#Switzerland #UnionPay #Cross-Border Payments #Davos #WEF2026

Transforming Cross-Border Payments: UnionPay at Davos 2026

As global leaders gather at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, the theme of ‘spirit of dialogue’ underscores pressing issues related to geopolitical uncertainty and economic resilience. A primary concern emerges: how can the movement of people, goods, and capital remain efficient and robust in these challenging times?

The International Monetary Fund has forecast a slowdown in global economic growth for 2026 due to structural headwinds faced by advanced economies and rising financing costs in emerging markets. This context emphasizes the crucial need for efficient payment systems that underpin international economic activity, highlighting the role of companies like UnionPay in facilitating these needs.

UnionPay, one of the world's largest card payment service providers, is shifting focus towards enhancing cross-border connectivity rather than merely acting as a payments service provider. The company is committed to fostering an open and inclusive international payment ecosystem rooted in multilateral collaboration and interoperability. Furthermore, UnionPay is embracing the responsible application of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in payments processes, striving for balance among efficiency, security, and financial inclusion.

As of now, UnionPay issues cards in 84 countries and regions while providing acceptance networks in 183 countries, thanks to over 2,600 partnerships with financial institutions and payment sector stakeholders. This has enabled the launch of local market-specific digital payment products and services designed to enhance trade and consumer experiences worldwide.

During a roundtable at the World Economic Forum, Dong Junfeng, President of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, articulated the company's steadfast commitment to innovation and collaboration. The development of UnionPay over the past two decades reflects a broader trajectory of China’s economic resilience and ongoing openness to global markets. In an increasingly complex world environment, UnionPay stays true to its international strategy by promoting high-quality development within payments and advancing cooperative frameworks built on equality, mutual benefits, and shared growth.

Promoting a New Quadripartite Model in Emerging Markets

The expansion of cross-border payments relies on sustainable and reproducible cooperation models that extend beyond mere technical integration. Recently, UnionPay has introduced a ‘new quadripartite model’ applicable in the digital payment era. This innovative model relies on network-to-network (N2N) and government-to-government (G2G) collaboration to enhance participatory ecosystems.

Building on the traditional quadripartite payment frameworks, this approach includes participants from both sides of the ecosystem. It incorporates digital wallets and mobile device manufacturers on the account side alongside payment service providers, payment aggregators, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms on the acceptance side. Through bilateral and multilateral collaborations, this model aims to utilize high-quality resources, reduce cross-border cooperation costs, and expedite network expansion.

UnionPay has successfully applied this strategy in key emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, promoting interoperability between cross-border payment networks via QR codes. Notably, this model does not aim to replace local payment systems but operates within existing regulatory frameworks, encouraging mutual recognition of standards and coordinated network development while backing local initiatives aimed at improving payment infrastructure.

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

Responsible AI in Payments: A Practical Innovation

Amid discussions at Davos regarding the potential of artificial intelligence to redefine economic structures and growth models, UnionPay emphasizes the need for safety and compliance within payment systems. The challenge lies in harnessing this innovation while effectively managing associated risks.

UnionPay regards AI as a new productivity driver to intelligently modernize payments systems. Unlike seeking isolated use cases, the company adopts a collaborative approach, partnering with tech firms, research institutes, and universities to build a shared AI application ecosystem capable of supporting sustainable quality deployments in various financial scenarios.

In terms of payment security, UnionPay has established an intelligent risk control system significantly improving transaction protection effectiveness and speed. Expert-generated risk rules derived from AI currently achieve an accuracy rate of 85%.

Moreover, UnionPay is at the forefront with its agent-based payment solutions. Its MCP Agent service enables users to complete the full journey from request to payment through a conversational interface. With China expanding visa-free travel policies, UnionPay has also rolled out AI-driven services for inbound visitors. Launched in December 2025, the central digital platform ‘Nihao China’ offers international travelers a seamless experience utilizing AI for payment guidance, multilingual translation, itinerary planning, and daily life recommendations.

From Dialogue to Cooperation: Creating Long-Term Value in Cross-Border Payments

UnionPay’s core operations reflect the spirit of dialogue promoted at Davos. By collaborating with local payment systems across all markets, the company seeks not to impose a singular model or standard but rather to identify common ground within diversity. This creates a unique global payments ecosystem that is more open and inclusive.

By improving the efficiency of cross-border payments and reducing transaction costs, UnionPay supports regional economic circuits and encourages greater participation from small and medium enterprises, especially in emerging markets. Central to this cooperative spirit and win-win strategy, UnionPay's approach resonates with the values emphasized repeatedly by the World Economic Forum during this uncertain period.

Remaining loyal to its principle of joint success built on trust, UnionPay aspires to continue leveraging connectivity to deepen multilateral cooperation, contributing to a more open, inclusive, and sustainable international payments ecosystem.