Eco Expo Asia 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, will take place from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo, bringing together more than 340 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions. The 21st edition, held under the theme "Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future," marks the debut of an ASEAN Pavilion and a Qinghai Pavilion, alongside four key thematic areas: Green Energy in Motion, Frontier Green Tech, Building for a Greener City, and From Waste to Worth.
The expo arrives as governments and businesses accelerate decarbonisation efforts. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Silas Chu noted that China, the European Union, and many ASEAN economies are pursuing carbon-neutrality or net-zero targets. "Green transformation has shifted from policy aspiration to market rule," Chu said, adding that the expo will help enterprises capitalise on new prospects. The event also aligns with Hong Kong's recently unveiled Policy Address and first Five-Year Plan, which set a vision for a green and liveable city.
A key indicator of this momentum is the HKTDC ESG Index 2026, released alongside the expo announcement. The index rose to 67.3 from 64.2 last year, well above the neutral threshold of 50. The survey found that 93% of respondents have integrated ESG into business decision-making, while the share of businesses sourcing or selling ESG-related products and services climbed from 29% in 2025 to 46% in 2026. Chu said the results demonstrate that ESG has evolved "beyond a compliance requirement into a source of competitive advantage."
The expo's international reach has expanded, with first-time participants from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The new ASEAN Pavilion features 13 green technology companies from eight member countries, and an ASEAN networking reception on opening day will strengthen regional business ties. On the Chinese Mainland side, Qinghai Province makes its first appearance with its own pavilion, joined by nine Greater Bay Area cities, Macao, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai, and Nanjing. Other international pavilions include the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, the US State of Illinois, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem is represented by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, which leads 11 start-ups, and the Hong Kong Pavilion with 19 local exhibitors.
Exhibitors will showcase practical solutions. EcoCeres Ltd. debuts advanced renewable sustainable aviation fuel made from waste materials. Stellerus Technology Limited will display MUSICO, the world's first lightweight, high-resolution greenhouse gas observatory, already deployed on China's Tiangong space station. Green Vigor Limited presents a modular hydropower system that converts wasted hydraulic resources in buildings into electricity, while AEC GreenTech Innovations Limited brings a plastering and paint-spraying robot that works at least five times faster than manual labour. In waste management, Green AI Technology Limited launches REV, a new generation unmanned recycling station.
More than 30 forums and seminars will feature over 80 government officials, industry leaders, and business representatives. The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China will co-host the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong for the first time. The final day, 29 October, is Public Day with free admission, offering workshops and seminars on climate, environmental protection, and food waste upcycling.
For travel details to the fairground, visitors can consult the https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/tc/travel-to-fairground-awe. The full expo programme is available at https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en, and the ESG Index 2026 report can be found at https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MjQ0ODY3NzQwMg. Photos are available for download at https://bit.ly/4jbQXeK.
The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. It organises international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions, and provides market insights through research reports. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
