- A distinguished line-up of speakers attended the opening session on the first day, including Zhou Ji, Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China; Dr Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People's Bank of China; and Liu Zhenmin, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the People's Republic of China

- Prof Justin Lin Yifu, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank (2008-2012), spoke at today’s Keynote Luncheon, dissecting how to achieve stable growth and drive rapid economic development amid a complex international environment

- The AFF brings together over 130 officials, multilateral organisation and business leaders from Mainland China, ASEAN, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States to examine global dynamics and financial policies, foster global collaboration, and explore new drivers for future growth

- The luncheon on the second day will feature a keynote speech by Prof Stuart Russell, Co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on AI, who will share insights on how AI could become a new engine for global economic growth

The 18th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) 2025, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Themed “Powering the Next Growth Engine”, the two-day forum has attracted over 130 global business leaders, policymakers, financial and wealth management experts, entrepreneurs, tech giants and economists as speakers. About 3,600 financial and business elites from over 50 countries and regions are expected to gather and explore how to ignite new engines for growth in 2025 and navigate the challenges ahead.

The forum kicked off with opening remarks by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, followed by addresses from Zhou Ji, Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China; Dr Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People's Bank of China; and Liu Zhenmin, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the People's Republic of China.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Dr Peter KN Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, who said: “Future growth will be different to that of the past, as traditional growth models face resource constraints and environmental pressures. Innovations, such as AI, renewable energy, fintech developments and healthcare discoveries, have the potential to power economic growth and enrich human development for decades to come. It is timely that the theme of this year’s Asian Financial Forum, ‘Powering the Next Growth Engine’, addresses these very questions from the perspective of finance and its impacts on broader business communities. The forum will discuss how the finance industry and corporates can support the next generation of innovative businesses and industries to help them unleash their potential and drive global growth in the years ahead.”

The two-day forum presents over 40 sessions ranging from Plenary Sessions, Policy Dialogue, Keynote Luncheons and Breakfast Panel, Fireside Chats, and thematic workshops.

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