Beijing: The Global Digital Economy City Alliance (DEC40) celebrated its first anniversary since its official launch at the Global Digital Economy Conference on July 2, 2025. Over the past year, DEC40 has developed into a collaborative platform connecting over 40 partner cities worldwide, alongside various international organizations and industry institutions.
According to Thai News Agency, DEC40 is focused on supporting the evolution of Beijing into a world-class model city for the digital economy. The organization aims to promote coordinated digital economic development, nurture digital economy talent, enhance international exchanges in digital fields, facilitate the digital transformation of cities, and establish a standards framework for the digital economy.
Since its inception, DEC40 has pursued phased goals of 'building platforms and establishing mechanisms' to connect cities, international organizations, chambers of commerce, industry associations, research institutions, and enterprises globally. Registered in Geneva, Switzerland, DEC40 has established offices in Geneva, Singapore, and Beijing, laying a robust institutional foundation for the promotion of global digital economic cooperation.
Over the year, DEC40 transitioned from focusing on institutional development to facilitating practical project implementation as its collaborative network matured. A significant transformation example is the International Digital Economy Governance and Leadership Capacity Building Program, held in January and June 2026. This program gathered 57 participants, including decision-makers and industry leaders from 46 key cities in 30 countries, facilitating a strategic cooperation agreement between Beijing-based technology company Zhongke Brain and the city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and creating numerous opportunities for collaboration across technology, human resource development, and exchange mechanisms.
Additionally, DEC40, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Centre of Trade (ITC), initiated the 'Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Case Study Collection' project. The 2026 call for submissions attracted 308 valid applications from over 60 countries across six continents, selecting 13 case studies to offer valuable references for the digital development of cities worldwide. DEC40 also published the Global Digital Economy City Development Report (2026), addressing key challenges in urban development within the digital economy and providing theoretical frameworks for global digital city development.
Throughout the year, DEC40 has expanded its international cooperation network, focusing on Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Currently, DEC40 encompasses 48 partner cities and 52 member institutions, establishing an initial multi-regional digital economy cooperation framework with Beijing as its central hub.
DEC40 has developed a multi-level, broad, and specialized collaborative ecosystem that supports diverse partnership models, enabling contributions to global digital governance and delivering tangible project outcomes. On its first anniversary, DEC40 will continue to deepen its global digital cooperation, reflecting Beijing's commitment to openness, cooperation, and shared success as key principles of the digital era.