The 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo and the 2026 Dunhuang Forum will welcome over 360 overseas guests from 52 countries and three international organizations — the World Intellectual Property Organization, UNESCO and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The expo will host an exhibition on people-to-people exchange among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and an international art performance, with art groups from the United States, Portugal, and other countries participating to promote people-to-people bonds through cultural exchange.

To promote youth exchanges between sister cities, Gansu province will invite 20 university teachers and students from Oklahoma, the US, to visit the province and strengthen ties of friendship.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the unified China-Europe Railway Express brand in 2026, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the European think tank Global Neighbours will hold a roundtable on practicing the Global Civilization Initiative and promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

Four international sub-forums of the Dunhuang Forum will focus on Dunhuang studies and the presentation of research findings, knowledge sharing on cultural heritage protection and tourism development, cooperation between China and Central and South Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative, and Dunhuang medical research and innovation. Together they aim to support the development of a model for world cultural heritage protection and a leading center for Dunhuang studies.