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. Under the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape," the forum expects over 3,600 participants from 60 countries and regions, featuring more than 100 global political and business leaders. This year's event introduces a new tagline, "Finance Empowering Business," and includes the inaugural Global Business Summit, which shifts focus from purely financial topics to the deep integration of finance with the real economy.
HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma noted that the forum has expanded from a one-day to a two-day agenda over 18 years, attracting 60,000 participants and 1,000 speakers to become Asia's flagship financial event. The Global Business Summit, co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, will explore trending topics such as artificial intelligence and technology, new consumer trends, biomedicine and healthcare, and green energy. Industry leaders will analyze how finance can unlock potential in high-value industries, driving innovation and economic growth. The summit aims to help mainland enterprises globalize and assist international firms in entering the Chinese Mainland market, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a superconnector.
The forum's agenda includes discussion panels, keynote speeches, and sessions on global economic outlook, asset management, trade finance, and financial technology. Maggie Ng, Chairperson of the AFF Steering Committee and HSBC Hong Kong's CEO, emphasized Hong Kong's unique position in strengthening international connections amid global economic shifts. Participants will engage with leaders from technology, consumer, healthcare, and finance sectors, exploring Hong Kong's advancements in key areas. The event also features AFF Deal-making, a global investment-matching platform co-organised with the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA), which has arranged over 10,000 meetings for 8,000 companies. This year, it will adopt a hybrid model, with in-person sessions during the forum and online networking until January 29.
Four exhibition zones will showcase innovations, including the FintechHK Start-up Salon, a new FutureGreen Showcase, Global Investment Zone, and InnoVenture Salon. Over 140 exhibitors, such as Bank of China (Hong Kong), CICC, EY, HSBC, Huatai International, and Standard Chartered Bank, will present green finance solutions and technology applications. The FutureGreen Showcase highlights opportunities in green development, promoting cross-sector exchange and collaborative innovation. More details, including the speaker list, are available on the Asian Financial Forum website, with the meeting agenda at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/programme and speaker information at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/speakers.
For business and technology leaders, the forum's emphasis on finance-real economy integration signals a strategic shift toward practical, industry-driven growth. By focusing on sectors like AI and green energy, it addresses global trends that impact investment and innovation. Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre is reinforced through initiatives like AFF Deal-making, which facilitates tangible collaborations. The hybrid model and diverse participation underscore the event's relevance in navigating geopolitical and macroeconomic changes, offering insights into emerging opportunities in Asia and beyond.
