Future-Ready Hong Kong Summit 2026
Driving a Low-Carbon Ecosystem, Inspiring the Silver Generation
Hong Kong stands at a pivotal moment, facing the dual challenges of climate resilience and an ageing population. In response, Chinachem Group, City University of Hong Kong and Hang Seng Bank have joined forces in a strategic partnership to drive cross-sector solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive future. The Summit brings together leaders from government, academics — including Nobel Laureates — and industry to foster exchange and collaboration in advancing sustainable development.
A joint White Paper, “Creating a Green and Silver Economy: Policy, Finance, Technology, and the Built Environment”, was also launched to outline key research findings and strategic recommendations for the Government’s reference.
Nobel Laureates’ Keynote Addresses
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Professor Omar M. YaghiJames and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, BerkeleyProfessor Yaghi, is his sharing, underscored that science provides both “hope and concrete solutions” to global challenges, driven by breakthroughs in materials innovation. He highlighted how advanced materials — MOFs and COFs, highly porous compounds designed to trap and release molecules — are already enabling scalable solutions. These range from capturing carbon emissions at source and directly from the air, to producing clean, drinkable water from the atmosphere. Together, they are transforming science from “scarcity to abundance”, and “from fiction to reality”.He also highlighted how AI is set to change and possibly accelerate the way science is done. He envisions the creation of an “engine” that moves from molecules to society and back, from designing molecules and making materials, to building devices and commercialising them, before recovering the molecules to form a zero-discharge cycle.
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Professor Susumu KITAGAWAExecutive Vice President and Distinguished Professor, Kyoto UniversityProfessor Kitagawa outlined a forward-looking vision, calling for a shift from today’s “digging civilisation” — which extracts and consumes localised finite resources — to a new model based on ubiquity, where essential molecules are abundantly available in the air and can be sustainably harnessed.He introduced the concept of a “molecular refinery,” where even highly diluted molecules are captured, separated and converted into useful materials using advanced porous materials such as MOFs and COFs. This underpins what he described as a “dilute molecular economy,” powered by renewable energy and built on continuous circulation. Moving from localisation to ubiquity, he emphasised, is key to a sustainable future.
Industry Forum
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The first panel, “The Commercialisation Roadmap for Hong Kong’s Green-Silver Transition”, opened by highlighting a key gap: while capital is increasingly flowing into green projects, insufficient funding is directed towards initiatives that integrate both environmental and ageing (“silver”) needs. Framing the discussion from user, building and financing perspectives, panelists examined how Hong Kong can overcome fragmented ownership, retrofit challenges and misaligned incentives among stakeholders.Importantly, panelists noted that if Hong Kong can successfully pilot and standardise such integrated approaches, its model could be exported to other ageing cities in the region, extending its impact beyond the city itself.Moderator• Mr Angus Wong (Managing Director, Head of Corporate Banking of Hang Seng Bank Limited)Speakers
• Dr Cheung Tin-cheung, SBS (Chairman of Hong Kong Green Building Council)
• Ms Chaoni Huang (Head of Sustainable Finance & Transition, Asia, Corporate and Institutional Banking, HSBC)
• Professor Rebecca Choy (Founding Chair, Golden Age Foundation)
Forward-looking Forum
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The second panel, “The Way Forward for Carbon Neutrality & the Silver Economy”, brought together experts from leading international universities, who highlighted the critical role of cross disciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainability. Drawing on their institutions’ experiences, they emphasised how integrating science, engineering, policy and business enables more effective responses to complex challenges, while also underscoring the importance of education in equipping the next generation with the skills and mindset to drive long-term impact.Panelists also pointed out that partnerships are essential to bridge the gap between research and implementation, with academia contributing talent and ideas, and industry providing capital and market access.
Moderator• Professor Benjamin Horton (Dean of the School of Energy and Environment and Chair Professor of Earth Science, CityUHK)Speakers
• Professor Colm Durkan (Head of Department of Engineering and Professor of Nanoengineering Science, University of Cambridge)
• Professor Nigel Brandon (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy, Imperial College London)
• Professor Wang Peng (Chair Professor and Founding Director of the Institute of Carbon Neutrality and Green Development, Sun Yat-sen University)
Special Guest Dialogue
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In this special fireside conversation, it explored how ageing can be reimagined through more inclusive and sustainable living. Professor Wong emphasised that accessibility and social connectivity are central to this vision, calling for urban design that is climate resilient and offers protection from wind, rain, and heat, enabling people of all ages to move comfortably through the city.
He also underscored the importance of creating connected, intergenerational spaces that bring people together, alongside adaptable homes that support ageing in place. Ultimately, he stressed the need to integrate both “hardware” and “software” solutions: not only better-designed buildings and public spaces, but also stronger community engagement, culture and collaboration across government, industry, communities and youth. Together, these elements form the foundation for a city where people can truly “live well and live green.”
Speakers
• Ms Do Do Cheng (Artiste)
• Professor Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP (Former Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong SAR Government and Chairman, Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation)
Connecting Innovation, Fostering Collaboration
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The summit showcased the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem, with nine startups presenting a diverse range of solutions through exhibition booths. The innovations included biotechnology solutions that transform carbon emissions into usable resources, AI-applications that enhance monitoring efficiency, and new food technologies that promote low-carbon lifestyles.The Summit also served as a platform for industry exchange, creating collaboration opportunities for startups, corporates and investors.
