The Global Development Initiative Shenzhen (Longhua) Exchange Session took place at the Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) in Longhua District on Sept. 13.

The event, attended by representatives from Shenzhen-based firms as well as government officials and experts from 20 countries, highlighted key areas of global development, including green development, public health, industrialization, the digital economy, and connectivity.

A representative from Yesun Investment Group delivers a speech during the event. Courtesy of LICC

Zhong Jiajun, deputy director general of the Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, offered a warm welcome to the participants and delivered a speech on Shenzhen’s high-quality, rapid development.

Li Xiaofeng, director of the LICC, also gave a presentation on Longhua District and introduced the center’s role and mission in detail.

Amha Hailegeorgis Ayele, deputy director general of the Middle East, Asia, & Pacific DG of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared that the Global Development Initiative strongly aligns with Ethiopia’s own goals and development priorities.

“This event provides an essential platform — not just for discussion, but for turning principles into policy and policy into tangible impact. It’s about building real, practical cooperation. The chance to connect with experts and exchange experiences with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities is invaluable. The connections we make here will undoubtedly continue to bear fruit,” he added.

Amha Hailegeorgis Ayele delivers a speech during the event.

The event also provided a platform for five Shenzhen firms to promote their products.

Precious Habani Munyungano, director of macroeconomic planning in the National Planning Commission of Namibia, was impressed by the presentation of Sino-Swed TongKang Bio-Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. Interested in the company’s early cancer detection product, she emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that cancer is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of death worldwide, and many people often seek testing too late.