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

As global leaders convene for the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, discussions center around the key theme "A Spirit of Dialogue." Amid escalating geopolitical uncertainties and increasing pressure on trade and investment, a pressing question arises: how can the circulation of people, commerce, and capital remain efficient and resilient?

According to the International Monetary Fund, global economic growth is projected to slow in 2026. Advanced economies are grappling with structural challenges, while emerging markets face higher financing costs and friction in cross-border transactions. In these conditions, the foundational capabilities enabling international economic activities — especially payments — are proving essential.

In light of this global economic realignment, UnionPay, one of the largest card payment organizations worldwide, is focusing on cross-border network connectivity as a practical starting point. Rather than positioning itself solely as a global payment service provider, UnionPay is innovating to foster an open and inclusive international payments ecosystem. This approach hinges on multilateral collaboration, interoperability, and the concept of shared value.

A Transformative Approach to Connectivity

Currently, UnionPay cards are issued in 84 countries, with a network acceptance spanning 183 nations. Through partnerships with over 2,600 financial institutions and payment industry operators around the globe, UnionPay has introduced digital payment products and services tailored to local markets, thereby supporting commerce and consumption.

Dong Junfeng, President of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, addressed the World Economic Forum's roundtable, highlighting that UnionPay's developments over the past two decades reflect China's broader trajectory of economic resilience and continued openness. Against a more complex global backdrop, UnionPay has remained steadfast in its international strategy, promoting high-quality development in the payment industry based on principles of equality, mutual benefit, and shared growth.

To expand cross-border payments, UnionPay has developed a "new four-party model" for the digital payments era that encourages cooperation between networks (N2N) and governments (G2G). This model broadens participation from both sides of the ecosystem, incorporating digital wallets and mobile device manufacturers, as well as payment service providers and SaaS platforms. Through bilateral and multilateral collaboration, this model seeks to pool high-quality resources, reduce cross-border cooperation costs, and accelerate network expansion.

Notably, UnionPay has implemented this approach in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, key emerging markets where it is fostering interoperability among cross-border payment networks via QR codes. Importantly, this model operates within existing regulatory frameworks, promoting mutual recognition of standards and coordinated network development while enhancing local initiatives to improve payment infrastructure.

Consequently, tens of millions of micro, small, and medium enterprises worldwide are connected to UnionPay’s inclusive global network, gaining improved access to international consumers and cross-border business opportunities.

Responsible AI in Payments: Driving Innovation

Artificial intelligence has been a focal point of discussions in Davos, given its potential to redefine economic structures and growth models. However, in the payment sector, characterized by stringent security and compliance requirements, the challenge lies in harnessing innovation while effectively managing risk.

UnionPay positions itself as a leading financial service provider in AI applications, viewing AI as a new productivity engine to support intelligent payment upgrades. Instead of focusing on isolated use cases, it has adopted a collaborative approach, partnering with tech companies, research institutions, and universities to create a shared ecosystem of AI applications that supports sustainable and high-quality implementation in financial scenarios.

For payment security, UnionPay has developed an intelligent risk control system that significantly enhances the timeliness and effectiveness of transaction protection. AI-generated risk expert guidelines now achieve an accuracy rate of 85%.

Additionally, UnionPay is among the industry pioneers in agent-based payment solutions. Its MCP agent payment service allows users to navigate the entire process, from request to payment, through conversational interaction.

As China continues to expand its visa-free travel policies, UnionPay has also introduced AI-based services for inbound visitors. Through its unique digital platform, the "Nihao China" app launched in December 2025, AI is applied to payment guidance, multilingual translation, itinerary planning, and everyday life tips, offering international travelers a smoother experience.

Building Long-Term Value Through Dialogue and Cooperation

Ultimately, UnionPay’s practices reflect the spirit of dialogue emphasized at Davos. By collaborating with local payment systems across various markets, UnionPay aims not to impose a singular model or standard but to find common ground amidst diversity, creatively constructing a more open and inclusive global payment ecosystem.

By enhancing the efficiency of cross-border payments and lowering transaction costs, UnionPay supports regional economic circulation and enables broader participation from small and medium-sized operators, particularly in emerging markets. This cooperation-driven approach aligns closely with the values repeatedly emphasized by the World Economic Forum during these uncertain times.

Looking ahead, UnionPay will continue leveraging connectivity to deepen multilateral collaboration, contributing to a more open, inclusive, and sustainable international payment ecosystem, in line with its vision of "Trusted Ties, Shared Success."