Hong Kong is set to solidify its role as a global nexus for international trade and cooperation as it prepares to host the 10th anniversary edition of the Belt and Road Summit. The landmark event, a cornerstone for economic dialogue along the historic trade routes, will gather a powerful assembly of global leaders, policymakers, and corporate visionaries to forge the partnerships that will shape tomorrow’s economy. Under the theme Collaborate for Change • Shape a Shared Future, the summit is poised to be the most impactful yet.
Scheduled for September 10th and 11th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event is co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). This year’s program is designed to move beyond dialogue to deliver tangible deals and long-term partnerships across critical sectors like finance, green technology, infrastructure, and digital innovation.
A Decade of Building Bridges and Driving Growth
Since its inception in 2016, the Belt and Road Summit has evolved into an indispensable platform for global business. Its track record speaks volumes: over 45,000 participants from more than 120 countries have connected, leading to more than 5,400 business matching meetings and facilitating over 30 major deals.
This growth mirrors the initiative’s broader success. Hong Kong’s merchandise trade with Belt and Road countries has surged by nearly 80% since 2013, a growth rate 3.2 times faster than the city’s overall external trade, underscoring the immense potential of these emerging markets.
“This demonstrates Hong Kong’s capabilities as an international trade and investment hub,” stated government officials, highlighting the city’s unique position as both a super connector and a super value-adder between mainland China and the world.
Inside the 2025 Summit: Focus on Green Tech and New Markets
The 10th-anniversary agenda is packed with high-level discussions and new features designed to spark collaboration. The event will open with a keynote address from Hong Kong’s Chief Executive and feature a Policy Dialogue with ministers from Malaysia, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Sri Lanka, exploring the latest in cross-regional economic cooperation.
A major focus will be the Keynote Luncheon, themed “Building a Connected World with Green and Digital Innovation,” which will outline strategies for sustainable development.
New for this year are dedicated sessions showcasing signature projects and market spotlights, particularly on the high-growth regions of the Middle East and ASEAN. A recent HKSAR business delegation to Qatar and Kuwait already yielded a significant memorandum of understanding for a new factory, a success story that will be shared at a plenary session on exploring new markets.
“Themed ASEAN: Unveiling New Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration, the other business plenary will bring together top CEOs to discuss the future of engagement with Southeast Asia,” the organisers noted.
From Discussion to Deal-Making
The summit is meticulously designed to translate dialogue into action. The Project Investment Session and Belt and Road Deal-Making forum will showcase over 300 investment projects, with a new focus on ventures in the Middle East and ASEAN. These sessions provide a critical opportunity for one-to-one meetings, negotiation, and finalizing partnerships.
An extensive exhibition will feature an all-new ASEAN Pavilion, alongside a Hong Kong Zone and InnoTech Zone, presenting a vast array of professional services and innovative technologies to a global audience.
Marking a decade of progress, the 2025 Belt and Road Summit is more than a conference; it is a dynamic engine for international business, poised to open a new chapter of shared growth and tangible achievement for economies around the world.
