to streamline access to information, payment, and navigation services for visitors.
Industry observers note that the conference’s focus on both policy guidance and practical case studies aligns with a growing trend toward evidence‑based smart city planning. The inclusion of climate resilience and low‑carbon mobility in the lighthouse themes signals an increasing emphasis on sustainability in urban digital projects.
The reports and initiatives presented at the GDEC are expected to influence city planners, technology providers, and policymakers over the coming months. DEC40, ITU, and ITC have indicated that they will continue to collect and publish data on digital city performance, and that the lighthouse cases will be updated annually to reflect new developments.
As the global digital economy expands, the 2026 GDEC provides a snapshot of how cities are leveraging technology to improve governance, inclusivity, and environmental performance. The reports and lighthouse cases offer concrete examples that other municipalities can study as they design their own digital transformation strategies.
The conference concluded with a statement that the next GDEC will be held in 2027, with a focus on measuring the long‑term impact of the initiatives launched in Beijing.
At the opening ceremony, the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40) released the 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report. The report outlines pathways and models for urban digital development, stressing that digital technology should support industrial upgrading, urban governance, and also be tangible to residents, useful for businesses, and accessible to society. The report identifies a "digital‑friendly" direction for future urban digital transformation.
In a joint effort with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), the partners also released the 2026 Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Cases. From more than 300 submissions worldwide, 13 cases were selected as examples of best practice. The cases cover six thematic areas:
1. Collaborative digital urban governance 2. Inclusive public digital services 3. Climate‑resilient infrastructure 4. Digitally enabled livelihood improvement 5. Low‑carbon smart mobility 6. Digital inclusion for vulnerable groups
Notable projects highlighted in the lighthouse list include Beijing’s "Jingban" smart government platform, Jakarta’s JAKI Super App, Madrid’s "Digital Capital" initiative, Istanbul’s IBS smart firefighting system, and BrainCo’s intelligent prosthetics.
The conference also announced a new action plan aimed at improving digital services for inbound visitors in major Chinese cities. The initiative is a joint effort by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commerce, and involves Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities.
The 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report is part of DEC40’s ongoing work to provide a framework for cities that want to accelerate digital adoption. By framing digital friendliness as a key goal, the report encourages municipalities to design services that are both efficient for government operations and directly beneficial to citizens.
The lighthouse cases serve as a catalog of proven solutions that other cities can study and adapt. For example, Beijing’s Jingban platform has been implemented across the city’s 16 administrative districts and serves more than 500,000 users, with an average daily active rate of nearly 80%. Jakarta’s JAKI Super App consolidates multiple public services into a single mobile interface, while Madrid’s Digital Capital initiative focuses on data‑driven urban planning.
Istanbul’s IBS system uses real‑time sensor data to improve firefighting response times, and BrainCo’s prosthetics combine machine learning with wearable technology to enhance mobility for amputees. These projects illustrate the breadth of applications—from governance and public safety to health and sustainability—that digital technologies can address.
The special action plan for inbound visitors reflects China’s broader strategy to make its major cities more welcoming for tourists and business travelers. By coordinating across national ministries and city governments, the plan aims to streamline access to information, payment, and navigation services for visitors.
Industry observers note that the conference’s focus on both policy guidance and practical case studies aligns with a growing trend toward evidence‑based smart city planning. The inclusion of climate resilience and low‑carbon mobility in the lighthouse themes signals an increasing emphasis on sustainability in urban digital projects.
The reports and initiatives presented at the GDEC are expected to influence city planners, technology providers, and policymakers over the coming months. DEC40, ITU, and ITC have indicated that they will continue to collect and publish data on digital city performance, and that the lighthouse cases will be updated annually to reflect new developments.
As the global digital economy expands, the 2026 GDEC provides a snapshot of how cities are leveraging technology to improve governance, inclusivity, and environmental performance. The reports and lighthouse cases offer concrete examples that other municipalities can study as they design their own digital transformation strategies.
The conference concluded with a statement that the next GDEC will be held in 2027, with a focus on measuring the long‑term impact of the initiatives launched in Beijing.
