Asian Financial Forum 2026 Launches with Focus on Finance-Real Economy Integration

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. With the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape" and a new tagline "Finance Empowering Business," the forum gathers over 100 global business and political leaders to analyze geopolitical shifts, macroeconomic trends, and financial market developments. This event highlights Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre and aims to foster collaboration that creates win-win scenarios for stakeholders worldwide.

A key innovation this year is the inaugural Global Business Summit, which shifts focus from purely financial topics to the deep integration of finance and the real economy. HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma noted that this expansion aims to unlock the potential of high-value industries and drive innovation for stronger economic growth. The summit will explore trending topics including artificial intelligence and technology, new consumer trends, biomedicine and healthcare, and green energy. It will also examine opportunities for mainland enterprises to expand globally and for international enterprises to establish operations in the Chinese Mainland market, leveraging Hong Kong's role as what Ma calls a "superconnector and super value-adder."

The forum expects over 3,600 participants from 60 countries and regions, according to Maggie Ng, Chairperson of the Asian Financial Forum Steering Committee and HSBC Hong Kong's Chief Executive Officer. Delegates will engage with industry leaders driving transformation across technology, consumer, healthcare, and finance sectors while exploring Hong Kong's latest advancements. The two-day agenda features discussion panels, keynote speeches, and thematic sessions on topics including Global Economic Outlook, CIO Insights, Asset & Wealth Management, Trade Finance and Supply Chain Management, and Gold Exchange. These sessions will evaluate the new economic landscape, discussing macroeconomic trends, investment outlook, retirement funds, and financial technology.

Another significant component is AFF Deal-making, a global investment-matching platform co-organised with the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA). This initiative has connected over 8,000 companies and arranged more than 10,000 meetings since its introduction. This year's format will be hybrid, with in-person sessions during the forum followed by two additional days of online networking through January 29, enabling continued global connections between investors and project owners. The platform drives tangible cooperation by connecting project owners, private equity firms, investors, high-net-worth individuals, and professional service providers.

The forum will also feature four exhibition zones: the FintechHK Start-up Salon, a new FutureGreen Showcase, Global Investment Zone, and InnoVenture Salon. These zones will host over 140 exhibitors, including knowledge partners such as Bank of China (Hong Kong), CICC, EY, HSBC, Huatai International, and Standard Chartered Bank. Exhibitors will showcase innovative business concepts, green finance solutions, and technology applications, promoting cross-sector exchange and collaborative innovation. The FutureGreen Showcase specifically focuses on seizing opportunities for green development, reflecting growing emphasis on sustainable finance.

More details about the forum, including the speaker list and media registration arrangements, will be announced at a press conference on January 19. Additional information is available through the forum's official pages, including the Asian Financial Forum main page, meeting agenda, and speaker list. The event represents Asia's first major financial gathering of 2026 and serves as a barometer for regional economic priorities and collaboration mechanisms in the coming year.