IMPERIAL SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2025

Imperial Springs Conference Center, Guangzhou, China | 1 – 3 December

Under the theme “For Global Cooperation and Solidarity”, ISIF 2025 focused on addressing critical global challenges, including strategic stability, global governance, AI, global public goods and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through an inclusive and collaborative dialogue, the forum fostered meaningful exchanges aimed at advancing shared solutions.

The recommendations emerging from ISIF 2025 feed directly into global debates, strengthening multilateral institutions and responding to today’s evolving international cooperation needs. Following the success of ISIF 2024 — the first edition ever held in Madrid (Spain) — the forum has now adopted a rotating format, taking place one year in China and the next in Madrid. This new structure expands ISIF’s global reach and deepens cross-regional collaboration, reinforcing its role as a key platform for constructive international dialogue.

SPEAKERS

AGENDA

PRESS RELEASE

SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES

Addressing Global Challenges

Through Inclusive Exchange

Last year in ISIF 2024 explored solutions in areas such as green technology and artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on sustainable progress and mutual respect in global cooperation. This approach underscores the importance of understanding and respect between different cultures as the foundation for constructive global dialogue. ISIF is committed to bridging cultural and political divides to address common challenges in an interconnected world.

High-Level Participation

 

The 2024 edition brought together over 130 political leaders, dignitaries, and experts from more than 40 countries, including former heads of state and government, academics, and representatives of international organizations. Additionally, the participation of a high-level government delegation from China emphasizes the significance this country places on the forum, symbolizing ISIF’s role as a platform for mutual understanding and global cooperation.

Madrid | Guangzhou

Cities of Dialogue

ISIF 2025 will be in China, but for the first time, ISIF was hosted outside China, with Madrid as the chosen city. This decision highlights Spain’s role in strengthening multilateral dialogue and reflects the country’s dedication to stability and shared progress in international relations. Hosting ISIF 2024 in a European city underscores the forum’s ambition to bring multilateral dialogues closer to a wider range of international actors and to advance a more inclusive and cooperative world order.

Previous Video | ISIF 2024

ISIF: A KEY PLATFORM FOR GLOBAL DIALOGUE

Since 2014, ISIF has established itself as a high-level platform fostering mutual understanding and cooperation on critical global issues.

As a “diplomacy 1.5” space, ISIF combines both formal and informal dialogues, creating an open exchange of perspectives and building trust among leaders across various sectors. This dialogue promotes the pursuit of mutual understanding and cooperation as the most effective path to address shared challenges in a globalized world.

In recent years, ISIF has adopted a rotating format, taking place one year in China — its historic home in Imperial Springs, Guangzhou — and the following year in Madrid (Spain). This alternation strengthens its mission by bringing global dialogue closer to diverse regions, deepening cross-regional understanding and expanding participation from a wider range of international actors.

CO-ORGANIZERS

THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION FOR FRIENDSHIP WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES (CPAFFC)

The CPAFFC is a national people’s organisation engaged in people-to-people diplomacy of the People’s Republic of China. Founded in 1954, it aims to enhance international friendship, promote cooperation, foster world peace and promote common development. On behalf of the Chinese people, it makes friends and deepens friendship in the international community and various countries around the world, lays and expands the social basis of friendly relations between China and other countries, and works for the cause of human progress and solidarity. The CPAFFC plays a significant role in managing China’s sister city relationships and coordinates various influence operations abroad. It has established relationships with nearly 413 non-government organizations in 157 countries.

THE AUSTRALIA AND CHINA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION (ACFEA)

The ACFEA was registered in September 2005 in New South Wales, Australia, as a non-profit organisation. The president of the association is Dr Chau Chak Wing, a prestigious leader in the Chinese community of Australia. Its Advisory Board consists of members interested in promoting people-to-people contact between Australia and China. The ACFEA’s mission is to foster friendly exchanges and people-to-people connections between Australia and China in areas such as trade, economy, culture, education, arts, and science, while also organising high-profile bilateral dialogues or events. The ACFEA headquarters is in Sydney, Australia, with representative offices located in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. The organisation continues to play an important role in facilitating cultural and economic ties between Australia and China, reflecting the ongoing significance of the bilateral relationship.

PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE

The People’s Government of Guangdong Province governs China’s southernmost mainland province, adjacent to the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. As of 2023, Guangdong’s GDP reached an impressive 13.57 trillion yuan, maintaining its status as the country’s economic leader for 35 consecutive years. The province boasts a diverse industrial structure, with the manufacturing sector contributes 32.7% to the regional GDP, while modern services account for 65% of the service sector. Innovation is a cornerstone of Guangdong’s growth, with R&D spending hitting approximately 460 billion yuan, or 3.39% of its GDP, positioning it at the forefront of China’s innovation rankings. The business landscape is robust, featuring over 18 million registered entities, including 7.8 million enterprises. Additionally, the ongoing development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area initiative remains a key priority, aiming to further integrate the region and enhance its global competitiveness, solidifying Guangdong’s role as a key player in China’s economic development.

CLUB DE MADRID

Club de Madrid is the world’s largest forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, who leverage their unique leadership experience and global reach to strengthen inclusive democratic practice and improve the well-being of people around the world. As a non-partisan and international non-profit organisation, Club de Madrid counts on the hands-on governance experience of more than 100 Members from over 70 countries, along with a global network of advisers and partners across all sectors of society. This unique alliance stimulates dialogue, builds bridges and engages in advocacy efforts to strengthen public policies and effective leadership through recommendations that tackle challenges such as inclusion, sustainable development and peace, at the national and international levels.

HOW TO ARRIVE

IMPERIAL SPRINGS

China, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou,

Cong Hua Qu, 从都大道1号 邮政编码: 510970