DWP Global Summit Shenzen

Day Theme: Building global consensus

Registration & Networking

Opening Ceremony

MOU signing between United Nations Solutions Hub and the first group of pilot cities and strategic partners

11:15 – 11:30 Coffee Break

Plenary Session: Digital Backbone for a Sustainable Future (Main Hall)

As climate urgency and digital acceleration converge, organizations and governments are redefining how technology can drive measurable progress toward global development goals. This plenary explores how digital innovation — from AI and data ecosystems to intelligent infrastructure and resilient supply chains — is enabling new pathways for sustainable development at scale. Bringing together global institutions, industry leaders, and academic experts, the discussion will focus on translating ambition into action, examining how digital transformation can strengthen supply-chain resilience, accelerate climate solutions, advance smart city development, and foster cross-border cooperation. The session will highlight practical approaches, real-world case studies, and collaborative models that demonstrate how integrating digital innovation with sustainable development strategies can deliver tangible outcomes for economies and societies.

12:30 – 13:30 Networking Lunch

Plenary Session: Redefining Pathways to Green Digital Infrastructure & Supply Chain Resilience

As digital transformation accelerates globally, resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure has become critical to economic stability, innovation, and climate action. This plenary panel will explore how next-generation networks, data infrastructure, and circular ICT solutions can support low-carbon transition pathways while strengthening cross-border supply-chain resilience.

Bringing together leading global operators and technology providers, the discussion will examine practical strategies for building energy-efficient infrastructure, enabling sustainable supply chains, and deploying scalable digital solutions that balance performance, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

The session will showcase real-world use cases and collaborative approaches that demonstrate how green digital infrastructure can serve as the backbone of a resilient and future-ready global digital economy.

White Paper First Pitch: Digitalization for Green Supply Chain

by GeSI Working Group on Sustainable Supply Chain

Followed by close-door meeting of the working group with local specialists and industry partners to take their feedback, during the coffee break

15:20 – 15:45 — Coffee Break

Fireside Chat: Redefining Net Zero AI-enabled transformation with human-centric approach

As cities and large-scale urban developments accelerate their transition toward net zero, artificial intelligence is emerging as a critical enabler of smarter, more efficient project operations. This fireside conversation explores how AI-driven solutions are transforming planning, construction, and operational management to deliver measurable environmental and economic outcomes.

Drawing on practical experience from The Sustainable City and projects across geographies, the discussion will highlight real-world lessons in integrating digital technologies into sustainable urban development — from energy optimisation and resource management to data-driven decision-making and long-term operational resilience.

The fireside chat will provide an inside perspective on how AI can move beyond strategy into implementation, demonstrating how digital innovation supports scalable pathways toward net zero development.

Plenary Session: Smart City Digital Foundation & Climate Actions Empowered

As cities face growing pressures to decarbonize, improve public services, and enhance urban resilience, digital technologies are becoming foundational to next-generation urban development. Anchored in the UN Solution Hub, this plenary session will explore how digital platforms, data ecosystems, and intelligent infrastructure enable cities to accelerate decarbonization while improving citizen-centric services. Bringing together global institutions, technology leaders, development partners, and pioneering cities, the discussion will showcase pilot projects and real-world case studies demonstrating how digital innovation supports sustainable housing, efficient public infrastructure, and integrated urban governance. The session will focus on practical implementation pathways, highlighting replicable models and collaborative frameworks that allow cities across different regions and development stages to scale smart, low-carbon urban transformation.

Digital with Purpose Supply Chain Awards

(Welcome Reception, Invitation-only)

The Digital with Purpose Supply Chain Awards Ceremony will recognize leading suppliers that are redefining global value chains through digital innovation, intelligent infrastructure, and responsible business practices.

Assessed against the Responsible Business metrics of the Digital with Purpose Performance Framework, the Awards celebrate excellence across climate action, digital trust, circularity, inclusion, and supply chain governance.

The ceremony will honour the top three suppliers — Developing, Pioneering, and Diamond — highlighting achievements in building resilient, transparent, and future-ready supply chains.

Day Theme: Digital Empowerment for Sustainable Outcomes

Morning Welcome (Plenary)

Reflections on Day 1 highlights and a preview of the key priorities for Day 2.

Plenary Session: China–EU AI Dialogue

As artificial intelligence becomes a defining force shaping economies and societies, international collaboration is essential to ensure trusted, responsible, and interoperable AI systems. This special plenary will convene policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from China and the European Union to explore shared approaches to AI governance, accountability, safety, and ethical deployment.

The session will focus on strengthening cross-border dialogue, aligning governance frameworks, and identifying opportunities for industry collaboration that enable innovation while maintaining trust and transparency.

Agenda:
• 09:30–10:00 | Keynotes: EU AI strategy, China’s trusted AI practices, cross-border digital cooperation
• 10:00–10:50 | Roundtable: Data governance, AI trust, China– EU industry collaboration
• 10:50-11:00 | Presentation / Introduction of GeSI Initiative: European AI Strategy Reimagined (RIE)

Plenary Session: Data Centres, Energy and Water – Deployment-Ready Growth for the AI Era

As AI adoption accelerates, the rapid growth of high-density computing is creating new challenges and opportunities for energy systems worldwide. This spotlight plenary will explore how data centre expansion can be aligned with energy efficiency, low-carbon power strategies, and grid resilience to enable sustainable scaling of AI infrastructure.

Bringing together industry leaders and policymakers, the session will examine practical approaches to integrating digital infrastructure with evolving energy systems — including AI-driven optimization, flexible grid solutions, and innovative power procurement models that support both performance and decarbonization goals.

Agenda:
• 11:00–11:20 | Spotlight Keynote: Key constraints and opportunities of AI computing – Energy and Water
• 11:20–12:20 | Panel Dialogue: Low-carbon, efficient, and resilient scaling of digital infrastructure
• 12:20–12:30 | Key Takeaways: Priority actions and partnership opportunities

Networking Lunch & Industry Matchmaking Roundtables

Themed tables for green supply chains, smart cities, AI, and digital energy efficiency; project matchmaking and partnership conversations.

14:00 – 15:30 Breakout Block 1 (90 minutes)

Digital for Cooling

As AI-driven compute demand grows, improving energy efficiency across digital infrastructure is critical to reducing costs, emissions, and operational risks. This breakout session focuses on practical solutions for building a greener digital foundation, highlighting next-generation cooling technologies, AI-driven energy optimization, and operational practices that enable measurable efficiency gains.

Through technical insights, real-world case studies, and policy exchange, the session will explore how industry and policymakers can collaborate to accelerate low-carbon transitions while ensuring scalable and resilient infrastructure for the AI era.

Agenda:
• 14:00–14:30 | Thematic Speeches: Low-carbon data center cooling; AI energy optimization; green digital infrastructure transition
• 14:30–15:05 | Case Sharing: Enterprise best practices & global low-carbon data center cases
• 15:05–15:25 | Policy Exchange: International policy experience and the integration of decarbonization with digital infrastructure
• 15:25–15:30 | Key Takeaways: Priority actions and partnership opportunities

Digital Education for Impact Alliance Forum

As digital transformation accelerates, developing future- ready talent and advancing AI literacy are essential to ensuring inclusive and scalable digital progress. The Digital Education for Impact Alliance Forum will explore how education systems, industry, and international organizations can collaborate to bridge the digital divide, foster innovation-driven learning, and prepare the next generation of technology leaders.

The session will highlight practical models for university–enterprise collaboration, new approaches to digital education, and global frameworks that enable skills development aligned with evolving workforce needs and emerging technologies.

Agenda:
• 14:00–14:20 |Keynotes: Digital divide, education for sustainability, youth tech talent
• 14:20–15:20 | University–Enterprise Dialogue: Joint training models & global curriculum frameworks
• 15:20-15:30 | Launch: Digital Education Empowerment Program

Water Digital Innovation Forum

As water systems face increasing pressure from climate change, urbanization, and resource constraints, digital technologies are becoming essential to improving efficiency, resilience, and operational sustainability. This forum explores how “Water Intelligence”
— combining data platforms, smart monitoring, and AI-driven analytics
— enables smarter water management through real-time monitoring,
leakage detection, quality assurance, and energy-efficient operations.

Bringing together industry leaders and solution providers, the session will highlight scalable digital architectures and collaborative approaches that strengthen water security while supporting sustainable urban and industrial development.

Agenda:
• 14:00 – 14:30 | Technology Sharing: Smart monitoring, dispatch, and water-saving solutions
• 14:30 – 15:05 | Dialogue: Global water sustainability & digital collaboration
• 15:05 – 15:25 | Project Showcase: Flagship cases & partnership matchmaking
• 15:25 – 15:30 | Key Takeaways: Pilot opportunities and next- step collaboration

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:30 Breakout Block 2 (90 minutes)

AI for Health: Trusted AI for Resilient Care Systems

As healthcare systems face growing pressure from aging populations, workforce shortages, and rising demand, artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful enabler of more resilient and efficient care delivery. This session explores how trusted AI can support healthcare transformation — from prevention and diagnostics to hospital operations — while ensuring safety, accountability, privacy, and clinical validation.

Focused on practical deployment, the discussion will examine governance frameworks, evidence-based implementation, and cross- sector collaboration models that enable scalable, responsible adoption of AI in healthcare systems.

Agenda:
• 16:00–16:15 | Spotlight Keynote: Trusted AI in care—what’s deployable now
• 16:15–17:05 | Panel: Governance, validation, and scaling AI- enabled care
• 17:05–17:20 | Case Snapshots: High-impact use cases & lessons learned
• 17:20–17:30 | Key Takeaways: Priority actions and collaboration pathways

AI-Integrated Wearables Forum

As AI moves closer to the user, wearable technologies are emerging as powerful human-centred interfaces that enhance sensing, assistance, and real-time insights. This forum explores the evolving role of AI-enabled wearables — particularly smart eyewear — in transforming how individuals interact with digital systems across healthcare, productivity, mobility, and everyday environments.

The discussion will focus on edge AI capabilities, privacy-by-design principles, interoperability standards, and scalable deployment models. Bringing together ecosystem partners, the session aims to identify practical pathways for responsible innovation and cross- industry collaboration.

Agenda:
• 16:00–16:10 | Opening: Ecosystem vision and priorities
• 16:10–16:55 | Panel: Deployment, privacy, interoperability, and standards
• 16:55–17:15 | Showcase: Pilot use cases and partner matchmaking
• 17:15–17:30 | Key Takeaways: Partnership opportunities and proposed next steps

Plenary Session: Report-Back

This plenary session brings together insights and outcomes from across all thematic tracks, translating discussions into actionable next steps. Designed as a synthesis and coordination moment, the session will highlight key deliverables, partnership opportunities, and implementation pathways emerging from the Summit’s breakout sessions and strategic dialogues.

By aligning stakeholders around shared priorities, the session reinforces the Digital with Purpose approach — moving from ideas to execution through collaboration, structured outcomes, and scalable solutions.

DWP Global Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner - (Invitation-only)

At this ceremony, we celebrate digital solutions that align with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, addressing human needs, reducing poverty, enhancing inclusion, and protecting nature.

Now in its 5th edition, the Digital with Purpose Global Awards recognise exemplary digital solutions that deliver measurable impact. The awards honour initiatives that actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrate scalable, resource-efficient, and quantifiable benefits.

Join us in celebrating the innovation and dedication of organisations and leaders who are harnessing digital technology to build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable world.

The DWP Global Awards Ceremony will be followed by a Gala Dinner, featuring awardee remarks, a cultural programme, and networking opportunities.

Day Theme: Consolidating consensus and enabling sustained global joint action.

Plenary Session: Flagship Deliverables Release Session

This flagship plenary marks the formal release of key strategic outcomes and cooperation initiatives emerging from the Digital with Purpose Global Summit. Designed as a milestone moment, the session will present major policy contributions, thought leadership outputs, and collaborative commitments that extend the Summit’s impact beyond the event itself.

By showcasing tangible deliverables and launching new partnerships, the session reinforces the Digital with Purpose approach — translating dialogue into structured action and strengthening global collaboration across digital innovation, climate action, and sustainable development.

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break & Networking

Plenary Session: Global Joint Action Roundtable & Closing Ceremony

This closing plenary brings together global leaders to consolidate the outcomes of the Digital with Purpose Global Summit and define pathways for continued collaboration. The roundtable will focus on implementation strategies, long-term cooperation mechanisms, and the evolving vision for the next phase of the Digital with Purpose Movement.

Designed as both a strategic dialogue and ceremonial conclusion, the session will align stakeholders around shared priorities, reinforcing the transition from discussion to coordinated action and sustained global partnership.

12:00 – 14:00 Closing Lunch & Final Matchmaking