On October 16 2024, the Tongzhou Global Development Forum (2024) press conference was held at Renmin University of China. The press conference was hosted by Professor Zheng Shuiquan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Renmin University, with attendance from Professor Zheng Xinye, Vice President of Renmin University, and Liu Wei, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of Tongzhou District Committee of Beijing. They introduced the forum's details and answered questions from the press, with over 30 media representatives, including those from the People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency, in attendance.

Professor Zheng Shuiquan highlighted that the Tongzhou Global Development Forum, founded by Renmin University of China, is China's first international forum focused on "global development" and aimed at implementing the "Global Development Initiative." The inaugural forum was held on November 18, 2023, attracting over 400 key guests from more than 30 countries to discuss development strategies, generating significant domestic and international attention.

Building on the success of the first forum, the upcoming event will present a higher-level, larger-scale platform rooted in Tongzhou, with a vision for global economic and social sustainable development. Media representatives are warmly invited to cover the event and share the story of "building a community for development and creating a new era for humanity," contributing to international consensus and promoting global development.

Professor Zheng Xinye provided an overview of the forum, which is themed "Fostering a Community of Shared Development and Building a New Era of Humanity Together". The forum will feature two plenary sessions and 11 parallel sessions , with a release of a report titled "Humanity 2050: Comprehensive Human and Social Development." Notable figures include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former President of Slovenia and Chairman of the Club of Madrid Danilo Türk, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Zhantoro Satybaldiev, former Prime Minister of South Korea and President of the 56th UN General Assembly Han Seung-soo, General Secretary of the South African Communist Party Solly Mapaila, former Nepalese politician and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) Dev Gurung, and former Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Grzegorz Kołodko. Representatives from international organizations, diplomats in China, renowned scholars, entrepreneurs, social figures, and media representatives will gather to discuss global development topics and solutions.

He noted that this forum is the first international forum involving Chinese universities in the planning and design of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the first institutionalized forum to implement the "Global Development Initiative." it also initiates the concept such as the "Comprehensive Development Goals 2050" (CDGs 2050). During the forum, the International Advisory Committee for the Tongzhou Global Development Forum will be established, along with the International Strategy and Development Committee of Renmin University and the "1+N" Global Cooperation Alliance for Regional and Country Studies at Renmin University. Additionally, the overseas social media account for Beijing Tongzhou will officially launch.

Professor Wang Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, presented the annual report titled "Humanity 2050: Comprehensive Human and Social Development." He emphasized that the report calls for establishing new goals for comprehensive development of people and society by 2050 (Comprehensive Development Goals 2050, CDGs 2050). It identifies four major directions based on two dimensions: "human clusters" and "social foundations," and proposes four key thresholds considering development risks. The report encapsulates the insights of over 40 experts and scholars, providing original Chinese perspectives and suggestions for the UN's global sustainable development agenda from a new think tank perspective.

During the event, heads of the 11 parallel sessions introduced their respective topics. For instance, Professor Wen Jirong, Executive Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence at Renmin University of China, discussed the parallel session on "Global Intelligent Governance and New Forms of Human Development," focusing on how AI can empower human development and promote global governance.

Professor Zhang Zelin, Vice Dean of the Business School of Renmin University of China, highlighted the parallel session on "Connecting through the Belt and Road and Building a New Global Economic & Trade Order," emphasizing the initiative's significance in establishing a new economic order.

Professor Wang Fang, Vice Dean of the School of Finance at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Three: "Practicing Multilateralism and Promoting Global Financial Governance Reform." International dignitaries and prominent scholars in international finance and macroeconomics will engage in discussions on the direction of multilateralism and global financial governance reform.

Dr. Huang Zeqing, a researcher at the Contemporary Political Party Research Platform at Renmin University of China, presented parallel session Four: "Party Governance Capacity and Modernization of Global South Countries" Various guests and scholars from both China and abroad will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by political parties in the modernization and development of countries in the Global South.

Professor Huang Yanghua, Vice Dean of the School of Applied Economics at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Five: "New Energy and the Global Climate Agenda." The session will release a research report titled "Promoting the Construction of New Power Systems and New Energy Systems through Digitalization and Green Initiatives." Experts from authoritative institutions, including the U.S.-China Green Energy Promotion Association and the National Climate Center, will discuss topics such as the evolution and challenges of new energy systems and the synergy between new energy development and regional economic and industrial layouts.

Professor Zheng Shi, Vice Dean of the College of Agriculture and Rural Development at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Six: "Global Food Systems and Security." Guests from countries including China, the United States, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, and Thailand will collectively discuss global food systems and security.

Professor Wang Ke, Vice Dean of the School of Ecological Environment at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Seven: "Promoting Global Green Development for a Beautiful World." Distinguished experts and scholars from renowned universities, research institutes, international organizations, and agencies will engage in in-depth discussions on "New Trends in Global Green Development" and the "Vision of a Beautiful China by 2035," exploring strategic directions for synergizing the vision of a beautiful China with global green development.

Professor Yuan Li, Vice Dean of the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Eight: "The Process of Multi-Civilization and the Development of Global Civilization." Notable scholars from both China and abroad will engage in in-depth discussions on the themes of "Combining Two Elements for Harmonious Civilization Development" and "Civilization History from Diverse Perspectives."

Xiong Yuping, Secretary of the Communist Youth League at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Nine: "Youth Innovation Vitality and the Future of Global Development." This session will closely align with the Global Development Initiative, exploring the connection between youth innovation and the future of global development, emphasizing the responsibilities of youth in driving global progress. The session will also release the "Tongzhou Global Development Forum Youth Initiative."

Dr. Lian Chenchao, a lecturer at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Ten: "Rethinking Theories in the Past 100 Years: Building a New Model of Global Development and Governance." This session will delve into discussions on Chinese-style modernization and new models of globalization, and it will release a research report titled "Chinese-Style Modernization and New Models of Globalization."

Dr. Tian Lili, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages and Director of the International Communication and International Competence Language Center at Renmin University of China, introduced parallel session Eleven: "Global Challenges and Governance: Policy Strategies from China’s Youth." The session will publish a research report titled "Global Challenges and Global Governance: Policy Design by Chinese Youth," exploring global issues such as inclusive growth, sustainable development, green futures, universal health, and quality education from a youth perspective, aiming to amplify the voices of Chinese youth in promoting global governance.

During the Q&A session, media representatives inquired about the strategic significance of hosting the forum, the responsibilities of universities in global development, and how Renmin University can leverage its strengths to contribute to global prosperity. Liu Wei discussed the planning and development of Tongzhou District, emphasizing the commitment to high-quality development focused on green initiatives.

The Tongzhou Global Development Forum, co-hosted by Renmin University and the Tongzhou District Government, aims to establish a high-end dialogue platform for global political, academic, and business leaders to discuss strategic issues related to global development, security, and civilization, producing original and forward-looking research outcomes to guide China's development practices.