The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)- Annual Conference 2026 for a Shared Future

The 2026 Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was officially inaugurated on 24th March 2026, in Boao, located in Hainan province, Southern China. This flagship conference will take place until 27th March under the theme “Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation,” which highlights the deep transformations and enduring challenges faced by the current world, along with the opportunities that remain for creating a shared future for betterment and humanity. According to People’s Daily Online, it is expected that around 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries and regions will attend this conference, along with over 1,100 journalists representing diverse media outlets.  

What is the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)?

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is a premier international non-profit and non-governmental organization, was established in 2001 and presently has 29 member countries. The forum, often referred to as the “Asian Davos”, derives its name from the town of Boao, located in the southern Hainan province of China, which has served as the permanent location for its annual conference since 2002. Following the Asian Financial Crisis, the idea of creating the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was proposed in 1998 by three distinguished leaders: Fidel V. Ramos, the former President of the Philippines; Bob Hawke, the former Prime Minister of Australia; and Morihiro Hosokawa, the former Prime Minister of Japan. The BFA was officially launched by 26 founding members in Hainan Province, China, in February 2001, under the collaborative effort of senior political figures from the Asia-Pacific region. The BFA held its first meeting from 12th to 13th April 2002.The headquarters of the BFA is located Boao, Hainan Province, People’s Republic of China. It aims to explore avenues for creating a shared future in Asia while integrating the region with the rest of the word. This forum generally serves as a platform for high-level dialogue involving governments, policymakers, leaders of international and regional organizations, business executives, and scholars to collectively discuss the most pressing issues in Asia and the world. The key objective of BFA is to facilitate and enhance economic exchanges, coordination, and collaboration within Asia and between Asia and other parts of the world, specifically by advocating for shared development in Asia. It also intends to establish a premium dialogue platform for jointly deliberate on economic, social, environmental, and other relevant issues in the region. From the inception, China serves as the main host, organizer, and leading economic driver of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), utilizing this platform to promote economic collaboration across Asia and the globe. Typically, China employs this forum to convey the nation’s dedication to “broadening its openness” and enhancing multiculturalism.   

The Annual Conference of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)-2026

The BFA is commemorating its 25th anniversary during this year’s annual conference, which aligns with the commencement of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a framework aimed at promoting Chinese modernization through high-quality development. According to the news sources, the distinguished participants in the 2026 Annual Conference include Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and Roman Sklyar, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Moreover, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Minseok will participate the forum via online. In the conference, ZHANG JUN, the Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, stated that “we are confident that in the present context, multilateralism, economic globalization, and the sustainable development process are still strong and dynamic. Openness, collaboration, and mutually beneficial development persist in serving the collective interests of all stakeholders’’. Meanwhile the flagship reports published by the 2026 forum forecasts that Asia’s economy will expand by 4.5% this year, representing 36.3% of the global economy by 2026. Experts indicate that the growth rate from the previous year has exceeded expectations, highlighting Asia’s position as the leading engine of global growth. This indicates Asia’s ability to promote economic partnership and its significance in the global economy  

The Boao Forum for Asia and Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka, a littoral state in South Asia with a strategically significant geographical position, has the potential to play a crucial role in The Boao Forum for Asia, by capitalizing on economic opportunities and becoming an integral part of Asian economic integration. In addressing the 2026 forum, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted that this year’s theme, “Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation,” is particularly timely and pertinent to the current global context. The international landscape is evolving in ways that are both intricate and unpredictable. Further he has asserted that conflicts persist in disrupting lives and economies, jeopardizing decades of advancement. Geopolitical tensions are causing fragmentation in global cooperation at a moment when unity is most essential. Economic systems are undergoing transformation, geopolitical alliances are changing, and societies are adjusting to new realities at an unprecedented rate. Simultaneously, the climate crisis is escalating, leading to an increase in natural disasters, such as the adverse weather conditions recently experienced by Sri Lanka during the Ditwah Cyclone, which poses threats to food and water security and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. These complex and global challenges have rendered cooperation a necessity rather than an option. In this context, The Speaker has indicated that the Boao Forum stands out as one of the leading forums for collective efforts to tackle these common challenges via South-South cooperation, which is based on mutual respect and shared opportunities and responsibilities. He has further expressed his hope that collaborations across Asia will be crucial in positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for trade, investment, and innovation in the Asia-Pacific area. According to the experts, this forum is crucial for Sri Lanka to secure economic opportunities while enhancing its role in South-South cooperation that advocates for Asian perspectives on development and sustainability. Furthermore, this forum will create long-term prospects for tackling cross-border challenges that persist, particularly in areas such as data security, varying technical standards, and vulnerabilities in supply chains, in addition to issues related to AI ethics and governance. These transnational challenges cannot be resolved by the capabilities of any single nation; they necessitate collaborative regional responses such as the BFA.  

The Boao Forum as a New Approach to Multilateralism 

The key feature of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is that it provides a significant platform for multi-party engagements, linking various stakeholders essential for promoting and sustaining economic collaboration. Therefore, it can be stated that the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) aligns well with multi-track diplomacy which offer a holistic approach that integrate both state and non- state actors. In this context, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) offers a range of opportunities for its members, founded on more inclusive policy frameworks that advance shared interests and a common future. Amidst this crisis and the emerging uncertainties in the world, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) can act as a viable source of alternatives for countries aiming to build more resilience. Furthermore, it provides member countries with opportunities to lessen their economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities while encouraging collaboration and joint efforts. Notably, the active participation of China in this forum can amplify the opportunities for member countries and help stabilize the global economic order. On the other hand, the BFA forum will help participants in discovering the narratives behind China’s achievements in economic development, modernization, strategic communication, and technological progress, which can be beneficial for other nations to implement while advocating for Asian-centered economic model. The flagship reports published in this forum contribute to the understanding of Asia’s standing in the global economy, its potential as a significant economic driver, the challenges that hinder economic progress in the region, and the collective solutions that Asia can pursue to enhance its economies and sustain regional stability. In comparison to other platforms aimed at promoting regional collaboration, it is evident that the BFA has embraced an informal and gradual strategy to enhance trust among its members, creating a more inclusive atmosphere while strategically steering clear of geopolitical and bilateral concerns, with a greater focus on functional advantages.  

Professor S.C. Padmakumara ,

Department of International Relations

University of Colombo