Under the guidance of Chairman Ban Ki-moon and Vice Chairman Zhou Xiaochuan, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) has recently started to prepare the ground for the Annual Conference 2021 (AC2021). As the highlight amongst BFA’s 20th Anniversary Serial Events, AC2021 is of great importance to the development of BFA itself as well as to the cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Against the backdrop of the unscrupulous COVID-19 pandemic transmitting worldwide, AC2021 will centre around the cutting-edge issues in global development and play a positive role in addressing global challenges.

To better prepare for AC2021 as well as the 20th Anniversary Serial Events, the Secretariat of BFA has recently consulted the host country, other initial countries, the Board of Directors, the Council of Advisors, members, and partners of BFA. All parties have proposed insightful suggestions on the Annual Conference for the year to come and events regarding the 20th anniversary. BFA also plans to hold several online or offline roundtables in August and September, including “the Dialogue on China-Europe Economic Cooperation”, Roundtables on “Macroeconomy" and “Micro Vitality" and Roundtables for the Media and the Initial Countries, etc., for discussion on macroeconomy, financial cooperation, trade and investment, technological trends, society and people’s livelihood, as well as to provide advice on the theme and agenda of AC2021.

At the next stage, the Forum will continue tracing the changes in the global economy and international context amid the pandemic, remain in touch with all parties concerned, and push forward the preparatory work for AC2021 in a timely manner.