AFF looks to new, green, digitised world

Addressing the forum’s theme, “Navigating the Next Normal towards a Sustainable Future”, more than 100 global business leaders, policymakers, financial experts, investors, entrepreneurs, tech giants and economists will speak at AFF 2022. They will examine the key issues reshaping the economic landscape amid the gradual global economic recovery and shed light on how industries can realise sustainable and inclusive development through impactful venture capital and business strategies. In addition, three pre-eminent speakers will impart their wisdom on key issues such as climate and sustainability, the global economy, and innovation and technology.

The keynote speakers are Mark Carney, United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, who has served as Governor of both the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada. He is considered one of the most prominent central bank officials today and is widely recognised in the world of economics and finance. Speaking on the first day of AFF, he will examine the topic of achieving emission reduction targets through investment.

The second leading central banker is Jean-Claude Trichet, Former President of the European Central Bank, who enjoys a stellar reputation in the world of international finance. On the first day of AFF, he will analyse the global economic landscape and examine developments and reform directions in the financial sector.

The third keynote speaker is Brett King, Founder of the world’s first cardless mobile bank, Moven Bank, and also a bestselling author on financial innovation and the future of banking who has become known as the “Godfather of Fintech”. Mr King will share insights on the future of fintech and innovation on the second day of AFF.

This year’s AFF will feature more than 50 sessions. Echoing the event theme, panel discussions at the main forum will spotlight four of the world’s hottest topics including environmental, social and governance (ESG); the global economic outlook; sustainable asset and wealth management; and innovating insurance to combat climate change. Speakers will identify investment opportunities and challenges for sustainable business growth and help industry players capture first-mover advantage in these four areas.

Prominent regulators and heavyweight business and financial leaders who will speak on AFF panels include: Paul M Achleitner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Deutsche Bank AG; Ammar Al Khudairy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Saudi National Bank; Sir Douglas Flint, Chairman, abrdn; Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, CEO, Sintesa Group; Saker Nusseibeh, CEO, International, Federated Hermes; Tony O Elumelu, Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation; and Andrew Erickson, Chief Productivity Officer, Head of International Business, State Street Corp.

Thematic workshops will feature industry elites who will discuss the hottest market trends, such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, philanthropy, family office, digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFT).

In addition, the acclaimed “Dialogues for Tomorrow” series will return at AFF 2022. This year, an array of industry experts and entrepreneurs will outline the roadmap for innovation and future breakthroughs in a range of pillar sectors, including fintech, banking, insurance, energy, food and agritech, property and healthcare. Their discussions will help industry professionals navigate the business landscape and enhance their competitiveness.

Speakers at this series will include: Xavier Denoly, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Development, Schneider Electric; Elizabeth Kok, Director & Senior Advisor, Swire Properties Limited; Ryan Fung, Chief Executive, Ping An OneConnect Bank; Andrew Wong, Chief Health Officer, Prudential Corporation Asia; Varun Deshpande, Managing Director, India, The Good Food Institute; Catalina Secreteanu, Executive Director, Sustainalytics (a Morningstar company); and Mary Huen, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited.

Amid fervent demand for investment opportunities, this year’s AFF Deal Flow Matchmaking Session, jointly organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, will be extended to three days (10-12 January).

The objective is to facilitate collaboration between project owners, start-ups, potential business partners and investors. The sessions will be held in a hybrid format on Day 1 (10 January) to enable participants to meet face to face to build trust and enable collaboration opportunities. On the remaining two days (11 and 12 January), the matchmaking meetings will continue virtually to help maintain momentum and allow participants to continue making connections without geographical limitations.

Among the investment projects covered will be deep tech, digital technology and media, healthtech, education, infrastructure and real estate services. For the first time, a brand-new function for identifying ESG-integrated projects will be introduced in the Deal Flow Session for interested investors to understand more about this subject area.