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. As the region's first major international financial event of the year, the forum adopts the new tagline "Finance Empowering Business" and the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape." It expects over 3,600 participants from more than 60 countries and regions, with over 140 financial officials, business leaders, and experts serving as guest speakers.
The forum's importance lies in its timing and focus on navigating complex global economic shifts. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government, stated that Hong Kong, as a globally trusted international financial centre, is committed to bridging the world and the Chinese Mainland. The gathering aims to leverage global vision and experience to optimise industrial and financial supply chain positioning for win-win outcomes. A key development this year is a dedicated focus on gold market development, including a discussion session, a memorandum of understanding signing, and moves to drive the construction of an international gold trading centre in Hong Kong, showcasing the city's advantages in this sector.
A significant new component is the inaugural Global Business Summit, launching on the second day. This summit focuses on the integration of finance and the real economy, aligning with China's 15th Five-Year Plan recommendations to strengthen the real economy, assist mainland enterprises in going global, and attract international companies. Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, noted that the summit aims to foster deep integration between the financial sector and high-value industries, transforming capital into economic growth and industrial upgrading. It will feature leaders from sectors like artificial intelligence, new consumer trends, biomedicine, and green energy.
The forum's agenda includes two plenary sessions on the first day. The first, hosted by Christopher Hui, will feature financial officials and leaders like Zou Jiayi of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Scott Morris of the Asian Development Bank to analyse the macroeconomic landscape. The second, hosted by Julia Leung of the Securities and Futures Commission, will include regulators and central bank officials such as Rhee Chang-yong of the Bank of Korea and Gokul Laroia of Morgan Stanley to discuss monetary policies and regulatory directions. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Dr. Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, and Paul Polman, an advocate for corporate sustainability.
Other sessions will cover the Global Economic Outlook, Asset & Wealth Management, Fintech, and a dedicated discussion on the Gold Exchange, featuring experts like David Tait, Chief Executive Officer of the World Gold Council. The forum will also feature exhibition areas including a new FutureGreen showcase focusing on green finance and technology, and the AFF Deal-making programme to facilitate investment opportunities. The event kicks off International Financial Week 2026, offering partner activities and exclusive experiences for attendees. Further details on the programme and speakers are available at https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/programme and https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/speakers.
