Hong Kong hosted the third edition of the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit on 5 October 2026 at the Conrad Hong Kong, bringing together more than 600 young professionals, government officials, and business leaders. Organised by Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, the event coincided with the release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030) and the latest Policy Address, which together set a blueprint for the city's future.
The Summit, conducted entirely in English, focused on artificial intelligence, geopolitics, education, capital markets, life and health technology, and start-up financing. It aimed to connect young professionals with international resources, enabling direct engagement with industry leaders. Across three editions, the Summit has attracted thousands of in-person participants and about 17,000 online participants from over 30 countries and regions, with social media reach exceeding 50 million.
This year's Summit was the largest yet, with participants from over 60 countries and regions joining online. More than 30 distinguished speakers and moderators were invited, including officials from the Hong Kong SAR Government and representatives from Huawei, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Bullish, and Endowus. Consular representatives from up to 20 countries also attended.
In a pre-recorded video speech, Chief Executive Mr John Lee encouraged young professionals to seize opportunities, stating, "For our young people, I firmly believe that your opportunities ahead outweigh the difficulties. The HKSAR Government will join hands with all sectors to build platforms for you to thrive in Hong Kong, in our country, and in the global arena."
Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice, delivered an opening keynote emphasising the fast-paced era's career horizons and the government's efforts to accelerate Greater Bay Area integration.
A highlight was the start-up pitching session, where 11 venture funds managing an estimated US$10 billion convened to meet Hong Kong start-ups. These funds have invested in more than 600 start-ups across over 30 economies and backed at least nine unicorns, including Airwallex, Animoca Brands, Prenetics, and GoGoX. Start-ups such as CELLmeric, Entoptica, PointFit, and Syngular pitched their ideas. Mr LU Chin Yung of Invest Hong Kong noted Hong Kong's safe environment, efficiency, and clean government as key advantages for founders.
Dr Kevin Lau, Founding Convenor of Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, said, "This is more than a high-level forum. It marks a milestone in the maturing of our network of young professionals. This afternoon, venture funds managing an estimated US$10 billion in assets gathered in the room — and what they are looking at is Hong Kong's next generation."
Panel discussions covered AI adoption, with speakers addressing both opportunities and risks such as fraud. Geopolitics sessions highlighted Hong Kong's role as a super-connector. Education panels explored Hong Kong as Asia's education hub, while capital markets discussions focused on AI listings and asset tokenisation. Life and health technology panels examined AI's role in healthcare, with a consensus that technology cannot replace human care.
The Summit underscored Hong Kong's strategic importance in the new economy, providing a platform for young talent to engage with global leaders. As the city implements its five-year plan, such initiatives are crucial for driving innovation and economic growth. For more information, visit https://hkypga.com/. Selected photos and videos can be downloaded at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XowvT4PLTkLo-Vx6k8UJ_YyuM0O0wSlQ?usp=sharing.
