Asian Financial Forum 2026 to Focus on Finance Empowering Business Amid Global Economic Shifts

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), co-organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will take place on January 26-27, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the new tagline "Finance Empowering Business" and the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape," the forum expects over 3,600 participants from more than 60 countries and regions, featuring over 140 guest speakers. This event, the region's first major international financial gathering of the year, aims to foster collaboration to navigate change and create win-win scenarios. A key development is the launch of the inaugural Global Business Summit on the second day, focusing on the integration of finance and the real economy, aligning with recommendations from the country's 15th Five-Year Plan to strengthen the real economy and promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub.

Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government, emphasized Hong Kong's commitment to bridging the world and the Chinese Mainland amidst global complexities. He highlighted that the forum will leverage global leaders' vision to optimize industrial and financial supply chains. Specific initiatives include a dedicated discussion session on gold market development, the signing of a memorandum of understanding, and moves to drive the construction of an international gold trading centre in Hong Kong, showcasing its advantages in this area. The Global Business Summit, coupled with AFF's deal-making, will exemplify how financial services empower the real economy and support the nation's high-quality development. Maggie Ng, Asian Financial Forum Steering Committee Chairperson and HSBC Hong Kong CEO, noted that the gathering underscores Hong Kong's pivotal role as a leading international financial centre, supporting mainland firms going global and offering wealth management expertise.

The forum will feature a series of compelling sessions, including the Global Business Summit, keynote speeches, policy dialogues, and thematic workshops. Topics will cover Global Economic Outlook, CIO Insights, Asset & Wealth Management, Trade Finance and Supply Chain, Family Office Ecosystem, Fintech, Pension and Endowment, and Gold Exchange. On the first day, two plenary sessions will be held. The first, hosted by Christopher Hui, will include speakers such as Zou Jiayi, President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Scott Morris, Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank, analyzing the macroeconomic landscape. The second session, hosted by Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer of Securities and Futures Commission, will feature representatives like Burkhard Balz of Deutsche Bundesbank and Rhee Chang-yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea, sharing insights on monetary policies and regulatory directions. Keynote luncheons will feature Dr Jose Manuel Barroso on Day 1 and Paul Polman on Day 2, discussing global challenges and sustainable development strategies.

The Global Economic Outlook session will bring together leaders such as Sir Douglas Flint of Aberdeen Group plc and Kevin Sneader of Goldman Sachs in Asia Pacific to provide forecasts for 2026. Panel discussions on Asset and Wealth Management and CIO Insights will include experts like Fannie Wurtz of Amundi and Deborah Cunningham of Federated Hermes, exploring market trends and investment opportunities. With rising demand for gold as a safe-haven asset, a Global Spectrum session on Gold Exchange will feature insights from James Emmett of MKS PAMP SA and David Tait of World Gold Council, interpreting international gold trading developments and strategies to reinforce Hong Kong's role as a global hub. This aligns with the Policy Address proposal to accelerate the establishment of an international gold trading market, focusing on growth in trading, clearing, and derivative services.

The inaugural Global Business Summit on January 27 will explore industry prospects in sectors like artificial intelligence, new consumer trends, biomedicine, and green energy. It will address opportunities for Chinese Mainland enterprises to go global and for international firms to enter the mainland market. Sessions include "Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global" with speakers like Daniel Li of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and "Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth" moderated by Lincoln Pan of Jardine Matheson, featuring participants such as Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi of Investcorp. Technological advancements will be discussed in sessions on artificial intelligence and biomedicine, with speakers including Dowson Tong of Tencent and Paul Burton of Amgen, providing the financial sector with opportunities to offer tailored services. The forum will also feature exhibition areas like the new FutureGreen showcase, focusing on green finance and technology, and the AFF Deal-making programme to facilitate collaboration. The International Financial Week 2026 will kick off with AFF, offering partner activities and exclusive experiences for participants. More information can be found on the official website at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en and the programme details at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/programme.