Congratulatory Messages and Welcome Remarks
At the opening of the inaugural One Earth Summit in Hong Kong, The Hon John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made his welcome remarks. (Read the full speech here)
Luncheon Remarks by The Hon Christopher Hui Ching-yu
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hon Christopher Hui Ching-yu, announced HKSAR Government’s vision statement on developing the sustainability disclosure ecosystem in Hong Kong during his luncheon remarks. (Read the full speech here)
Prof Poman Lo, Founder of Institute of Sustainability and Technology and convenor of the One Earth Summit, said during her welcome remarks: “One Earth Summit seeks to unite the world in saving our one and only home – Mother Earth. With this inaugural summit, we are embarking on a six-year journey. The global climate crisis places us at a critical juncture in the history of humankind. We could either continue on a path of conflict and destruction. Or we can choose to transcend above boundaries and divisions and join forces in our fight against climate change in this crucial Decade of Action. We are obviously the root of the problem, but we can also be the solution.”
During the opening ceremony, Ms Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, World Economic Forum, also made her welcome remarks: "The time calls for leadership across government, business, academia and civil society. Leaders to transform our existing models of consumption and production. Leaders to drive the decarbonisation of industries, protect and restore ecosystems as well as better steward Earth’s resources to improve the quality of lives and livelihoods for all. Leaders who can innovate on policy, market mechanisms and financial instruments, as well as harness the power of technology, culture and partnerships to turn crisis into opportunity."
During the Summit’s opening, Prof Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum and Global Co-Chair, Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA), World Economic Forum; H.E. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations; and Mr Ray Dalio, Founder, CIO Mentor, and Member of the Bridgewater Board and Global Co-Chair, Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA); also delivered their congratulatory messages over videos.
Message from Platinum Sponsors
The representatives of platinum sponsors of the inaugural One Earth Summit: Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia and Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong; Mr Chavalit Fredrick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group and Founder of OCTAVE Institute; and Dr Peter Lee Ka-kit, Chairman of Henderson Land Group and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited spoke on the future of sustainable technology and finance in Asia during their speeches.
Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong, said, “It is a core priority at UBS to be the global connector of opportunities and investments across sustainable finance. This is why we proudly support the One Earth Summit and its ambitions to accelerate the net zero transition in the region and beyond together. We operate in 13 locations across APAC and we have a significant role to play by bringing together all the available resources across capital, talent and impact.”
Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group and Founder of OCTAVE Institute, said, “We need the leadership of institutions to restore our inner human nature of LOVE, fuelling action to protect the outer environment, which is our home, our only ONE EARTH. This is our one choice, our shared destiny, and our legacy.”
Dr Peter Lee Ka-kit, Chairman of Henderson Land Group and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, said, “As the name of this important summit vividly reminds us, we only have one Planet Earth, and our precious Earth is teetering on the edge of an abyss. The future of our planet will depend largely upon climate technologies and our collective ability to innovate and implement them. At this One Earth Summit, let us find the vision and resolve to guide us towards a brighter, greener tomorrow.”
