The Asian Century in Motion
A Global Diplomatic Forum webinar series, October 2026 – July 2027- Members Only
Asian Century in Motion
Members Exclusive
Asian Century in Motion Members Exclusive
Exclusive Webinars For Members
The centre of gravity in energy, manufacturing, capital and technology is shifting toward Asia. But by how much, how fast, and with what consequences?
The Asian Century in Motion is a series of ten monthly webinars that takes one structural shift at a time, from energy and critical minerals to sovereign capital, development finance and payments. Each session tests the popular narrative against the data and asks practitioners from Asia, the Gulf, Africa, Europe and the Americas what it means for the decisions they face.
All webinars take place at 13:00 GMT and are available to GDF members, live and on demand.
The Webinars
1. The Asian Century by the Numbers · October 2026: Has the centre of the world economy already moved, and by which measure?
2. The Energy Arc · November 2026: As Gulf energy turns east, who carries the risk of the transition?
3. Critical Minerals · December 2026: Can anyone diversify mineral supply chains within a decade?
4. Chokepoints and Corridors · January 2027: When a strait closes, which routes can carry the load?
5. The Manufacturing Archipelago · February 2027 : Is "China plus one" diversifying Asian manufacturing or deepening it?
6. The Technology Nexus · March 2027 — How does a middle power stay open to more than one technology bloc?
7. Sovereign Capital · April 2027 — Are sovereign funds becoming the architects of infrastructure and technology investment?
8. Development Finance · May 2027 — Does a wider choice of lenders mean better terms for borrowers?
9. Money and Payments · June 2027: Is de-dollarisation a trend, a hedge or a headline?
10. Institutions and Middle Powers · July 2027: How do countries choose partners in a multipolar order?
How each webinar works
Every session opens with a short data briefing: three key numbers, and one popular claim the evidence does not support. Senior practitioners from at least two regions then discuss the issue with a GDF moderator, followed by twenty minutes of questions from members. Each session ends with the practical question: what should diplomats, investors and policymakers do differently?
Who it is for
Diplomats and civil servants, young professionals and Young Diplomats Forum alumni, and practitioners in business, finance and policy who work on or with Asia.
Global Youth Dialogue
Alongside the webinars, young leaders from the Global Diplomatic Forum network meet region to region to find where their interests converge on energy, technology, trade and the climate. Five dialogues, each pairing two regions around themes that matter to the next generation of diplomats. The first, Africa–Asia, takes place in December 2026.
Membership
The series is available to Global Diplomatic Forum members. Membership includes:
• Live access to all ten webinars and the Global Youth Dialogue, with Q&A
• Recordings and data briefs on demand
• A certificate of participation for members who follow seven or more webinars
• Member offers on GDF Academy courses