The International Finance Forum’s annual meeting, held in Hong Kong from November 22-23, was a highly successful and dynamic event, drawing together world leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss critical issues facing the global economy. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, the gathering offered an essential platform for dialogue and collaboration.

More than 200 distinguished participants, including John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, came together in Hong Kong, where the event was being held for the first time, to engage in in-depth discussions on global economic development, emerging trends in global trade, international cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable development.

Throughout the meeting, a number of key consensuses were reached, notably the promotion of global sustainable development, support for green growth, advocacy for carbon pricing, and efforts to help the Global South, which are countries whose economies are not yet fully developed, combat poverty and achieve greater development.

Policymakers provided recommendations aimed at advancing China's economic and financial development, boosting international confidence in its recovery, and facilitating the internationalization of the Chinese yuan, along with supporting the global expansion of Chinese enterprises.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of Hong Kong as an international financial center, underscoring its pivotal role in global financial cooperation. Suggestions were made to enhance connectivity mechanisms to further increase the special administrative region’s market attractiveness.

“The IFF, which is a non-profit international organization founded in 2003 by G20 countries and international organizations, has made significant strides over the past 21 years to foster communication and cooperation in international finance, contributing to global economic stability and development. As we look to the future, our focus remains on ‘Global Transformation: Forging a Better Future for International Cooperation’,” said Zhou Xiaochuan, Chairman of the IFF General Assembly and former Governor of the People’s Bank of China.

Echoing this sentiment, Herman Van Rompuy, IFF Co-Chairman and former Prime Minister of Belgium, emphasized the importance of trust in global dialogue, stating, “Dialogue can only be productive if there is trust between global actors. Restoring trust requires respect for the international rule of law.”

The meeting also saw the release of three groundbreaking reports: the Report on the Development of Global Digital Currencies, which delves into the evolution, impact, and regulatory challenges of digital currencies; the Global Finance and Development Report 2024, which provides an in-depth analysis of global and Chinese economic conditions, along with policy recommendations; and the IFF Global Artificial Intelligence Competitiveness Index Report, which assesses the competitiveness of AI companies worldwide, offering insights into how nations can strengthen their AI sectors.

In addition, two prestigious awards were presented at the event: the IFF Global Green Finance Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to green finance and sustainable development, and the IFF Belt and Road Cooperation Award, honoring innovative projects that promote the Belt and Road Initiative and global economic integration.

The IFF also launched the Global Sustainable Development Leaders Program, a new initiative designed to identify and nurture emerging leaders committed to sustainable development. More than 100 financial and political leaders have joined this ambitious program, aimed at fostering global progress.

The annual meeting garnered significant media attention, with over 230 media outlets covering the event, from Bloomberg News to Frankfurter Allgemeine. The global impact of the event reached a remarkable 73.2 billion impressions across major online platforms.

Ultimately, the IFF’s annual meeting reinforced its position as a crucial platform for global governance and green finance, demonstrating the unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit of the international community to address future challenges and build a more sustainable, prosperous world.