IBLAC: Three decades of global wisdom shaping Shanghai's future

SHANGHAI, Oct. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn

The 37th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai is set to be held in Shanghai on Oct 12.

Shanghai Port became the first in the world to surpass 50 million twenty-equivalent units in annual container throughput in 2024, solidifying its position as the world's busiest container port for the 15th consecutive year.

Nearly half of this volume was handled at the Yangshan Deep-Water Port, the world's largest automated container terminal.

Few, however, know that the origins of this modern port can be traced back more than 30 years to a meeting of foreign business leaders at the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai.

Established in 1989, the council was founded with a clear mission: to provide Shanghai's leadership with international perspectives and advice to drive economic development and deepen the city's integration with the global economy.

Its inaugural meeting brought together 12 prominent members from eight countries.

At the third meeting in 1991, Huub Crijns, then chairman of the board of Dutch company Pakhoed, raised a critical concern. He said that the shallow waters of Shanghai Port would restrict access for the new generation of container ships and bulk carriers.

His insight helped inspire the development of the Yangshan Deep-Water Port, which today stands as the cornerstone of Shanghai's status as a global shipping hub.

The evolution of IBLAC

The Yangshan Deep-Water Port is a prime example of IBLAC's tangible impact on the development of Shanghai.

Since its inauguration, IBLAC has grown from 12 members from eight countries to 46 members from 15 countries, along with 11 honorary members. Forty members have confirmed their participation in this year's meeting.

Among the current 46 members, 24 are Fortune Global 500 companies and seven are listed on the Forbes Global 2000. These companies have a combined market value exceeding $3.5 trillion and contribute more than 35 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) in annual tax revenue in Shanghai. 

The members come from both developed economies such as the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and emerging markets including Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea. 

Over the years, the industry representation has expanded beyond manufacturing and mining to include semiconductors, biomedicine, energy conservation, and environmental protection. 

This evolution mirrors Shanghai's development transformation over the past three decades, from a traditional industrial and commercial hub into an international center for economy, finance, trade, shipping, and science and technology innovation.

The themes of the meetings, which provide a lens through which to view Shanghai's evolving priorities and strategic shifts, have also changed over the years.

In the 1990s, when the city was still primarily an industrial and commercial base, discussions focused on how to increase the added value of manufacturing, remove barriers to foreign investment, and revitalize State-owned enterprises.

With the turn of the century and Shanghai's deeper engagement with the world, the agenda shifted toward strengthening innovation, building an environmentally sustainable city, and accelerating the modern service industry.

Since the 2010s, themes have reflected the city's growing ambition to enhance soft power, develop a resilient, low-carbon city, and establish an international science and technology innovation center.

Beyond its specific proposals, IBLAC's lasting legacy may well be the culture of candid dialogue it has fostered. Members particularly value the afternoon closed-door sessions introduced in 2009. This format allows for more frank and direct conversations with the mayors following the general meeting.

This open exchange has built trust and confidence among the international business community.

As Severin Schwan, chairman of the board of directors of Roche Group and current chairman of the IBLAC, said: "We all share both commitment to Shanghai and China and a strong belief in the city's future and potential."

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SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn