Eco Expo Asia 2026 Opens with Record International Participation and Focus on Green Tech Commercialisation

The 21st Eco Expo Asia 2026 opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo, bringing together more than 340 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions under the theme 'Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future'. Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the four-day event signals Hong Kong's ambition to position itself as a regional green technology and trade hub.

The significance of this year's expo lies in its expanded international footprint and alignment with new policy directions. Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are participating for the first time, reflecting growing interest from Southeast Asia in green solutions. HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong noted that Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the latest Policy Address both call for building a green and liveable city, and the expo serves as a platform to connect governments, businesses and investors.

A key development is the debut of the ASEAN Pavilion, which brings together seven ASEAN countries and 12 green technology ventures specialising in water treatment, circular economy, green finance and ESG services. The number of pavilions has risen to 18, including returning overseas pavilions from Canada, Italy, Korea and the Netherlands. Qinghai Province is participating for the first time, alongside nine Greater Bay Area cities and Macau, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai and Nanjing.

The expo also underscores Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between mainland China and international markets. The HKTDC has set up a GoGlobal Connect Zone for the first time to help mainland environmental enterprises reach global markets through Hong Kong's professional services. A seminar on 27 October will explore how Hong Kong can integrate green finance, cross-border infrastructure expertise and certification standards to accelerate the expansion of mainland green enterprises into ASEAN.

Technological innovation is a central theme, with four thematic areas aligning with decarbonisation policies: 'Green Energy in Motion', 'Frontier Green Tech', 'Building for a Greener City' and 'From Waste to Worth'. Highlights include the debut of EcoCeres Limited, the world's second-largest sustainable aviation fuel producer, and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Pavilion showcasing the slimmest wall-mounted DC Fast EV charger currently on the market. About 30 start-ups and university spin-offs will present frontier technologies, including high-strength bacterial cellulose films upcycled from tea waste and an AIoT-based fleet management system.

The event also features more than 30 forums and thematic sessions with over 80 government officials and industry leaders from the mainland, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and other Belt and Road countries. The flagship Eco Asia Conference will cover policy, technology, green finance and industry applications. The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference is being held concurrently for the first time, organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

For industry professionals, the expo offers a platform to explore business opportunities and partnerships. The full programme and exhibitor list are available on the Eco Expo Asia website, and travel information to AsiaWorld-Expo can be found here. The HKTDC also provides research reports and organises international exhibitions and conferences to support green business development. Messe Frankfurt, the co-organiser, emphasises sustainability as a central pillar of its corporate strategy, as detailed on its sustainability page.

The final day, 29 October, will be Public Day with free admission, featuring interactive workshops and talks on climate change and green careers, aimed at deepening public understanding of sustainability and encouraging green lifestyles.