ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS FORUM 2018
The Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF) is the flagship regional business Forum organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since 2004 at different locations within its 53 Member States and 9 associate members. This year Hong Kong is the host city and Cyberport will be jointly organising this high profile event on 10-11 April with ESCAP with support from the Innovation and Technology Bureau of HKSAR Government.
APBF 2018 – “Harnessing Business with the Sustainable Development Goals through Technology, Innovation and Financing”. The Forum will focus on how private sector-led innovation, technology and financing can enhance efforts towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
JOIN THE LEADERS FROM ESCAP AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SAR TO :
Explore how responsible investment will drive sustainable development
Learn from tech experts on how AI & FinTech can unleash new paradigms
Gain insights on Digital Silk Road & OECD Economic Outlook reports
Network with industry leaders for disaster risk reduction & smart energy
Check out latest innovations from impact entrepreneurs across AP
Connect with regional government officials
SPEAKERS
SCHEDULE
10TH APR (Tuesday)
9:00am
Inaugural Session
Welcome Statement
Mr. Mahbubur Rahman
President, ICC Bangladesh; Chairman, ETBL Holdings; President, ESCAP Sustainable Business Network Executive Council
Opening Address
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
Inaugural Address
Mr. Paul CHAN Mo-po
GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
Welcome statement and introduction to keynote speakers
Dr. Lee George Lam
Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company
Keynote speeches
Economic transformation through innovation and technology:
Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy
Founder, Infosys
The Role of Companies in Growth and Innovation
Mr. Ben Way
Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Group Asia
11:00am
Plenary Session 1
Responsible investment: how can governments and business work together to scale up sustainable investing
Sustainable or responsible investment considers environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact. Impact investments, considered as part of responsible investment, are investments made into companies, organizations and funds with the intention to generate social and environmental impacts alongside a financial return.
The session will address how governments, private sector and other actors can work together to scale up sustainable, responsible and impact investment. It will discuss some of the key first steps to be considered by governments and investment communities, especially those from economies that are at earlier stages in developing policies and strategies in this area. The session will also discuss some tools that government has at its disposal for responsible investment, such as legislation and regulation, funding and finance, tax, business development, research and development and education.
Moderator:
Professor Y.C. Richard Wong
Professor of Economics, The University of Hong Kong
Panellists:
Mr. Tristan Ace
Global Social Enterprise Strategy Lead, British Council
Dr. Ma Jun
Director of the Center for Finance and Development, Tsinghua National Institute of Financial Research
Ms. Angela Bai
General Secretary, China Alliance of Social Value Investment (CASVI)
Ms. Tihana Bule
Economist/Policy Analyst, Responsible Business Conduct, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affair, International Investment Division, OECD
Mr. Stephen Wong
Deputy Executive Director and Head of Public Policy Institute, Our Hong Kong Foundation
2:00pm
Plenary Session 2
Fintech: Unleashing a sustainable development revolution
Fintech is not only about disrupting the existing financial system, but also about providing access to a large number of people to financial services that were previously unavailable to them. There are tremendous business opportunities in bringing about financial inclusion in developing countries, allowing the underbanked and underinsured to access finance through digital tools at lower transaction costs. These vulnerable groups can now have access to support in ways that the traditional financial institutions were not able to provide. However, the development of fintech currently lacks structure and adequate regulations, which carries potential risks, security and regulatory concerns.
The session will focus on Fintech and its role in contributing to sustainable economic development by addressing these questions:
- How can Fintech help developing countries leapfrog into the new economy?
- What regulatory developments are there with regards to Fintech?
- What would be the desirable outcomes of new developments?
Moderator:
Mr. Pat Woo
Partner, KPMG
Presentation of Conference Special Publication by Mr. Andrew Weir, Senior Partner, KPMG
Panellists:
Mr. Nurlan Kussainov
CEO, Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Kazakhstan
Mr. Phang Yew Kiat
Vice Chairman & CEO, Chong Sing Holdings FinTech Group Ltd.
Mr. Frank Tong
Global Head of Innovation and Technology Investment, HSBC
Mr. Alex Kong
Founder and Chairman, TNG FinTech Group
3:30pm
Plenary Session 3
The Artificial Intelligence Revolution: implications for work and society
Current developments in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) are possibly the most important topic for the future of human civilization. And that future may come very soon given the rapid developments in technology in general and AI in particular. Currently, AI development is still in an infancy stage but is progressing at an exponential rate. AI will revolutionize society and economic production, unlock opportunities for humanity but also create unimaginable disruptions. Looking ahead, this session will address the following questions:
- What does AI mean for work and inclusion?
- What can be done to ensure that no one will be left behind in the age of continuous disruption?
- What will be the impact of AI on inequalities among countries and within countries?
- How can AI be deployed to contribute to a sustainable future, specifically towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda?
- What kind of society can be envisaged by 2030?
Moderator:
Prof. Barbara Meynert
Senior Advisor, Fung Group; Chair, ESBN Task Force on Digital Economy
Panellists:
Dr. Andy Chun
Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong City University of Hong Kong Convenor, AI Specialist Group, HK Computer Society, City University of Hong Kong
Mr. Yam Ki Chan
Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Hong Kong and South Asia Frontier, Google
Mr. Scott Likens
Emerging Technology Lead, US & China, PwC
Mr. D. Christopher KEIL
Managing Partner, TRANZCIP, LCC
5:00pm
Closing Session – Day 1
Ir. Allen Yeung
Government Chief Information Officer, Innovation and Technology Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
5:15pm
Cocktail Reception followed by Gala Dinner
11TH APR (Wednesday)
9:00am
Special Session: Digital Silk Road
Fostering regional cooperation in technology and finance for the Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road initiative is a powerful platform for cross-country collaboration to drive sustainable development and prosperity. The key to success lies with the use of digital technology to connect tangible projects, serious investors and knowledgeable professionals, and facilitate complex developments into commercially viable and financially manageable projects. Digital technology transcends geographic boundaries and ease market entry, enables SMEs to capture countless opportunities in the new economy and growth of employment opportunities across countries. Hence, the Digital Silk Road is the force that paves the way for reshaping societies across the region.
This session will focus on 3 dimensions for propelling the Digital Silk Road:
- Regional trade development
- Big data hub facilitation
- Redefining the supply chain
Session Introduction:
Mr. Zhou Li
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, China Daily Asia Pacific
Moderator:
Mr. Alfred Romann
Contributing Editor, China Daily Asia Pacific
Panelists:
Dr. Li Shan
CEO, Silk Road Finance Corporations Ltd.
Dr. Margit Molnar
Chief China Economist, OECD
Mr. Carson Wen
Founder and Chairman, Bank of Asia, British Virgin Islands and BOA Financial Group, Hong Kong, China
10:00am
Information Session 1
Satellite Technology for Business Resilience in the Asia-Pacific region
Mr. Zhang Zu Xin
Chairman, BD International Technology Group Limited.
Information Session 2
UNCITRAL E-Commerce Law 2.0: Paving the way to our digital future in Asia and the Pacific
Mr. João Ribeiro-Bidaoui
Head, UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific
Information Session 3
Economic outlook and key policy challenges in emerging Asia
Presentation on OECD Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2018 by Dr. Kensuke Tanaka, Head of Asia Desk, OECD Development Centre
Panelists:
Mr. Aung Naing Oo
Director General, Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, Ministry of Planning and Finance
Ms. Pamela Mar
Director, Supply Chain Future – Fung Academy, Fung Group
11:30am
Plenary Session 1
Impact entrepreneurship – leapfrogging into the innovative future and nurturing AP-based entrepreneurial ecosystems
With reference to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), 5 (Gender Equality) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), this session will discuss impact entrepreneurship, convening entrepreneurs and experts in the field that are actively contributing to the Asia-Pacific impact entrepreneurial ecosystems. It will also focus on the ability of young entrepreneurs to leapfrog leveraging technology and innovation. This session will also celebrate achievements in different sectors that are aligned with impact entrepreneurship and with the SDGs.
Moderator/Convener:
Mr. Pedro Eloy
Chief Executive Officer, Pelham Grey; Founder, Businesslab HKU MBA; Chair, ESBN Taskforce Youth & Women Entrepreneurship
Panellists:
Mr. Ron Kwok
Partner Channel Development at Microsoft
Mr. Miguel Cordeiro
CEO at Media Invest
Mr. Joe Sung
CEO and Founder HobaBike, Grand State International (HK) Limited
Ms. Zha Agabe-Granfar
Director at VERGE Ltd
Mr. David Yeung
Founder of Green Monday
Ms. Adriana Lica
Lead at HSBC PayMe
Dr. Garrath T. Wilson (PhD)
Lecturer in Industrial Design, Loughborough Design School
Dr. Val Mitchell
Senior Lecturer, Programme Director for MA User Experience Design, Loughborough Design School
Plenary Session 2
Business innovations in disaster risk reduction
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction calls for the improvement of regulations and incentives for private disaster risk reduction investment and for business to integrate disaster risk into their management practices. Addressing underlying disaster risk factors through disaster risk-informed public and private investments is more cost-effective than mere reliance on post-disaster response and recovery. The ESCAP Regional Road Map for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific outlines the need to facilitate regional dialogue on integrating disaster risk reduction strategies in development frameworks. Therefore, this session seeks to answer the question of “How the private sector can contribute to disaster risk reduction through innovates strategies and solutions to manage disaster risks in capital investments, supply chains and operations?”.
Moderator:
Mr. Asif Ibrahim
Vice Chairman, Newage Group of Industries and Chair of ESBN Task Force on Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction
Panellists:
Mr. Puji Pujiono
Senior Programme Officer, ESCAP Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management
Mr. Heru Prasetyo
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Patrons, Indonesia Business Link
Mr. Shazali Sulaiman
Chairman, The Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mr. Richard Welford
Chairman, CSR-Asia, member of Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies
Ms. Winnie Koh
Supply Chain Risk Management, Resilience360, Deutsche Post DHL Group
Dr. M. Emdadul HAQUE
Executive Member, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Networking Lunch
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Plenary Session 3
Enhancing social inclusion through disruptive innovations
Social Inclusion is a major challenge for countries in the Asia Pacific Region. In recognition of this, a panel will discuss best practices, ideas & approaches with a focus on enhancing social inclusion & increasing productivity through innovation. Innovation can indeed be an engine of growth, driving a virtuous circle where growth translates into enhanced well-being for all and where inclusion underpins stronger growth in a sustainable manner leaving no one behind.
This session explores best practices, ideas & approaches with regard to disruptive innovations for enhancing social inclusion and the strategies that could be implemented by governments, business and other organizations.
Moderator/Convener:
Akash Bhavsar
Managing Director, Skyquest Technology Group; Chair, ESBN Task Force on Innovation and Competitiveness
Panellists:
Dr. Jeong Hyop Lee
Senior Advisor, Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute (STIPI), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand
Mr. Daniel O’Connor
Consultant Principal, Incub8IP.com
Mr. Francis Ngai
Founder & CEO, Social Ventures Hong Kong
Ms. Shriya Damani
Founder & Z Chief, SDGZ (Sustainable Development Goals for Generation Z)
Plenary Session 4
Smart Energy – Innovation, Transformation and Disruption
Current modalities to supply energy are changing. For more than a hundred years, electricity has been produced on a large scale by centralized power plants and distributed over transmission lines to meet the demand where it is needed. Today significant changes can be observed in the way energy is produced and distributed driven by new technology, and demands for more efficient and cleaner energy and overall market liberalization.
This session will consider how energy production and supply is evolving: renewable vs. conventional technologies, distributed vs. centralized production, energy storage, energy trading, demand management, market liberalization and other factors that are driving this evolution. The session will further consider the opportunities that this disruption is creating for new/evolving energy infrastructure and more sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region and what is needed from industry, government and the community to realize these opportunities.
Moderator:
Mr. Bruce Hicks
Chairman, Asia Clean Capital Ltd
Panellists:
Ms. Lena Hansen
Managing Director, Rocky Mountain Institute
Mr. Geert Peeters
Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer, CLP Holdings
Mr. Guruprakash Sastry
Regional Head – Infrastructure & Green Initiatives, Infosys Limited
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Closing Session
Way Forward: Technology, innovation and finance for sustainable development
Closing Address
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
Closing keynote speech
Dr. Victor K. Fung
Chairman of Fung Group
Closing Remarks
Dr. Lee George Lam
Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company; Vice-President, ESCAP Sustainable Business Network Executive Council
MEDIA CENTER
ORGANISERS
FULLY SUPPORTED BY
DIAMOND SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSOR
COCKTAIL SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR
PUBLICATION PARTNER
MEDIA PARTNERS
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
A WEEK TO BE INSPIRED
APBF attendees will enjoy special offers to take part in:
INTERNET ECONOMY SUMMIT
12-13 April 2018
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(Special Offer)
APBF registrants can enjoy EXCLUSIVE offer for IES 2018.
ICT EXPO
3-16 April 2018
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition centre
(Free admission)
The Expo showcases latest ICT products and solutions to maximise operation efficiency and drive for increased business opportunities.
