19th Asian Financial Forum Opens with Focus on Global Economic Cooperation and Hong Kong's Financial Hub Role

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), co-organized by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), commenced with the theme "Co-creating New Horizons amid an Evolving Landscape" and a new tagline "Finance Empowering Business." The forum features more than 150 speakers, including government officials, business leaders, and financial executives from over 60 countries, with expected attendance exceeding 3,600 participants. This strong global participation underscores Hong Kong's unique role as an international financial center and its advantage in connecting the Chinese Mainland with international markets. A special discussion session on gold trading aims to promote Hong Kong's development into an international gold exchange and build a gold market ecosystem with the Chinese Mainland, adding new value to the global precious metals market.

HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma emphasized the forum's role as a platform demonstrating Hong Kong's functions as a superconnector, super value-adder, and supercollaborator. He noted the introduction of the Global Business Summit, scheduled for the following day, to evaluate the impact of high-growth industries like AI, robotics, biopharma, and new energy. The two-day forum includes over 40 sessions, such as Plenary Sessions, Panel Discussions, and thematic sessions covering topics like Global Economic Outlook, CIO Insights, and Asset and Wealth Management. New sessions include Supply Chain Financing and Gold Exchange, with detailed program information available at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/programme.

Plenary Session I, titled "Fostering Cooperation for Shared Success" and hosted by Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government, gathered finance officials and multilateral organization leaders to discuss global economic outlook, financial stability, and sustainable development. Speakers included Zou Jiayi of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Scott Morris of the Asian Development Bank. Plenary Session II, "Charting the Future of Finance in Times of Uncertainty," focused on risks and opportunities for central banks and financial institutions, moderated by Julia Leung of the Securities and Futures Commission, with speakers from the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Germany, and Morgan Stanley addressing Hong Kong's global positioning and cross-border regulatory cooperation.

The first day's keynote luncheon featured Dr Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, who analyzed macroeconomic risks and strategies for economic coordination. The afternoon session on Global Economic Outlook, moderated by Prof Edward Chen, included forecasts for 2026 and business strategies amid uncertainty. In alignment with Hong Kong's policy to build an international gold trading market, the new Global Spectrum - Gold Exchange session analyzed international gold trading landscapes and strategies to enhance Hong Kong's role in Asia, featuring speakers from MKS PAMP SA and the World Gold Council.

The Panel Discussion on Asset and Wealth Management explored how artificial intelligence can improve decision-making and integrate ESG factors into investments. CIO Insights provided analysis of asset allocation trends and interest rate movements by chief investment officers from Asia, Europe, and the United States. The Global Spectrum - Pension and Endowment session discussed transformation of retirement and philanthropic funds in a changing global economy. A survey by HKTDC and EY, released at the forum, examined how corporates and financial leaders are responding to disruptive challenges, with EY China Chairman Jack Chan highlighting Hong Kong's evolution from a super-connector to a proactive growth orchestrator.

AFF Deal-making offers a one-on-one matching platform for over 280 investors and 560 projects, focusing on sectors like Environment, Energy and Clean Technology, Healthcare Technology, and Financial Technology. The forum features four exhibition zones, including the InnoVenture Salon, FintechHK Start-up Salon, Global Investment Zone, and a new FutureGreen Showcase, with about 150 exhibitors. The FutureGreen Showcase debuts to promote green finance and technology, strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international green finance center. The inaugural Global Business Summit, co-organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, will explore finance and real economy integration in high-growth sectors.

International participants can join guided tours to sites like Cyberport and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with partnerships including the Hong Kong Tourism Board offering travel and cultural promotions. The forum kicks off International Financial Week 2026, Hong Kong's first major financial event of the year. For more details on the forum and speakers, visit https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en and https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/speakers.