The theme of this year's conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) - Shared Future, Concerted Action, Common Development "is most appropriate and timely," an Australian businesswoman has said.

Elizabeth Gaines, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fortescue Metals Group, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"The theme will bring a real focus to how we work together as individuals, companies, governments, countries and regions," she noted.

"We believe we can address economic, environmental and cultural challenges through a shared, multifaceted approach to engagement, to deliver benefits and a win-win result for us all."

On the China-proprosed Belt and Road Initiative, she said the initiative "represents an unprecedented investment in infrastructure, led by China and extended to include many emerging economies."

This year's annual BFA conference will focus on the open economy, multilateral cooperation and innovation, according to BFA Secretary General Li Baodong.

The conference, scheduled from March 26 to 29 in Boao, a coastal town in China's southern island province of Hainan, will feature about 50 official sessions which are categorized into five modules including open world economy and innovation-driven development, he told a new conference on Jan. 16.