Asian Financial Forum 2026 Launches Global Business Summit to Integrate Finance with Real Economy

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), co-organised by the Hong Kong SAR government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held on January 26-27, 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape," the forum brings together over a hundred global business and political leaders and financial experts to analyse geopolitical shifts and macroeconomic trends. This year's AFF introduces the tagline "Finance Empowering Business" and features the inaugural Global Business Summit, which expands the conversation beyond financial topics to the deep integration of finance and the real economy.

HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma noted that the forum has grown from a one-day agenda to two days, attracting over 60,000 participants and 1,000 speakers since its inception. The new Global Business Summit aims to unlock the potential of high-value industries and drive innovation for stronger economic growth. Maggie Ng, Chairperson of the Asian Financial Forum Steering Committee and HSBC Hong Kong's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted that over 3,600 participants from 60 countries are expected, engaging with leaders from technology, consumer, healthcare, and finance sectors to explore Hong Kong's advancements.

The two-day agenda includes discussion panels, keynote speeches, and sessions on global economic outlook, asset management, trade finance, and more. The Global Business Summit, co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, will focus on trending topics such as artificial intelligence, new consumer trends, biomedicine, and green energy. It will explore opportunities for mainland enterprises to go global and help international enterprises establish operations in the Chinese Mainland market, leveraging Hong Kong's international advantages to promote cross-border cooperation.

AFF Deal-making, co-organised with the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA), serves as a global investment-matching platform that has engaged over 8,000 companies and arranged more than 10,000 meetings. This year, it will adopt a hybrid model with in-person sessions during the forum followed by online networking until January 29. The forum also features four exhibition zones, including the FintechHK Start-up Salon, a new FutureGreen Showcase, Global Investment Zone, and InnoVenture Salon, with over 140 exhibitors showcasing innovative business concepts and green finance solutions.

The forum reinforces Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre and superconnector, fostering collaboration among financial experts to navigate change and create win-win scenarios. More details about the Asian Financial Forum, including the speaker list and media registration, will be announced at a press conference on January 19. For further information, visit the Asian Financial Forum page or check the meeting agenda and speaker list online.