The World Tour event of the Youth Leaders Community for Global Development (YLCGD), organized by the Global Development Promotion Center under the China International Development Cooperation Agency, was held from Aug. 3 to 5 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Marking the fifth anniversary of the proposal of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the event centered on the “Digital South” initiative under the GDI.
A workshop on the “Digital South” initiative was held during the event. Experts from multiple Thai government agencies outlined Thailand’s priorities for digital development and engaged in in-depth exchanges with representatives from the YLCGD over concrete approaches to leveraging digital technology to empower healthcare, education and energy transition.
At a separate roundtable dialogue, young representatives from China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries exchanged views on topics including opportunities and risks in the digital era, enhancing youth digital literacy, and global youth partnerships.
In addition, representatives from the YLCGD visited the Chinese Academy of Sciences Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok). They attended a donation ceremony for a science and technology classroom in Bangkok. They also toured Ayutthaya Technical College, home to the first Luban Workshop established overseas by China.
Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei said at the donation ceremony that the program serves as a vivid practice of implementing the consensus reached between the heads of state of China and Thailand and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation on artificial intelligence education between the two countries.
The “Digital South” initiative provides a valuable platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening capacities, and achieving more practical cooperation that benefits not only Thailand and China, but also the wider Global South, said Suchana Sinthavathavorn, vice president of the Quality of Life and Security Development and Promotion Department, Digital Transformation Promotion Unit, Thailand Digital Economy Promotion Agency, at the workshop on the “Digital South” initiative.
Zhang Xiguang, a representative from the YLCGD and founder of VAMOS Future Museum in Shenzhen, China, told Xinhua that China-Thailand cooperation in the education of science and technology boasts broad prospects.
Zhang expressed willingness to help Thai youth boost understanding and application of science and technology, laying a foundation for Thailand’s digital development and future industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Initiated in 2023, the YLCGD aims to empower the youth and enhance their capacity to drive the implementation of the GDI and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.