The event will be focusing on connectivity as the main theme as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to provide a new platform for international economic cooperation and add fresh impetus to participating countries’ development and world economic growth. China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations.

According to the World Bank, by 2030, BRI transport infrastructure, if fully implemented, is expected to increase global real income by 0.7% to 2.9% lifting 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty.

President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a keynote speech and hold a welcoming banquet and bilateral events for the guests attending the forum.