World Skills Conference Kicks Off in Shanghai, China, with 1,900 Participants

Beijing, Sept. 23 (KUNA) -- The WorldSkills 2026 Conference opened on Wednesday in Shanghai, southern China, with the participation of approximately 1,900 policymakers, representatives from various sectors, and education professionals from around the world. The conference, held under the slogan "Skills Light the Path to the Future," will continue until next Friday.

China's Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Francis Huran, President of WorldSkills International, attended the opening ceremony held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.

Quoting Li Qiang in his address to the conference, the agency stated that investing in skills is an investment in the future, and empowering workers is empowering development. He emphasized the importance of developing vocational education and training systems that enable workers to continuously enhance their skills throughout their careers and contribute to improving their quality of life.

The conference is being held within the framework of the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which launched on Tuesday and will run until next Sunday. The competition features 1,385 competitors from 68 countries and regions, competing in 64 events across six sectors: transport and logistics; construction and manufacturing; engineering; information and communications technology; creative arts and fashion; and social and personal services. The event coincides with the WorldSkills Exhibition.

Described as the "Olympics of skills," the WorldSkills Competition is one of the most prominent international events in the field of vocational skills and is held every two years. The previous edition was hosted by Lyon, France, in 2024.

The competitor with the highest score in the competition receives the Albert Vica Grand Prize, named after the founder of the WorldSkills organization, which is considered one of the highest honors in the competition.

(END) S.L.Q. / H.M.F.