Beijing Creative Economy Forum. “Creativity. Technology and Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Fashion”.

Organized by Beijing Municipal Government in collaboration with UNCTAD’s Creative Economy Programme.

Co-hosted by

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• World Trade Point Federation
• Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau
• Beijing Yabaolu International Chamber of Commerce

Background

The creative economy is recognized as a significant sector and a meaningful contributor to national gross domestic product. It has spurred innovation and knowledge transfer across all sectors of the economy and is a critical sector to foster inclusive development.

With export growth rates of over 7% over 13 years, global trade in creative goods is an expanding and resilient sector buoyed by China, according to a new UNCTAD report. The new UNCTAD report on trends in international trade of creative industries show that between 2010 and 2015 creative goods exports have outpaced global merchandise exports, which only grew an average of 1.5% compared to creative goods exports which grew at a rate of 4%.

Governments are working to turn their countries’ creative industries into engines of economic growth. Through incentives and regulation governments can help create the right conditions for creative economies to flourish. The size of creative economies is already big in some parts of the world, 6-8 % of GDP in Europe, however, developing countries, are increasingly stepping up efforts to maximize the contribution of the creative economy to wider economy for development gains.

Purpose

In the wake of the launch of the second edition of UNCTAD’s Creative Economy Outlook Report in Chinese within the framework of the CIFTIS fair, the Forum on Creative Economy will aim to assess the contribution of creative industries to economic growth and the building of productive capacities.  This discussion is particularly relevant as the recently launched UNCTAD report shows the resilience of the global market for creative industries. By offering economic insights into the trade in creative goods and services, the meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to better understand their creative economies, leverage gaps and amplify areas of performance. The Forum will also consider recent innovative developments combining traditional brands with fashion, design, innovation and sustainability trends that may influence the way the market evolves in the future.

Questions for discussion

• What is the role of governments for the development of creative economies and which regulatory tools need to be implemented? What are the experiences from developing countries?
• What is driving the international trade of design and fashion industries and what are the future trends?
• What policies and measures are needed to support the integration of digital technologies and the fashion industry to empower innovation?
• How to stimulate sustainable patterns throughout the value chain of the design/fashion industry, from creation, distribution, marketing and trade?

Organization:

1. A high-policy dialogue to highlight the role of the governments in shaping a creative economy for trade, jobs and sustainable development
2. An expert panel focused on design and fashion trends integrating innovation, technology and sustainable development. Design and fashion industries are potential sectors for developing countries to leverage on their local creativity and talent.
3. A roundtable dialogue with industry insiders and creators to discuss opportunities and challenges in the industry.
4. A fashion show: It will showcase ethnic dresses, ethnic embroidery and a fashion craftsmen skill show.
5. Inauguration of Art Exhibition “Hispanic Bronzes, the new Silk Road”

Programme

29 May 2019 (afternoon)

13.30-14.00     Registration

14.00-14.05     Welcome

Moderator announces the opening of the Forum and introduces the guests

14.05-15.00     High-Level Policy Dialogue

• Bruno Masier, President of the World Trade Point Federation
• E. Mr. Nicolas Chapuis, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China
• E Mr. Luis Diego Monsalve Hoyos, Ambassador of Colombia to the People’s Republic of China
• E. Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia
• Official of Beijing Municipal Government – Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau.
• Concluding remarks by Ms. Pamela Coke Hamilton, Director, Division on International Trade and commodities, UNCTAD

15.05-16.55 Expert Panel: highlights on traditional culture, technology, creativity and sustainable fashion

• Marisa Henderson, Chief, UNCTAD Creative Economy
• UNIDO (name to be confirmed)
• UNESCO National Commission
• Xia Hua, Chairman of EVE Group, The Chinese wisdom and the way of innovation
• Cristina Drago, Director Trade Point Ragusa, Italy EU Expert introduces the success of fashion Industry “Made in Italy, a green approach”
• Li Ruofan, General Manager of Tencent Creative Design Department
• Zou You, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, introduces recent research results in fashion design, creativity and technology
• Ma Jia, Director of Beijing Yabaolu International Chamber, Director of introduces fashion design based on relevant information of Russian International Brand Clothing Exhibition.

16.55-17.25  Roundtable Conversation by industry insiders and creators

• Moderator: Ms. Ma Jia, Director of Beijing Yabaolu International Trade Chamber
• Murcia Economic Development Bureau, Spain (INFO)
• Wang Jing, Chairman and President of TOREAD Holding Group Co.
• Cheng Xu, Deputy General Manager and CMO of Beijing Neiliansheng shoe Co. Ltd. (hand-made traditional Chinese shoe company)
• Russian fashion brand enterprises
• Concluding remarks: Ms. Carolina Quintana, Partnerships and networking, Creative Economy Programme, UNCTAD

17.25-18.00 Fashion show

Ethnic Dress, Ethnic Embroidery and Fashion Craftsmen Skills Show.

30 May 2019 (morning)

Inauguration of Art Exhibition “Hispanic Bronzes, the new Silk Road”. UNCTAD is helping in the implementation of the art exhibition in CIFTIS which is organized by the Spanish Government with the support of the European Union.

Opening ceremony: Ms. Pamela Coke Hamilton, Director, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD, Beijing Municipal Government, Spanish Development Agency for the Region of Murcia (INFO) and Artist.

Cutting ribbon ceremony