The 2026 Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was officially inaugurated on 24 March, in Boao, located in the Hainan Province, Southern China. This conference will take place until today (27) under the theme "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation". It was expected that around 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries and regions attended this conference, along with over 1,100 journalists representing diverse media outlets.
What is the BFA?
The BFA is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation, 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, which has served as the permanent location for its annual conference since 2002. Following the Asian financial crisis, the idea of creating the BFA was proposed in 1998 by three leaders: the former President of the Philippines, Fidel Valdez Ramos, the former Prime Minister of Australia Robert James Lee Hawke, and the former Premier of Japan Morihiro Hosokawa. The BFA was officially launched by 26 founding members in February 2001, under the collaborative effort of senior political figures from the Asia-Pacific region.
The Annual Conference of the BFA - 2026
The BFA is commemorating its 25th anniversary during this year's (2026) annual conference, which aligns with the commencement of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a framework aimed at promoting Chinese modernisation through high-quality development. In the conference, the Secretary General of the BFA, Zhang Jun stated that "we are confident that in the present context, multilateralism, economic globalisation, 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 per cent this year, representing 36.3% of the global economy by 2026. Experts indicate that the growth rate from the previous year (2025) has exceeded expectations, highlighting Asia's position as the leading engine of global growth.
The BFA and SL
Sri Lanka, a littoral State in South Asia with a strategically significant geographical position, has the potential to play a crucial role in the BFA, by capitalising on economic opportunities and becoming an integral part of Asian economic integration. In addressing the 2026 forum, Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted that this year’s theme 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, jeopardising 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 cyclone Ditwah, 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, he has indicated that the BFA 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 artificial intelligence ethics and governance.
Prof. S.C. Padmakumara is attached to the Colombo University’s International Relations Department
