HKU Business School (the "School") announced today that the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, established by the School and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, successfully organised the "2026 Sustainability Forum: Global Leadership Dialogue" on 22 October 2026, followed by a Hong Kong Strategic Development Tour on 23 October 2026. The event took place at a critical juncture for global decarbonisation and economic resilience, as Hong Kong launched its first Five-Year Plan aligned with China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and the city deepened regional cooperation within Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This two-day event combined high-level discussions with on-the-ground exploration, providing global leaders with insights into practical decarbonisation strategies, regional alliances, and transition finance, while showcasing Hong Kong's sustainability landscape and urban development vision first-hand.
The forum brought together nearly 400 distinguished leaders and experts from industry, academia, and government. Its live stream attracted more than 30,000 viewers worldwide, further strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international green hub and cross-regional connector. Prominent speakers invited to give speeches (in speaking order) included Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (HKU); Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Hong Kong Executive Council and Chairperson of the New People's Party; Dr Henry Hin Lee CHAN, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School and Director of the Institute of China Economy; Mr Yves LETERME, former Prime Minister of Belgium; and Mr Eduardo PEDROSA, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. They each addressed topics such as Hong Kong's green transition, regional cooperation within the APEC, and the collaboration between academia and industry for innovation.
The Hong Kong Strategic Development Tour held on 23 October, co-organised with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), brought together visiting APEC delegates and international scholars. Supported by CLP Power Hong Kong Limited ("CLP Power") and Jao Tsung-I Academy ("JTIA"), the visit highlighted CLP Power's contribution to Hong Kong's low-carbon transition and smart city development, JTIA's cultural heritage revitalisation projects, and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area under the Northern Metropolis plan. Participants from the U.S., Korea, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the Chinese mainland engaged in in-depth exchanges with local leaders on energy transition, cultural sustainability, and Hong Kong's strategic growth plan.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, emphasised the unique role of universities in driving the global green transition. He stated: "'Sustainability' is a powerful, aspirational and broad concept. Universities play a unique role in bringing empirical evidence and diverse professions to policy-makers and practitioners. HKU, having the best scholars across both the science and humanities disciplines, is committed to bringing cross-disciplinary expertise at all depths." He highlighted that the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute is translating cutting-edge research into tangible actions, advising policy frameworks, developing enterprise sustainability indices, and empowering community ecosystems.
Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of the Non-official Members of Hong Kong's Executive Council and Chairperson of the New People's Party, delivered a clear message in her opening remarks: "Impact investing should go beyond financial performance assessment. It should channel capital into livelihood and green sectors, such as healthcare and clean energy, so as to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth that balances social value and financial return."
Dr Henry Hin Lee CHAN, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, referring to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust: "Sustainability has become an increasingly important lens through which the Trust strives to improve liveability and long-term well-being in Hong Kong, as one of its nine impact programme areas. At today's forum, we will learn about turning knowledge into action by deepening cross-sector partnerships, nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders and developing practical solutions that deliver lasting benefits for society."
Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School and Director of the Institute of China Economy, said, "Sustainability is about securing the future of the next generation. Amid mounting global uncertainties, our commitment must only grow stronger. No single institution or sector can achieve this alone. That is why HKU Business School is committed to fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, harnessing cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary education to empower future leaders and turn global challenges into opportunities for sustainable development."
Addressing the future of economic integration amid fragmentation and changing industrial policies, Mr Yves LETERME, former Prime Minister of Belgium; former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD; and former Secretary-General of International IDEA, called for a more resilient form of globalisation rather than abandoning international trade. "We have to rethink globalisation," he said, stressing that "international trade, free trade is still the essence, the driving engine of progress." He argued for renewing existing multilateral institutions and strengthening regional cooperation, while building the trust and resilience needed to navigate uncertainty. As he put it, "it's about trust, it's about resilience, it's about partnership."
Speaking at the afternoon session, Mr Eduardo PEDROSA, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, emphasised that cooperation on sustainability must translate into practical, inclusive outcomes across the Asia-Pacific. "To get there, we need growth that is strong, inclusive and sustainable," he said. Sustainability, he added, "is about the lives of our people" and "shapes the opportunities open for our businesses." Discussing regional supply-chain resilience, green finance and digital development, he pointed to Hong Kong's links between the Greater Bay Area and the wider world, and its ability to connect capital, technology and talent.
Regarding Hong Kong's unique standing as a global connector and its strategic positioning within the Greater Bay Area, Mr Arnold LAU, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, InvestHK, said: "Hong Kong's unique standing as a global connector is anchored in its institutional strengths, free flow of capital, world-class talent, and its strategic positioning within the Greater Bay Area. At InvestHK, we see firsthand how international enterprises and investors regard Hong Kong not simply as a gateway to the Chinese mainland market, but as a dynamic hub for sustainable innovation, green finance, and high-value growth. By leveraging our deep regional integration and unparalleled competitive advantages, businesses here are uniquely positioned to capture future opportunities. As we look ahead, InvestHK is fully committed to empowering global enterprises to establish and expand their footprint in our city, turning our connectivity into lasting economic value and driving sustainable growth across the region."
The forum concluded successfully after a series of fruitful exchanges, reaffirming Hong Kong's position as a leading global sustainability hub. Looking ahead, as Hong Kong advances its first Five-Year Plan for low-carbon growth and APEC economies deepen regional collaboration, the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute remains committed to delivering rigorous research, cultivating green talent, and translating academic insights into actionable leadership, working together to shape a sustainable and resilient future.
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