On January 28, 2026, the "2026 International Forum for Impact Investing" was grandly inaugurated in Hong Kong. This forum was jointly host by the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation (FCSSC), the Chinese Academy of Financial Inclusion Hong Kong Foundation (CAFI HK), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office Shanghai (UNIDO ITPO Shanghai), the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), and the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF).With the theme "Impact in Action: Forging Resilient Futures", the forum gathered nearly 300 industry elites from around the globe to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as the financing gap for sustainable development, cross-border collaboration, corporate expansion, and technological innovation. The aim is to create a diverse and open platform for communication and cooperation, driving the transition of impact investing from conceptual advocacy to scalable practice.
The forum was hosted by Joyce Zhang, Senior Deputy Director-General of FCSSC. Wu Zhong, Director-General of FCSSC; Bei Duoguang, Chairman of GSG Impact China National Partner and President of CAFI; Regina Ip, Convenor of Hong Kong Executive Council and Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society; and Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, delivered opening speeches.As a representative of the organizing committee, Dr. Wu emphasized that in the world currently experiencing intensified upheaval and greater uncertainty, impact investing remains a vital endeavor worthy of our focus, commitment, and investment. He highlighted that impact investing serves as a powerful catalyst for aligning investor capital with social and environmental values. This shift from concept to practice will better equip us to face global challenges and enhance development resilience.
FCSSC has long been promoting the principles and practices of impact investing. Our core function is to assist enterprises in achieving cross-border investments and to support Chinese companies in their global expansion. Upholding the principles of impact investing and integrating them into daily operations is crucial for enterprises seeking to successfully enter local markets, integrate into local communities, and achieve long-term development. FCSSC hopes to engage more people in impact investing by promoting it to enterprises.
The forum was structured into various segments throughout the day, including Keynote Speeches, Impact Dialogue, Impact in Action, Immersive Discussion in the morning, and six parallel sessions along with an impact roadshow in the afternoon. In the keynote speech, Zhang Laiwu, Chief Economist of FCSSC and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, focused on the pathways to expanding the reach of impact investing, offering unique insights.He pointed out that traditional economics tends to separate financial benefits from social responsibilities. However, in a digital and eco-friendly industry, the two can be unified, allowing investments that embody both social value and impact to achieve higher added value. The upgrading and integration of industries will help impact investing transition from a "niche" to a "mainstream" strategy.
Throughout the forum, several significant ceremonies took place, including the launch of the Global South Network for Sustainable Agriculture Website; the kickoff for the fifth Campaign of Carbon-Neutral Technology & Solutions, and the release of the "ESG Value Accounting Report of Hong Kong Listed Companies (2025)." These activities showcased FCSSC's achievements in fostering extensive cooperation with domestic and international partners in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across various fields.
In the afternoon, the parallel sessions focused on six major topics: "Sustainable Investment across Asia," "Unleashing the Potential of Impact Enterprises," "Development Finance Solutions," "Enterprises Going Global," "Mission-Driven Investments for Family Offices," and "Technological Innovation in the Context of Climate Change." Through panel discussions and audience interactions, these sessions provided participants with a platform for in-depth exchanges in specialized areas. Additionally, the forum included a special session for an impact roadshow, where representatives from five impactful startups presented their development visions and business models. This initiative aimed to inspire greater confidence in practices that balance economic, social, and environmental benefits.
The forum brought together a distinguished assembly of elites, with notable guests including Nan Li Collins, Chair, UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative and Divisional Director, Investment and Enterprise, UN Trade and Development; Zhao Xiaolei, Director, UNIDO ITPO Shanghai; Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Impact Investing Network; Zou Ji, Chief Executive Officer and President, Energy Foundation China; Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC ( Tsao Pao Chee) Group and Founder, OCTAVE; Zhang Huichun, Chairman of Jinke Environment; Du Yonghai, Chief Innovation Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council; and Chen Deli (FAA, AO), Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, the University of Melbourne.
This year marks the second International Forum for Impact Investing hosted by the FCSSC. As an NGO established in Hong Kong, FCSSC aims to further leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international financial hub and a nexus for financial innovation in Asia by establishing a sustainable mechanism for international dialogue and cooperation in impact investing. This initiative is intended to position Hong Kong at the forefront and as a leading area in the global development of impact investing.
