Amid shifting global dynamics, international figures at the 2026 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) are turning their attention eastward, highlighting Asia as a source of stability.
While discussions at the forum focused on economic cooperation and social challenges, two high-profile guests emphasized a noticeable shift in the global center of gravity toward Asia during interview with China Global Television Network.
Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), expressed deep concern that fundamental rules are too often disregarded, so he is looking to major countries especially China for positive influence.
"Well, it's very important that influential countries and the great powers like China place this positive role and exerts a positive influence. China has made international cooperation and multilateralism pillars of global engagement. And we certainly need multilateral institutions and international law as fundamental pillars to sustain this cooperation," he said.
Teresa Cheng, secretary-general of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), similarly pointed to Asia as a stabilizing force.
"Asia at the moment is very clearly the growth engine of the whole economy in the world. And of course also if one looks around the world, Asia is actually the anchor of stability. So as a growth engine and an anchor of stability, there is also a number of another very important feature in the context of Asia, and that is our cultural diversity, our ability to coexist in a very peaceful and also inclusive manner," she said.
She also stressed the value of pragmatism at the Boao Forum, noting its focus on tangible outcomes.
"It's also very important that I notice the emphasis of a result-oriented approach because mere talking would not be good enough. So by having a plan and actually implementing them becomes something that is very important from the way that the BOAO Forum over its 25 years have already gone and taken into effect," she said.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the BFA. The forum has become a prestigious platform for promoting exchanges, collaboration and common development among Asian nations and the wider world.
The four-day event concluded on Friday in China's island province of Hainan.
World leaders at Boao Forum look eastward for solutions to global challenges
