GTF 2026 Program
Two days of keynotes, plenaries, panel discussions, and closed roundtables.
Full Schedule
Day 1 — Tuesday, December 1
Attendee arrival
Registration, badge collection and refreshments
Opening remarks
Welcome by Forum organiser and key founding partners
Keynote speech 1
Speaker TBD
Keynote speech 2
Speaker TBD
Networking dinner
A hosted evening reception bringing together participants and partners.
Day 2 — Wednesday, December 2
Morning — Plenary Sessions
Attendee arrival and light breakfast
Welcome and opening remarks for the day
25 min
Redefining the Digital World: Governance, Trusted Tech and International Cooperation
50 min
As digital transformation reshapes economies, societies, and global power dynamics, leaders from government and industry will explore the emerging architecture of the digital world and how governance, innovations, international cooperation, and societal interests can be aligned to create a trusted and inclusive digital future.
Japan's Leadership in a Transforming World
50 min
At the same time, Japan is pursuing one of the most ambitious visions of technological renewal in the world — strengthening its own capabilities while placing international partnership at the heart of the effort. This session examines how Japan brings together technological leadership and global cooperation, and what its approach offers a world working to balance national priorities with shared progress.
The Data Governance Grand Bargain
20 min
Lunch break and networking
Afternoon — Block 1 · 13:15–14:45
13:15–13:55
Who Sets the Rules for AI?
40 min
Advanced AI is developed in a small number of economies, yet its impact is global — and its governance remains unsettled. As governments take different paths, the world faces a defining choice: shared, connected rules for AI, or a patchwork of competing ones? This session compares how different economies are approaching AI governance, where they align and diverge, and ask how the world can build rules that work across borders.
14:00–14:40
Public-Private Partnership for the New Economy
40 min
Public–private partnerships are central to building the new digital economy. This session asks: what are the most successful partnership models that any government can adopt or adapt? Panellists will share what works, the lessons learned, and how to make digital partnerships faster, fairer, and easier to scale.
13:15–13:55
Why Advanced Economies Need Global Digital Development
40 min
Digital inequality between countries is becoming a constraint on global growth, innovation, and connectivity. This session examines why advanced economies have a strategic interest in supporting digital development in emerging and transition economies, and what models can make that cooperation effective.
14:00–14:20
Fireside chat
20 min
14:20–14:40
Fireside chat
20 min
13:15–14:45
Future of the Workforce
This roundtable will surface three of the most pressing questions for discussion — from reskilling in an age of accelerating AI, to responsibility and funding for managing the transition, to what it will take to ensure emerging economies can prepare before change fully arrives.
13:15–14:45
Trusted Dual-Use Innovation: Scaling and Integration Across Partners
This roundtable explores how partners can deepen cooperation on trusted innovation in an era of fast-cycle, dual-use technologies. With a particular focus on scaling solutions across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, it will consider what a more agile, secure, and interoperable model for cross-border dual-use tech collaboration could look like.
13:15–14:45
The Central Asia Plus Japan Dialogue
Building on the summit-level “Central Asia plus Japan” framework, this roundtable convenes senior officials and experts from Japan and Central Asian states for an off‑the‑record discussion with a focus on the digital dimension.
Afternoon — Block 2 · 15:00–16:30
15:00–15:20
Fireside chat — Spotlight speaker
20 min
15:20–15:40
Fireside chat
20 min
15:40–16:20
The Great Workforce Transition
40 min
As AI reshapes economies, some jobs will disappear, many will change, and entirely new professions will emerge. This session examines how governments, companies, and education systems can respond and help build a workforce ready for the next decade.
15:00–15:40
Quantum Computing: The Next Great-Power Race
40 min
Quantum computing will reshape cybersecurity, scientific research, defense, and economic competitiveness. This session examines the global race for quantum leadership, the risks and opportunities it creates, and what governments and industry must do to remain competitive in — and effectively prepare for — the quantum era.
15:40–16:00
Fireside chat
20 min
16:00–16:20
Fireside chat — Spotlight speaker
20 min
15:00–16:30
Platform for Inclusive Digital Growth
This roundtable will explore two interconnected questions for inclusive digital growth: how developing countries can co‑design the digital future based on trusted technological foundations, and how to build the long-term partnerships needed to sustain it. Participants will identify the toughest barriers as well as the most promising pathways for collaboration.
15:00–16:30
Trustworthy AI: Responsible Policy and Trusted Supply Chains
This roundtable will explore how responsible AI policy and trusted digital supply chains can evolve together, so that technology serves stability, security, and inclusion rather than undermining them. It will surface the most promising areas for common ground across jurisdictions — from shared guardrails against serious harms to policies that help both advanced and emerging economies build AI systems they can genuinely trust.
15:00–16:30
Future of Fintech
This roundtable will take stock of where fintech stands today and where it is heading next — from evolving business models and regulatory approaches to the impact of AI, digital currencies, and new infrastructure. Participants will explore the most important trends, emerging opportunities, and risks for financial inclusion, stability, and innovation.
Block 3 — Program Conclusion · 16:30–17:45
From Discussion to Action — Working group mandates and the road to GTF 2027
Closing Remarks — Reflections from the Forum organizers and/or founding partners
Closing Keynote
Speaker TBD
Closing reception and networking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Transformation Forum?
The Global Transformation Forum is a new impact-driven international platform launching in Tokyo, Japan on December 1–2, 2026, that convenes policymakers, technology and business leaders, investors, and civil society to produce transformative solutions for the new global digital economy.
Why is GTF held in Japan?
Japan is uniquely positioned to host the GTF, leveraging its diplomatic credibility and strong regional relationships to ensure inclusive participation from both developed and emerging markets. Its legacy of leadership in technology and innovation, combined with trusted relationships across Asia, Europe, and the Americas make Japan an ideal place to enable progress on digital economy challenges.
Who attends GTF?
GTF brings together governments, private sector leaders, investors, academia and civil society as equal agenda-shapers around three core programmatic pillars: Governance, Trusted Tech, and International Cooperation.
How do I get involved with GTF 2026?
GTF 2026 is an invitation-only event. You can express interest in attending, speaking, or partnering with GTF in the future through the Contact section of this website. The GTF team will follow up directly.
What are the GTF working groups?
The GTF Working Groups transform two days of strategic dialogue at the Forum into a full year of coordinated action. Established from the outcomes of the closed-door roundtables at GTF 2026, each Working Group is built around a concrete action mandate agreed by senior leaders, translating discussions into sustained strategic partnerships, jointly developed frameworks, and measurable progress. The Working Groups maintain momentum between Forum editions by advancing these mandates and reporting on results and next steps at the following Forum.
What happens after GTF 2026?
GTF 2026 is the foundation of what will become an impact-driven international platform for the new global digital economy. Solutions produced under GTF 2026, including policy recommendations, partnership announcements, and working group mandates, feed directly into the GTF 2027 program. Year-round working groups maintain engagement between editions.
For media enquiries and general questions, contact GTF directly.
info@gtf.jp