A delegation from the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”) – a charitable organisationestablished by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust in September 2023 – participated in programmes surrounding the 77th World Health Assembly being heldfrom 26 May to 1 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Assembly is thehighest body for setting global health policy and the forum through which the WorldHealth Organization (“WHO”) is governed by its 194 member states.
The IoP delegation took part in the launch of Investment Round – a new mechanism tomobilise sustainable financing for the WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work,2025-2028. Under the theme “All for Health, Health for All”, the launch wasannounced by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World HealthOrganization. It convened high-level representatives from member states, internationalorganisations and philanthropic foundations.
At the launch, the IoP announced its donation of a first tranche of US$1.23 million(HK$9.6 million) to support WHO efforts to safeguard the health of migrant anddisplaced populations affected by climate change. This collaboration underscores theIoP’s commitment to address global health challenges in the context of climate change.
Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and Executive Director,Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, speaks at the launch of the World Health Organization’s Investment Round.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and CEO ofThe Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the donation was a milestone for the IoP as the firstproject it has supported led by a United Nations specialised agency. Through thisdonation, the IoP is aiming to help address the critical issue of health arising fromclimate change in keeping with its mission to support globally impactful projects.
The IoP’s donation to the WHO was announced by Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of theInstitute of Philanthropy and Executive Director, Charities and Community of TheHong Kong Jockey Club, at the Investment Round launch.
The IoP also partnered the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to co-sponsor a side eventon pandemic preparedness in support of the Global Health Emergency Corps (“GHEC”).The GHEC was launched by the WHO and its partners at the 76th World HealthAssembly in May 2023 to strengthen collaboration and emergency response levelsacross countries and health networks.
Dr Christopher Elias, President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation (centre), and Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropyand Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club(right), speak at a side event co-sponsored by the foundation and the IoP.
Dr Michael Ryan, Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization,delivered opening remarks at the side event, while Dr Leung and Dr Christopher Elias,President, Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, both deliveredaddresses. Attendees included members of national delegations, representatives ofmultilateral organisations and philanthropic foundations.
Throughout the duration of the Assembly, the IoP delegation held a series of bilateralmeetings with the Deputy Director-General, Assistant Directors-General and othersenior WHO leadership to exchange views on global health issues of common concern.
In recognition of the need for multilateral co-operation to safeguard global health andaddress the health impact of climate change, the IoP has undertaken the following steps:
• Signed a formal Statement of Collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation onthe occasion of the first-ever Health Day at COP28 to strengthen global healthresilience to climate change.
• Is collaborating with the National Health Commission to enhance humanresources for health and develop top medical and health-care talent in China.
• Is supporting the University of Cambridge’s Trinity Challenge on AntimicrobialResistance, which promotes collaboration and innovation in addressing thehealth needs of low- and middle-income jurisdictions that lack community-leveldata on antimicrobial resistance.
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places.
The dinner brought together over a hundred guests, including local leaders from the political, business, innovation and technology, and academic sectors, as well as executives and representatives from various related sectors, institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong, providing a platform for exchanges, broader connections and exploration of more co-operation opportunities between the two places. Prominent guests attending the dinner included Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Mr Renat Bekturov; President of Nazarbayev University, Professor Waqar Ahmad; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the technology and innovation park – Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Su Yu.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan said that the Chief Executive led a delegation to visit Central Asia in June this year, advancing the hub-to-hub co-operation model, which has established a solid foundation for co-operation and opened up broader space for collaboration between the two places. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world, Hong Kong is the best platform for Central Asian enterprises to enter the Chinese Mainland and expand their businesses across Asia.
"Kazakhstan is pressing ahead at full speed with its digital transformation and infrastructure development, which dovetails deeply with Hong Kong's unique strengths in finance, investment, innovation and technology, infrastructure, and professional services. As important hubs in their respective regions, the two places can generate synergy through co-operation, achieving a true hub-to-hub partnership – connecting Central Asia with the Chinese Mainland, Asia, and global markets," said Mr Chan.
A representative from Invest Hong Kong also introduced to local guests at the dinner Hong Kong's various business advantages as an international financial centre, its vibrant business environment, and the investment opportunities in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Chan later attended China Conference: Central Asia 2026 and the ninth Astana Finance Days, exchanging views with executives and professionals from the finance, investment, technology, and other sectors in Central Asia and around the world. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a video speech at the annual conference, and Dubai ETO was also a supporting partner of the conference.
During their stay in Astana, Dubai ETO officers held bilateral meetings with multiple government authorities and key institutions of Kazakhstan to strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with the country. Mr Chan met with Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, to explore co-operation opportunities in the digital economy and innovation ecosystem. Astana Hub is the largest international technology park in Central Asia and has signed memoranda of understanding with several major innovation and technology parks in Hong Kong. He also visited AIFC, where he exchanged views with Chief of Staff, Ms Dinara Zhakupova, on strengthening financial connectivity and co-operation between the two places.
In addition, Mr Chan paid courtesy calls on the economic and foreign trade departments of the Kazakh government, including Director of the Department of International Economic Co-operation of the Ministry of National Economy, Mr Yerzhan Nessibkulov and Deputy General Director of the QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Dr Ainur Amirbekova, to discuss expanding economic and trade co-operation. Apart from official institutions, Mr Chan also met with Chief Financial Officer of the Air Astana Group, Mr Gonçalo Pires, to jointly explore the possibilities of co-operation between the two places.
Dubai ETO officers also visited Nazarbayev University which jointly offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (Eurasian Business Management) programme with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The first cohort of students commenced their studies at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business in late August this year. They will study at the university for the first two years before transferring to HKUST to complete the programme. Mr Chan met and exchanged views with the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr Tom Vinaimont, and the new students enrolled in the programme, learning about their studies and daily life in Kazakhstan and briefing them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. He wished them success in their studies in both places and expressed hope that they would make contributions to exchanges between Hong Kong and Central Asia in the future.
Source: AI-found images
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
