The Annual Meeting of the New Champions, the "Summer Davos," Asia's foremost global business gathering will take place in Tianjin on 13-15 September. Making the announcement on September 7, the World Economic Forum issued details of the key participants and event program.

Introduced in 2007, the Meeting is hosted in partnership with the Chinese Government represented by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Over 1,300 participants from 85 countries will take part.

The Annual Meeting of the New Champions provides a platform for the rising generation of global leaders from business and society to contribute to broader policy discussions and engage with the world's top business executives. The New Champions are led by the Forum's growing Community of Global Growth Companies as well as the Communities of Technology Pioneers, Young Global Leaders and Young Scientists.

This year's Meeting is designed to prepare leaders from business and government for this new growth concept under the theme "Driving Growth through Sustainability," which will be explored in the program under four main pillars: Improving Competitiveness through Science and Technology; Creating New Value from Business Models and for Future Markets; Facilitating Economic and Social Change; and Designing Effective Global, Industry and Regional Solutions.

"The Annual Meeting of the New Champions will highlight how the sustainability imperative is transforming companies and reshaping industries," said Jeremy Jurgens, senior Director at the World Economic Forum and head of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions and Community of Global Growth Companies. "The Global Growth Companies at this year's Summer Davos are at the forefront of demonstrating how entrepreneurship, innovation and technology can create new growth opportunities."

Ren Xuefeng, Vice-Mayor of Tianjin Municipality in China, said, "The Tianjin Government and its citizens are proud of supporting the Annual Meeting of the New Champions with world-class facilities and services. We wish to provide the best environment possible for all the participants to feel welcome and engage productively in this important global gathering."

"The fourth Summer Davos will be held at a crucial time of global economic recovery. Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the opening plenary and deliver an important speech. At this event, China will present the achievements of the Chinese Government in coping with sustainable development. On this global platform, China will also demonstrate its positive attitude, willingness to contribute to the stability of the global economy, and China's grand goal for peaceful, harmonious and collaborative development in the world." said Li Bin, Deputy Director-General of Department of Foreign Affairs under National Development and Reform Commission.

A select group of business leaders from the World Economic Forum's Member companies who have extensive international experience in building global businesses will act as mentors at the Meeting. These include Hari S. Bhartia, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Jubilant Bhartia Group, India; President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); and Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman of the Board, Nestlé, Switzerland.