On the afternoon of October 9, 2025, amid the convening 11th Annual Congress of the World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) with the theme of Free Zones: Gateways to Global Prosperity, Trade, and Sustainable Innovation”, China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and World FZO held an exchange meeting and the inauguration ceremony of the Global Free Zones Research Institute (GFZRI) in Haikou, Hainan.

Professor Chi Fulin, President of CIRD, extended a warm welcome to Dr. Mohammed AlZarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, and his delegation. After touring the CIRD History Museum and Library, the two sides held an exchange. Representatives from seven countries and international organizations participated in this event.

Professor Chi Fulin stated that on December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially commence its special customs operations. The Hainan Free Trade Port is a typical example of a world-class free zone and a leading representative of China’s free trade ports (zones). Against the backdrop of global geopolitical and economic changes, the establishment of the Global Free Zones Research Institute comes at the right moment. After more than a year of preparation, the joint launch of GFZRI by CIRD and the World FZO marks an important milestone for the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. In the future, the GFZRI will serve as a high-level platform for global dialogue on free trade zones, conducting research, international consultations, and promoting training, and talent exchange.

Dr. Mohammed AlZarooni, Chairman of the World FZO remarked that one of the core objectives of the GFZRI is to build a platform for knowledge, information, and research. Through the joint efforts of CIRD and the World FZO, the GFZRI will jointly advance global free zones to a new stage of development through research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

The inauguration ceremony of the GFZRI was held afterwards. Professor Chi Fulin, President of CIRD, and Dr. Mohammed AlZarooni, Chairman of the World Free Zones Organization, jointly unveiled the plaque. Mr. Wu Changyuan, Former Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Province; Mr. Zhang Bin, Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province; Ms. Tang Hua, Director-General of the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development; Mr. Wang Yunfei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hainan Province; Mr. Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance; Mr. Miao Shubin, Executive President of CIRD; Mr. Yin Zhongyi, Advisor to the President of CIRD; Ms. Yang Rui, Executive President of CIRD; Ms. Blanca Sorigué Borrell, Vice-Chairwoman, Board of Directors of the World FZO, Managing Director of the , Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, Spain; Mr. Nasser Al Madani, Board Member of the World FZO, Deputy Director-General of the Dubai Airport Free Zone; Mr. Khabib Abdullaev, Board Member of the World FZO, CEO of the Navoi Free Economic Zone, Uzbekistan; Mr. Olufemi A. Ogunyemi, Board Member of the World FZO, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Nigeria; Mr. Martín Gustavo Ibarra Pardo, Advisor to the World FZO Board, Founder President of the Association of Free Zones of the Americas (AZFA); Dr. James Zhan, Chief Advisor to the Chairman of the World FZO and Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) / Co-Chair of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ) witnessed the ceremony.  

It is learned that on November 2, 2024, during the 90th International Forum on China Reform, Professor Chi Fulin, President of CIRD, and Dr. Mohammed AlZarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the CIRD and the World FZO. On March 23, 2025, the two sides signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to jointly establish the “Global Free Zones Research Institute (GFZRI)”. With the strong support and guidance of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee , the People's Government of Hainan Province, and relevant departments, the two sides officially launched the Global Free Zones Research Institute. The Institute aims to conduct research on major issues related to free trade ports and zones, draw on global experiences in the development of free trade ports (zones), support the construction and development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (Zone), and carry out high-level research, policy discussions, training, as well as international cooperation and exchange.