Tracks to the Future
For the pioneers shaping what’s next
A Think Train, not a Think Tank — from Europe, across Central Asia, to China.
On board
Get real insights…
In Ürümqi
Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China ·
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First impressions from Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China — the Think Train's arrival in Ürümqi during the Tracks to the Future journey.
In Khorgos
Khorgos, Kazakhstan–China border ·
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First impressions from Khorgos at the Kazakhstan–China border, shared with Tracks to the Future.
In Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan ·
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Almaty in short — a video from Almaty, Kazakhstan, shared with Tracks to the Future.
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More from Almaty — a further video with more details from Almaty, Kazakhstan, shared with Tracks to the Future.
In Bishkek
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan ·
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Bishkek in short — a video from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, shared with Tracks to the Future.
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More from Bishkek — a further video from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, shared with Tracks to the Future.
In Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan ·
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Tashkent in short — a video from Tashkent shared with Tracks to the Future.
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More from Tashkent — a further video from Tashkent shared with Tracks to the Future.
In Samarkand
Samarkand, Uzbekistan · On the journey across Central Asia towards China
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The Think Train in Samarkand, Uzbekistan — impressions of the Tracks to the Future journey on its way from Europe across Central Asia to China.
Arrival in Istanbul
Istanbul, Türkiye · The Think Train reaches Istanbul on its way from Europe to China
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The Think Train arrives in Istanbul, Türkiye — the next stop of the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe, across Central Asia, to China.
In Belgrade
Belgrade, Serbia · Panel Session at Playground (EXPO 2027) · Thanks to our friends in Serbia for having us
Wednesday 21 October 2026
Conversation with Aleksandar Vučić · President of the Republic of Serbia · Playground (EXPO 2027) — grateful for the insights and the conversation.
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Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, at the Think Train's stop in Belgrade, recorded on 21 October 2026 during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia on Instagram
Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, welcomes the Tracks to the Future delegation at Belgrade Prokop station on 21 October 2026: "Serbia wants a world that cooperates, not a world that quarrels." Jovanka Porsche, founder of Global Neighbours, speaks about openness and lasting friendship.
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Panel Session at Playground (EXPO 2027) · Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia on Instagram
Panel Session "Connecting in a Time of Division: New Partnerships for a Shared Future" at Playground, EXPO 2027 Belgrade site, on 21 October 2026. Welcome and opening remarks by Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Jovanka Porsche of Global Neighbours, and Ana Brnabić, Acting President of the Republic of Serbia and Speaker of the National Assembly. Panellists: Armen Sarkissian, former President of Armenia; Philipp Rösler, former Vice Chancellor of Germany and Secretary General of Global Neighbours; Prof. Bojan Lalić, University of Novi Sad and Director, Belt and Road Institute; Jovanka Porsche; Marko Čadež. Moderated by Siddharth Chatterjee.
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Chinese manufacturer in Serbia · Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia on Instagram
On 21 October 2026 the international Tracks to the Future delegation visited Minth, a Chinese company manufacturing in Šabac, Serbia, to see its production processes and technology solutions, from production lines to robotics, including coffee served by a robot.
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The Tracks to the Future delegation visits a robotics company in Belgrade, Serbia, on 21 October 2026 — a look at robotics and automation during the stop in Belgrade.
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Short clip from the Belgrade visit · 21 October 2026
A short conversation clip recorded during the Tracks to the Future visit to Belgrade, Serbia, on 21 October 2026.
The Vienna stop
Vienna, Austria · Invited by the Mayor of Vienna, Mr. Michael Ludwig
Tuesday 20 October 2026
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Mayor of Vienna · Former President of Austria
Mr. Michael Ludwig, Mayor of Vienna, and Heinz Fischer, former President of Austria, both speaking in Vienna on 20 October 2026, where Tracks to the Future was invited by the Mayor of Vienna, Mr. Michael Ludwig.
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City of Vienna on Instagram
The City of Vienna on Instagram: a train journey from Duisburg to Xi'an in China connects innovations, ideas and people from business, politics, art and culture. Participants in Tracks to the Future shared their visions, and the journey stopped at Vienna City Hall.
On the train
On board the Think Train · Recorded on board
18–21 October 2026
On the train
Window Seat
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Dylan Jeng in conversation on board the Think Train, recorded on 18 October 2026 during the first leg of the journey.
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Frank Sieren on board the Think Train, recorded on 18 October 2026, the day the train departed Duisburg.
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Eike Schmidt in conversation on board the Think Train, recorded on 18 October 2026 during the journey from Europe to China.
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Stephan Balkenhol in conversation on board the Think Train, recorded on 18 October 2026 during the journey from Europe to China.
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Giacomo Marino in conversation on board the Think Train, recorded on 19 October 2026.
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Dr. Philipp Rösler’s Window Talk on board the Think Train during the Tracks to the Future journey.
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Mr. Garbe in a window-seat conversation on board the Think Train during the Tracks to the Future journey.
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Walter Smerling in a window-seat conversation on board the Think Train during the Tracks to the Future journey.
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Marcus Lippold — a window-seat conversation from Tracks to the Future.
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Kay Windhorst in a window-seat conversation on board the Think Train during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
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Armen Sarkissian, former President of the Republic of Armenia, in a window-seat conversation on board the Think Train during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
On the train
Day X Impressions
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Founder and Chairwoman, Global Neighbours GmbH
Jovanka Porsche boarding the Think Train in Duisburg on 18 October 2026 — the moment the journey to China begins.
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Jean-Remy von Matt sharing his perspective on board the Think Train, recorded on 18 October 2026.
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A discussion on board the Think Train asking to which future we drive — recorded during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
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Impressions and a conversation on day 5 of the Tracks to the Future journey — recorded on board the Think Train on its way from Europe to China.
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Impressions and a conversation on day 6 of the Tracks to the Future journey — recorded on board the Think Train on its way from Europe to China.
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A second talk from day 6 of the Tracks to the Future journey — recorded on board the Think Train on its way from Europe to China.
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Day 8 talk — a conversation from the Tracks to the Future journey.
On the train
A cup of Tea with Sid
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21 October 2026
A cup of tea with Sid on board the Think Train, recorded on 21 October 2026 during Tracks to the Future.
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A second cup of tea with Sid on board the Think Train — a tea-time conversation recorded during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
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A third cup of tea with Sid on board the Think Train — a tea-time conversation recorded during the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China.
Opening Gala in Duisburg
MKM Museum Küppersmühle, Duisburg · Opening Event of the journey
Saturday 17 October 2026 · Evening
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Impressions from the Opening Gala of Tracks to the Future at the MKM Museum Küppersmühle in Duisburg on the evening of 17 October 2026.
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Painter and sculptor, former Rector of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf · Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Telekom
Markus Lüpertz, painter and sculptor, and Tim Höttges, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Telekom, in conversation in Duisburg about whether artificial intelligence can replace art — recorded during the Tracks to the Future journey.
Voices from the journey
Recorded before departure, and in Vienna on 19 October 2026
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Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Kishore Mahbubani on Asia's rise and why the Tracks to the Future journey from Europe to China matters for understanding the century ahead.
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Founder and Chairwoman, Global Neighbours GmbH
Jovanka Porsche, founder of Global Neighbours, on the idea behind Tracks to the Future — a Think Train connecting Europe, Central Asia and China.
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Former Vice Chancellor of Germany, former Minister of Economics and WEF board member
Dr. Philipp Rösler on Europe's economic future, dialogue with Asia, and why he joined the Think Train journey to China.
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Founder, World Economic Forum (WEF)
Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, on shaping what's next and the spirit of dialogue behind Tracks to the Future.
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AI expert known for leadership in research and industry
Prof. Dr. Xu Feiyu on artificial intelligence, research and industry leadership, and the future of cooperation between Europe and China.
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Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, seasoned diplomat and international affairs expert
Dr. Vladimir Norov on Central Asia's growing role, connectivity along the Silk Road, and the Think Train route across Uzbekistan to China.
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President of Global Neighbours and Former Federal Chancellor of Austria
Christian Kern, President of Global Neighbours and former Federal Chancellor of Austria, recorded in Vienna on 19 October 2026, after the Think Train departed Duisburg on 18 October.
Moving the World Forward
Discover the journey