Distinguished speakers including government officials, members of royal families and heads of international organisations and family offices, set to engage in action-focused dialogues addressing climate change and nature loss
Hong Kong (March 22, 2024) - The Institute of Sustainability and Technology (IST), a Hong Kong-based sustainability research and education institute, has revealed the esteemed speakers for the inaugural One Earth Summit, the premier global gathering for international sustainability leaders set to take place at Regala Skycity Hotel, Hong Kong on March 25, 2024. Organised by the Institute of Sustainability and Technology, co-organised by the World Economic Forum’s GAEA (Giving to Amplify Earth Action) Initiative, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum as a Knowledge Partner, and with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and InvestHK of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as Host Partners, the Summit is a first-of-its-kind platform in Asia Pacific that curates action-focused dialogues for achieving a net-zero, nature positive transition in the region and beyond.
Under the theme of “Planetary crossroads: Investing in innovations for a sustainable future”, the Summit will leverage Hong Kong’s prominence as the region’s financial and innovation hub to foster an ecosystem of public-private-philanthropic partnerships dedicated to driving sustainability progress through putting promise into action. The Summit programme aims to foster actionable solutions to address global sustainability challenges through insightful discussions focusing on five distinct areas: Water & Nature-based Solutions; Infrastructure & Urban Development; Food & Agriculture; Energy Transition; and Materials & Industrial Decarbonisation.
The Summit will bring together around 100 influential leaders and distinguished speakers, and more than 500 participants to engage in action-focused dialogues to address the global climate challenge. Key speakers and audience members include climate envoys, government representatives, heads of international organisations and multilateral banks, green finance experts, young leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as academia, institutional investors, and prominent philanthropists. (Please refer to the end of the article for the list of selected esteemed speakers at the Summit)
Messages from the Platinum Sponsors
Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong, said, “Finance has a powerful influence on the world. At UBS we reimagine the power of people and capital to create a better world for everyone: a fairer society, a more prosperous economy and a healthier environment. That is why we partner with our clients to help them mobilise their capital towards a more sustainable world and why we have put sustainability at the heart of our purpose. Bringing together such an important group of experts in the field of sustainability for this summit is a strong example of why Hong Kong is an international financial hub.”
Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group & Founder of OCTAVE Institute, said, “True sustainability can only be achieved through partnerships and collaborations that transcend boundaries, both geographical and mental. To confront the vast challenge of personal, organisational, and climate change, it becomes imperative for the public, private, and philanthropic realms to weave together. The One Earth Summit serves as a platform and a road of awakening, alignment, collaboration, and co-creation that stakeholders can jointly embark upon and lead into the well-being and happiness era, empowering innovative solutions that foster resilience for our shared future.”
Dr Peter Lee Ka-kit, Chairman of Henderson Land Group and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, said, “As stewards of our planet, we hold the responsibility to safeguard its precious resources for generations to come. The One Earth Summit serves as a catalyst for action, igniting the spirit of collaboration and innovation necessary to address the urgent challenges facing our world today through knowledge sharing, showcasing talent and cutting-edge technologies in Asia and emerging markets around the globe.”
A teaser video for the One Earth Summit also debuts today, featuring H.E. Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum, Member of the Ruling Family in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Mr Siddharth Chatterjee, Resident Coordinator in China, United Nations; Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group; Ms Guo Jingjing, World Economic Forum Friends of the Ocean Action China Hub Member and Olympic diving champion; Ms Kelly Chen, singer and artist; Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong; Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group & Founder of OCTAVE Institute, as well as other renowned celebrities and thought leaders from around the world. They have come together to show their support for the Summit’s “One Earth” mission: Global unity, environmental sustainability, and collective action to address pressing issues facing our planet.
Click here to watch the teaser video.
For more information, please visit the event website www.oneearthsummit.org/
About the Organiser
The Institute of Sustainability and Technology (IST) is a non-profit organisation with a mission to empower transformational solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. IST strives to accelerate the net-zero transition through international collaboration, sustainability education programmes, and interdisciplinary research.
About the Co-organiser
Powered by World Economic Forum
Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) is a global initiative of the World Economic Forum to foster new and existing public, private and philanthropic partnerships (4Ps) to help unlock the $3 trillion of financing needed each year to reach net zero, reverse nature loss and restore biodiversity by 2050.
About the Host Partners
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government aims to maintain and enhance Hong Kong’s status as a major international financial centre; maintain the integrity and stability of the financial system of Hong Kong; ensure orderly and efficient operation as well as prudent and appropriate regulation of the financial markets; and provide a business environment which is open, fair and conducive to financial market developments. FSTB seeks to achieve the above aims through formulating policies and/or introducing legislative proposals; assisting the Financial Secretary in overseeing the relevant regulatory authorities; co-ordinating and facilitating the implementation of new initiatives on financial infrastructure; and facilitating market innovation, etc.
InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies.
About the Knowledge Partner
World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation committed to improving the state of the world. In its capacity as a collaborator for the Summit, it will facilitate engaging the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
List of Selected Esteemed Speakers at the Summit:
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government:
- The Hon John KC Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, Chief Executive
- The Hon Paul Chan Mo-po GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary (subject to final confirmation)
- The Hon Christopher Hui Ching-yu, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
- Mr Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
- Ms Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK
- Mr Arthur Yuen, JP, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Mr Samson Wong, Chief Investment Officer (Private Markets) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Ms Christine Kung, Senior Director, Head of International Affairs and Sustainable Finance, Securities and Futures Commission
Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leaders (in alphabetical order of first name):
- Mr Alfred Chuang, Founder and General Partner of Race Capital
- Ms Amy Fong (ESG Committee Head, FountainVest)
- Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong
- Ir Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation) of Sino Group
- Ms Angel Chia, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy
- Dr Arunava Majumdar, Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
- Prof Benjamin Cashore, Li Ka Shing Professor in Public Management and Director, Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) of National University of Singapore
- Mr Brian Gu, Vice Chairman of XPENG
- Mr Boon Heong Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation
- Ms Catherine Zhu, Global Head of the Sustainability Practice of Egon Zehnder
- Mr Chandran Nair, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT)
- Prof Charles Ng, Vice President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Guangzhou
- Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group and Founder of OCTAVE Institute
- Ms Christina Gaw, Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets and Co-Chair of Alternative Investments of Gaw Capital Partners
- Prof Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Ms Daphne Wat, Deputy Chief Executive of China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited
- Mr David Yeung, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Monday Group
- Ms Deepali Khanna, Managing Director of the Asia Regional Office of The Rockefeller Foundation
- Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos, Associate Professor at University College London
- Mr Dominic O'Neill, Executive Director of the UN's Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF)
- Ms Elizabeth Kiss, Chief Executive Officer of Rhodes Trust
- Mr En Lee, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable and Impact Investments in Asia of LGT
- Mr Eric Lim, Managing Director and the Chief Sustainability Officer of United Overseas Bank Limited
- Mr Musaab AlMulla, Vice President, Energy and Economic Insights, Saudi Aramco
- Prof Freddy Boey, President of City University of Hong Kong
- Ms Gill Meller, Legal and Governance Director of MTR Corporation Limited
- Ms Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of World Economic Forum
- Mr Gregor Paterson-Jones, Former CIO of the National Infrastructure Fund
- Mr Henry Gonzalez, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of Green Climate Fund
- Mr Hiro Mizuno, Founder and CEO of Good Steward Partners, LLC
- Prof Hongbin Cai, Dean of the HKU Business School
- Ms Jane Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Trip.com
- Mr Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety
- Mr Jim Coulter, Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of TPG
- Mr Jingdong Hua, Vice Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
- Mr Jingwen Tao, Board Member and Chairman of the Corporate Sustainable Development Committee of Huawei
- Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey & Company in Greater China
- Ms Joey Wat, Chief Executive Officer of Yum China
- Prof Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
- Mr John Haffner, Deputy Director - Sustainability of Hang Lung Properties Limited
- Mr John Lee, Vice Chairman, Co-Head of Asia Country Coverage, Global Banking, UBS Investment Bank
- Prof Justin Yifu Lin, Dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics of Peking University
- Mr Justin Wu, Co-Head of Climate Change Asia Pacific of HSBC
- Mr Khan Yow, Managing Director of Seraya Partners
- Mr Kian Wee Seah, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Venture Management Pte Ltd
- Mr Kristian Teleki, Chief Executive Officer of Flora & Fauna
- Mr Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Founder of Asia Just Transition Missions Hub
- Mr Lio Chen, Vice President, Operations, Regal Hotels International
- Mr Luis Alvarado, Head of Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) of World Economic Forum
- Dr Manar Al Moneef, Chief Investment Officer of NEOM
- Mr Marco Lambertini, Former International General Director and Special Envoy, WWF International
- Mr Mark Cheng, Founder and Managing Partner of Social Innovation Circle
- Mr Mark Harper, Group Head of Sustainability of Swire Group
- Dr Mark Konyn, Group Chief Investment Officer of AIA
- H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein
- Ms Michaela Kendall, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Adelan
- Ms Nan Li, Former Director of Sustainable Investments and Innovation of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
- Prof Nancy Y. Ip, SBS, BBS, MH, JP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Mr Paul Loo, Chief Operating Officer, Lalamove
- Dr Peter Lee Ka-kit, GBS, JP, Chairman of Henderson Land Group and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
- Mr Peter Nobel, Chairman of the Nobel Sustainability Trust
- Mr Peter Wong, Managing Director of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
- Prof Poman Lo, Founder of Institute of Sustainability and Technology
- Mr Rahul Chaudhary, Executive Director of Chaudhary Group
- Mr Rob Genieser, Managing Director of ETF Partner
- Dr Robin Zeng, Founder, Chairman and General Manager of CATL
- Mr Scott Vaughan, International Chief Advisor, China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED)
- Mr Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China
- His Highness Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum, Member of the Ruling family in Dubai
- Mr Tasos Zavitsanakis, Co-Head UBS APAC Sustainable Finance Office
- Mr TK Chiang, Chief Executive Officer of CLP Holdings Limited
- Ms Tomomi Shimada, Lead Sustainable Investing Strategist for Asia Pacific, Executive Director of J. P. Morgan Asset Management
- Prof Tony Chan, President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
- Ms Vanessa Cheung, Group Managing Director of Nan Fung Development Limited
- H.E. Mr Vuk Jeremić, Former President, United Nations General Assembly
- Prof Yi Cui, Director of Sustainability Accelerator of Stanford University