UnionPay's Vision for Cross-Border Payments at Davos 2026: Connectivity and AI Integration

UnionPay at Davos: Pioneering Cross-Border Payments with Connectivity and AI

As global leaders meet at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, the focus shifts to the challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainties and their impact on global trade and investment. Among these challenges lies a critical concern: how can we ensure the seamless flow of people, commerce, and capital across borders in an era marked by rising tensions?

The International Monetary Fund forecasts a tempering of global economic growth in 2026, presenting hurdles especially for advanced economies, which are experiencing structural challenges, while emerging markets face rising financing costs and transaction frictions. Amid these tumultuous times, the infrastructure essential for facilitating international economic activities, particularly payments, has never been more crucial.

In this context, UnionPay, recognized as one of the world's leading card payment organizations, is adopting a proactive approach. Rather than simply positioning itself as a global payment service provider, UnionPay is committed to developing cross-border network connectivity as a pivotal strategy. The company aims to establish an open and inclusive international payment ecosystem driven by multilateral collaboration and technological interoperability, which in turn fosters shared value among stakeholders.

Currently, UnionPay operates with its cards issued in 84 countries and regions, while the acceptance of its payment network extends to 183 nation-states. This extensive reach is supported by partnerships with over 2,600 financial institutions and payment stakeholders worldwide, allowing UnionPay to deliver digital payment products tailored to local needs and facilitate commerce on a global scale. During his address at a World Economic Forum roundtable discussion, UnionPay's Chairman, Dong Junfeng, emphasized that the company’s development over more than two decades mirrors China's economic resilience and its ongoing commitment to opening up to the world.

Advancing the New Four-Party Model in Cross-Border Payments

Scaling cross-border payments challenges technical integration alone; it requires the establishment of sustainable and replicable cooperative models. In recent years, UnionPay has articulated a