World Green Organisation Connects Green Finance to ESG Innovation and Transformation “ESG Xchange 2025 : ESG for Climate Actions International Summit” Bringing Together Global Leaders to Shape the Future
[Hong Kong, May 06, 2025]
The devastating natural disasters of recent years — droughts in Africa, wildfires in the United States, floods in Australia, and wildfires in South Korea — remain vivid in the global memory, underscoring the urgent need for climate action. Around the world, countries are advancing sustainable finance to confront climate change. As a leading international sustainable finance hub, Hong Kong is committed to embedding ESG into business practices, helping enterprises of all sizes build resilience against climate risks.
The World Green Organisation (WGO) will once again host the “ESG Xchange 2025: ESG Climate Action International Summit”, welcoming over 2,500 global government leaders, business executives, and academic experts. Together, they will explore critical topics such as ESG and climate risk strategies, sustainable supply chain management, the opportunities and challenges in carbon markets, the latest in energy efficiency and carbon reduction technologies, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing ESG. Held on May 6–7 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the summit will advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by integrating innovation and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a better future for the next generation.
Since its launch in 2019, WGO’s annual flagship summit has drawn robust support from international and local experts, scholars, and corporate leaders. This year’s summit will feature an even larger lineup, bringing together senior representatives from government bodies, regulators, financial institutions, professional associations, chambers of commerce, listed companies, SMEs, startups, and academia. Notably, the summit is pleased to welcome the United Nations Multi-Country Office for Micronesia, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), and Cyberport as Conference Partners.
We are honoured to have Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; Ms. Diane Wong, JP, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Mr. Jonathan Wong, Chief of Technology and Innovation, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); Dr. Masato Abe, Economist, United Nations Multi-Country Office for Micronesia; and Mr. Harvey Rouse, Head of European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, as officiating guests, alongside WGO Chairman Mr. Alex Cheung, Founding President Mr. Albert Oung, and CEO Dr. William Yu, who will jointly preside over the opening ceremony.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government has been a consistent supporter of this international summit. One of the officiating guests, Mr. Joseph H. L. Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, remarked: “As of the end of December last year, over 220 ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) funds had been authorized by Hong Kong regulators, with total assets under management reaching approximately HK$1.2 trillion. Compared to three years ago, the number of ESG funds has increased by 136%, and their assets under management have grown by 15%. These results further reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a leading sustainable finance hub in Asia and present valuable opportunities for stakeholders to advance in green finance.”
Miss Diane Wong Shuk-han, JP, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, also emphasized: “Hong Kong has made significant progress in environmental protection and carbon reduction in recent years. The city peaked in carbon emissions in 2014, and by 2023, total emissions had declined by approximately 25% from peak. Per capita emissions dropped to 4.58 tonnes – the lowest level since 1990. The Government is fully committed to building a green city and will continue to support the industry in its low-carbon transition, with a strong focus on reducing emissions from power generation, transportation, and waste.”
Global ESG Standards Outlook
Under the theme of “Sustainability, ESG, and Carbon Neutrality,” the summit will deliver a rich program of keynote speeches, thematic forums, panel discussions, and business matchmaking. Highlights include the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), attending as a supporting organization for the first time, alongside heavyweight speakers from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). They will share cutting-edge insights on global ESG disclosure standards, regulatory trends, and strategic foresight, equipping businesses to seize emerging opportunities.
In addition to the business-focused sessions, the summit will feature the Youth Climate Leadership Forum and Global Carbon Neutrality Campus Session, welcoming top carbon-neutrality leaders from universities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia to share practical experience and insights on low-carbon transformation and sustainable campus strategies.
Technology and Innovation Zone
A key highlight this year is the Technology and Innovation Zone. Following last year’s acclaimed ESG Tech Ventures Pitching Session and Carbon Neutrality Technology Exhibition, this year’s edition has drawn over 50 green startups from Mainland China and Hong Kong. Representing sectors including construction, property management, textiles, and marine environmental monitoring, these startups will showcase carbon neutrality technologies, AI-driven environmental applications, smart city solutions, and green supply chain innovations. This platform not only accelerates the growth of local green startups but also creates significant business opportunities for the industry.
International Expansion and Business Matching Platform
Recognizing the rising demand for corporate internationalization, the summit will host a dedicated “Overseas Business Expansion” Session to help companies navigate increasingly stringent ESG regulations in major global markets. Featured speakers include industry leaders and investment promotion agencies from Bahrain, the UAE, Malaysia, and Australia, who will offer in-depth insights into Europe’s diverse ESG policies, industry standards, and market trends, enabling participating companies to stay ahead of global ESG developments.
ESG x AI Keynote
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, ESG and AI have become deeply interwoven. Forward-thinking companies are leveraging technologies like AI and blockchain to advance ESG, driving both operational efficiency and business value. Importantly, the summit will address the crucial topic of ESG ethics in AI, emphasizing that without a proper ethical framework, AI could pose risks or even threats to society. The summit underscores the need for responsible AI development, ensuring that technological progress enhances human well-being.
Heartfelt appreciation to the following organizations for their generous support of ESG Xchange 2025: ESG for Climate Actions International Summit including BOC Life, Crystal International Group, Lifewood, King’s Flair, The Asian Corporate Coalition for Climate Change Resilience (A4CR), Swire Properties, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA), Intertek, Henderson Land Development, LaSense Technology, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas), Cantabrigian, Guangzhou Guzhan, Smartzeroing, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Contex Digital, Kin Sang Chemical, Jibpool, Million Tech, Solution Expert, Auki Labs, Visidr, TÜV Rheinland, Riskory, Masterkote, Baidu PaddlePaddle, Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Malaysia, Sparkmen, Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), Amber Windows & Doors (Guangdong), Bispoint Group, Geome, Green Point, NerOcean, OneChain, International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD)。
Thank you to every speaker, sponsor, delegate, and partner who contributed to this success. Together, we are shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.
A New Logo, A Renewed Commitment
The World Green Organisation unveils its new logo, symbolizing its unwavering commitment to sustainability. Incorporating elements such as a circle, green leaves, fish, and flower stigma, the logo represents nature, prosperity, innovation, and connection, reflecting WGO’s core values of environmental conservation, social responsibility, economic sustainability, and global collaboration. This milestone marks a new era for WGO as it continues to champion green economy, community engagement, and educational outreach, working with stakeholders to build a more harmonious and sustainable world.
About World Green Organisation:
The World Green Organisation (WGO) is an independent non-governmental organisation concerned with environmental conservation and environmentally related livelihood and economic affairs. We aim to improve the economy, the environment and people’s living through science-based public policies and comprehensive community projects, helping all sectors especially the grassroots to meet the challenges and implement the vision of sustainable development. For more information about our organisation, please view our website: https://www.thewgo.org/
For ESG Xchange 2024: ESG for Climate Actions International Summit, please visit: https://esgxchangehk.com/
Media Enquiry:
WGO CEO : Dr. William Yu
Phone：+852 2391 1693
Email：[email protected]
WGO Senior ESG Manager : Mr. Nick AuYong
Phone：+852 2991 9129
Email：[email protected]
WGO Manager, Digital Marketing and Event : Ms. Flora Ip
Phone：+852 2991 9118
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