WUXI, China – The 2026 Canal City Model United Nations (CCMUN) conference, also serving as the China venue for the Global Citizen Model UN, officially opened on the morning of July 24 in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. Under the theme "Meet in Wuxi, Build the Future Together," the four-day event has drawn nearly 700 student and teacher delegates from China, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia – the largest and most influential edition to date.
Held under the special support of the Chinese Consulate General in New York and guided by the UN-affiliated European United Nations (UNE), the conference is hosted by the Window of Philadelphia and co-organized by the Wuxi Education International Exchange Association and Dinuo International Education Group, with backing from the Wuxi Foreign Affairs Office and the Wuxi Education Bureau.
In opening addresses, Yu Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, Wang Weihua, member of the Charhar Institute's Diplomatic Affairs Committee, and Giulia Renzoni, UNE Operations Director, all underscored the importance of youth dialogue. Sophie Muller, UNHCR Representative in China, delivered video remarks encouraging greater youth engagement in global affairs.
Jiao Jing, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Education Bureau, noted that the CCMUN has become a vital platform for the city's international exchange since its introduction in 2023. Wang Weihua highlighted Wuxi's growing role as a bridge for China-Latin America cultural dialogue, while Renzoni quoted Confucius on harmony in diversity.
Following the opening ceremony, dozens of educators participated in a seminar on AI-driven innovation in education.
Over the next four days, delegates will deliberate on topics including global AI governance, climate change, sustainable development, and digital equity, following UN procedures. Overseas participants will also tour Wuxi's cultural and technological landmarks.
Rooted in the canal spirit of connectivity, inclusion, and coexistence, the conference offers a platform for cross-cultural understanding and showcases the global vision of today's youth.
