On the afternoon of September 11, 2025, the "2025 Roundtable on Inclusive Development of Global Trade in Services" was held in Beijing. The event was jointly hosted by the Global Alliance for Trade in Services (GATS) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), with support from the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Its theme was "Promoting Inclusive Development of Global Trade in Services."

Jiang Zengwei, President of GATIS, stated in his opening speech that global trade in services has been growing at a sustained and rapid pace, empowered by digital technologies, and has emerged as a core driver and innovation engine for global economic growth. However, influenced by multiple factors such as unilateralism, geopolitical conflicts, digital divide, and developmental disparities, there is still a huge gap for developing economies, MSMEs, and vulnerable groups such as females in fair participation in trade in services and just access to development benefits. The trade in services and even the world economy face a huge risk of imbalance. Therefore, bolstering inclusive development in trade in services has become an urgent need to address current challenges and achieve balanced global economic and trade growth. The roundtable aims to focus on practical pathways, push forward the implementation of consensus, and maintain solid momentum in building a new global trade in services landscape that brings inclusive development and mutual benefits.

The "2025 Roundtable on Inclusive Development of Global Trade in Services" features opening remarks, initiative release, thematic discussion and open discussion. Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of ITC delivered a speech.

Ms. Luz Maria de la Mora, Director of Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD, made a thematic speech on promoting inclusive development through trade in services.

Mr. Zhao Weidong, Secretary-General of GATIS, launched the Initiative on Promoting Inclusive Development of Global Trade in Services 2025, which aims to jointly promote equal opportunities, shared benefits, and sustainable development of trade in services, enabling economies at all levels, diverse businesses and communities to participate and benefit. The initiative proposes that all parties will jointly commit to: promoting inclusive development of trade in services; improving trade in services rules; supporting capacity building in developing countries; enhancing human resources and knowledge exchange; strengthening trade in services statistics; and advancing inclusive development of supply chains.

The thematic discussion session on promoting inclusive development by industry organizations was presided over by Ms. Wu Dong, Senior Economic Affairs Officer for Trade in Services, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD. Mr. Zhu Guangyao, Bureau Level Official at Level 2 of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of the Ministry of Commerce (Deputy Director-General Level), Mr. Shandre Mugan Thangavelu, Head of the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia at Sunway University, Malaysia, Ms. Jane Drake-Brockman, Executive Director of the Australian Services Roundtable, Mr. Nanno Mulder, Chief of International Trade and Integration Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and Mr. Ki-Chan Kim, Chair of the Organization for Trade Development and Standards Cooperation (ODCCN), shared their cutting-edge insights and practical experiences, providing practical and feasible policy recommendations for governments and enterprises worldwide.

The thematic discussion session on promoting inclusive development with digital intelligence technology was presided over by Mr. Zhao Quan, Senior Programme Officer of ITC. Ms. Nadia Rasheed, UNFPA Representative to China, Mr. Lance Yau, Senior Manager of the Beijing Office of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), Mr. Daniel Cowen, Head of Greater China Trade and Economics, World Economic Forum (WEF), Ms. Chinyere Almona, Director-General at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria, Ms. Devi Ariyani, Executive Director of the Indonesia Services Dialogue (ISD) Council, Mr. Kiran Singh, President of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC) in Trinidad and Tobago, and Mr. Victor Queiroz, General Manager of the Asia-Pacific Office of ApexBrasil, discussed the theme and approaches for trade in services to promote regional coordinated development.

The thematic discussion session on promoting inclusive development through business services was presided over by Mr. Bruno Masier, President of the World Trade Point Federation (WTPF). Mr. Wang Yunfeng, CTO of Beijing Zhidemai Technology Co., Ltd., Mr. Magnus Sprenger, Audit Service Partner at Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, Mr. Huang Jinhui, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Reanda Certified Public Accountants LLP, Mr. Che Chengjun, President of Sanya Fenghuang Notary Office, Hainan Province, Mr. Kong Xin, Partner at Commerce & Finance Law Offices, and Mr. Sam, Vice President of Zhuanzhuan Group, shared their experiences in the development of the service sector and their innovative practices around the topic, providing references and inspiration for enterprises and institutions dedicated to expanding their businesses and broadening their development perspectives.

The "2025 Roundtable on Inclusive Development of Global Trade in Services" is one of the series of events held by GATIS for the first time during the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). It aims to share growth experiences, trend assessments, and policy recommendations, and to explore opportunities and innovative approaches for trade in services by addressing key domestic and international issues and member enterprises' concerns.

GATIS will continue to uphold the principles of neutrality, openness, inclusiveness, and innovation, while focusing on exchange and cooperation, think tank research, and policy dialogue. It will collaborate with global enterprises, business associations, professional institutions, and industry organizations to strengthen international exchange and promote advanced liberalization and facilitation of trade in services.

It will continue working with all partners to advance the initiative, promote inclusive and sustainable development of global trade in services, and contribute to global economic recovery and the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The meeting was presided over by Mr. Chen Ning, Deputy Secretary-General of GATIS. More than 150 representatives from international organizations such as UNCTAD, ITC, and UNFPA, as well as from embassies from over ten countries and regions including Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, and Nigeria in China, international organizations, government officials, think tank scholars, and member organizations attended the event.