The Global Digital Economy Conference 2026 opened in Beijing on July 2, unveiling several major outcomes including the 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report and the 2026 Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Cases. These initiatives aim to inject new momentum into the development of global digital cities by addressing how the digital economy reshapes urban landscapes and defining future responsibilities. The conference emphasized that "digital friendliness" is a key value orientation for future urban digital transformation, ensuring technologies support industrial upgrading while remaining accessible to citizens and businesses.

The 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report, released by the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance, systematically reviews urban digital development pathways and models. It highlights that digital technologies must be tangible to citizens and within reach of society at large. The report addresses critical questions on the interplay between cities and the digital economy, providing a framework for future urban planning.

As a key outcome, the 2026 Global Digital Economy Lighthouse Cases were jointly released by the International Telecommunication Union, the International Trade Centre, and the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance. Thirteen Lighthouse Cases were selected from over 300 candidate projects worldwide, covering six thematic areas: collaborative digital urban governance, inclusive digital public services, climate-resilient urban infrastructure, digital empowerment for livelihood income enhancement, low-carbon smart space and mobility, and inclusive digital services for vulnerable groups. These cases respond to the core objectives of the Global Digital Compact.

Notable Lighthouse Cases include Beijing's "Jingban" smart government platform, Jakarta's JAKI Super App, Madrid's "Digital Capital", Istanbul's IBS Smart Firefighting, and BrainCo's smart prosthetics. These examples provide practical references in digital governance, green resilience, and social inclusion. The selection process evaluated submissions against the Global Digital Compact and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing practices that address digital inclusion and sustainability under resource constraints.

At the opening ceremony, a special action was launched to improve digital service convenience for inbound foreigners in major Chinese cities. This initiative is jointly carried out by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), and the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities.

The conference is co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Data Administration (NDA), Xinhua News Agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the World Data Organization (WDO), and the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance. The theme for this year is "Building a Digital-friendly City: Inclusive Intelligence, Borderless Connectivity."