Chief Executive John Lee says Hong Kong can offer financing and risk services for green projects at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference
Hong Kong hosts Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026
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Hong Kong hosted the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference for the first time on 26 October, with Chief Executive John Lee presenting the city as a base for green finance and technology services for Belt and Road partners.
The mainland Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Hong Kong’s Environment and Ecology Bureau organised the one-day event, themed “Partnering with the Global South on Green Transition, Advancing Sustainable Development Worldwide.” More than 400 political and business leaders, international organisation representatives and experts came from 17 Belt and Road countries and around 40 mainland provinces and cities, the government said.
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The government said the conference has been held successfully five times so far under the Green Silk Road framework, drawing more than 1,000 officials, experts and corporate representatives from more than 50 countries and regions.
What did John Lee say about Hong Kong’s role?
Lee said Hong Kong can offer Belt and Road partners financing, project management and risk management services for green infrastructure and sustainable development projects. He said the city launched its First Five-Year Plan last month, aligned with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and aims for carbon neutrality before 2050.
He also said a Green Technology Bridgehead Programme will launch next year to help mainland and overseas green enterprises bring their solutions to Belt and Road markets.
Who else spoke at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference?
China’s environment minister Huang Runqiu spoke at the opening ceremony. He said China has continued to deepen practical cooperation with other countries on green and low carbon transformation and environmental protection, and hoped all parties would expand green financing channels and jointly build a green Belt and Road.
Hong Kong’s ecology secretary Tse Chin-wan gave the morning keynote, saying Hong Kong will use green innovation to turn technology, capital, talent and professional services into practical low carbon solutions. In the afternoon he met delegations from Myanmar, the Maldives and Bangladesh to discuss climate change, environmental protection and cooperation between cities.
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Senior officials from Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Kenya attended in person. Environmental authorities from countries including Pakistan, Cuba, Georgia, Egypt and Thailand joined a policy dialogue on the Global South’s green transition.
What happens next?
Hong Kong will take part in the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange and the Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation. Separately, the 21st Eco Expo Asia opened at AsiaWorld-Expo on 26 October and runs until 29 October, with free public entry on the final day.
