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On March 19, the Roundtable on International Cooperation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence, alongside the International AI Project Matchmaking Event, was successfully held in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, China. The event was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office, Beijing, China (UNIDO ITPO Beijing), in collaboration with the Digital Transformation and AI Strategies of UNIDO. It was co-organized by several international organizations, including the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO), the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO), the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), and the International Network on Small Hydropower (INSHP).
Distinguished guests gathered at the UNIDO Fourth Industrial Revolution Industry Accelerator (Hangzhou), focusing on AI empowerment for the Global South. The event aimed to build an international cooperation and exchange platform to facilitate precise matchmaking between Chinese enterprises and global partners.
Zhou Lijun, Member of the Leading Party Group and Vice President of the Hangzhou Association for Science and Technology, delivered welcome remarks. He emphasized that breakthroughs in artificial intelligence—spanning technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and governance improvement—require global collaboration across scientific and industrial communities. Hangzhou, he noted, will continue to attract international science and technology organizations and foster the convergence of advanced AI technologies, high-quality projects, and top-tier talent.
Wang Zhen, Officer-in-Charge of UNIDO ITPO Beijing, stated that artificial intelligence should be regarded as a global public good. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the needs of the Global South and narrowing the digital divide through capacity-building initiatives to ensure that technological benefits reach those who need them most.
Gong Ke, Executive Dean of the Chinese Institute for New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies and former President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, outlined pragmatic pathways for global collaboration in AI. He noted that AI development is evolving from “being able to chat” to “being able to produce,” and emphasized China’s “AI+” strategy to empower the real economy. He stressed that capacity building should serve as the starting point and key driver of international cooperation.
Liu Yanjing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, introduced practical approaches to building an international innovation ecosystem integrating industry, academia, research, and application. She proposed a four-dimensional synergy of technology, talent, capital, and governance to address geopolitical and technological barriers.
Professor Ying Fangtian, Director General of the World Eco-Design Organization and Fellow of the European Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech titled “AI Eco-Design: Driving the Twin Transition.” He emphasized that AI should serve both green transformation and cultural heritage preservation. He shared WEDO’s experience in supporting developing countries through the CKD (Complete Knock-Down) model to build localized industrial systems, and proposed embedding green energy consumption, cultural creativity, and design ethics into the foundational algorithms of AI.
Zhao Gang, Director-General of the Global Innovation Center and Academician of the European Academy of Sciences, highlighted the role of science and technology diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges in advancing international AI cooperation. He shared practical experiences in fostering talent development and global innovation dialogue.
Luo Benjin, Secretary-General of WAITRO, emphasized China’s comprehensive industrial system and robust new energy ecosystem, describing it as an ideal testing ground for vertical AI applications in industry.
Yang Yi, Founder of Xiangjing Think Tank, explored the concept of “AI-native enterprises,” noting that AI agents can significantly reduce transaction costs and enable new paradigms for global business expansion.
During the roundtable discussion, representatives from UNIDO-accredited NGOs, international innovation platforms, research institutions, and enterprises explored key challenges and opportunities in advancing China’s international AI cooperation. Discussions focused on overcoming barriers, identifying breakthrough directions, and building collaborative innovation mechanisms.
Ren Guogang, Executive Dean of the Strategic Research Institute of Zhigang Think Tank, emphasized that the core strength of China’s AI lies in its rich application scenarios and strong industrial implementation capabilities. He noted that successful international cooperation depends on complementary needs between partners.
Yin Bo, Director of the Cooperation Department at GEIDCO, highlighted the integration of AI with energy internet technologies, enabling optimized grid dispatch, accurate renewable energy forecasting, and increased integration of clean energy.
Shen Hao, Deputy Chief Engineer at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, pointed out that AI technology iteration cycles have shortened to a monthly scale, underscoring the need to strengthen domestic capabilities while supporting international partners.
Dong Guofeng, Director of the South-South Cooperation Division of INSHP, shared case studies on applying AI to small hydropower management and called for supporting African countries in developing AI strategies for specific sectors.
Xu Jingfu, Head of the Spanish-speaking Region at the ICPC International Industrial Technology Cooperation Promotion Center and Chairman of the Eurasian Legal Committee of the Madrid Bar Association, highlighted the strong potential for China-Spain cooperation in AI and renewable energy.
Bao Rongjing, Deputy Director of the Industry and Standards Research Department of IHFCA, discussed the integration of AI with hydrogen fuel cell technologies across R&D, operations, and low-carbon applications.
Representatives from Chengdu also introduced regional advantages and development pathways for AI, while Zhu Jianming, Executive Director of the Information Technology Department at China Reform Securities, proposed building shared computing infrastructure and AI model platforms to support international cooperation through the Digital Silk Road.
He Zilong, Digital Transformation and AI Strategies of UNIDO, presented UNIDO’s initiatives in digital economy and global AI governance. He highlighted the Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing, which promotes Centres of Excellence, lighthouse projects, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Zhao Xueqi, International Policy Expert on Digital Transformation and AI Strategies of UNIDO, emphasized the structural and systemic risks of AI and called for inclusive development through a comprehensive capacity-building framework covering foundational, application, and governance layers.
Participants widely agreed that the key challenges in international cooperation lie in asymmetrical capabilities and fragmented resources. Capacity building was identified as the critical entry point for creating a “super-connector” linking technology, capital, talent, standards, and policy. Delegates shared practical experiences across various fields, including engineering training in Africa, renewable energy expansion, intelligent manufacturing investment, AI-enabled hydropower, and the integration of Chinese AIGC technologies with Italian design.
Prior to the roundtable, participants visited the Xiaoshan Robot Town and leading robotics enterprise Kaierda to gain insights into industrial development and technological needs. Approximately 20 enterprises from AI and manufacturing sectors also participated in on-site matchmaking activities.
The roundtable successfully established a cross-sectoral cooperation platform connecting diverse stakeholders and global resources. It injected new momentum into Hangzhou’s ambition to become a hub for international science and technology organizations and to advance pragmatic AI cooperation. Participants expressed their commitment to building a more open, equitable, and inclusive global development framework, ensuring that technological advancements contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals worldwide.
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