Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Highlights Green Initiatives at 59th Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting in Uzbekistan

SFST attends Business Session of 59th Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting in Uzbekistan

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Governors' Business Session of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time).

The Governors' Business Session discussed matters related to the business and operations of the ADB. Mr Hui said at the meeting that Hong Kong, as a leading international financial centre and harnessing its unique advantages of connectivity with the Mainland and the world under "one country, two systems", is well equipped to contribute to translating ADB members' shared ambitions into action. One area is in green and sustainability, where Hong Kong's financial ecosystem can help direct capital towards projects with positive social and environmental impact. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and increasing global demand for gold, Hong Kong is now striving to develop a world-class international gold trading market and actively exploring open dialogues with various countries across the region to build a more connected, efficient and innovative gold ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for the region.

On the day, Mr Hui also attended the opening session and a lunch for Governors of the Annual Meeting, as well as a reception and gala dinner organised by Uzbekistan, the host country of the Annual Meeting.

In addition, Mr Hui met with the Public Debt Advisor of the Public Debt Management Office, Thailand, Ms Supak Chaiyawan. He introduced to her the strength of Hong Kong's world-class financial and professional services, which can support Thailand in fundraising and capital diversification.

On May 5 (Samarkand time), Mr Hui will attend the Governors' Plenary at the ADB Annual Meeting and meet with financial officials of other countries.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second left) and Public Debt Advisor of the Public Debt Management Office, Thailand, Ms Supak Chaiyawan (second right). Next to Mr Hui is the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the opening session of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second row, seventh right) with the President of Uzbekistan, Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev (first row, centre), the President of the ADB, Mr Masato Kanda (first row, eighth left), and governors of other countries at the opening session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Photo shows Mr Hui (right) with the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (left), during a reception and gala dinner organised by Uzbekistan, the host country of the Annual Meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (right), attended the opening session of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Next to Mr Hui is the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Photo shows Mr Hui speaking at the Governors' Business Session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Governors' Business Session in the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD strengthens enforcement, publicity and education to stringently combat dripping air conditioners

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (May 5) that with the frequent use of air conditioners in summer, the environmental hygiene nuisances caused by dripping air conditioners are expected to be more notable, affecting pedestrians and waiting transit passengers in particular. To this end, the FEHD will carry out large-scale operations from May to September to tackle dripping air conditioners. Targeting more than 300 dripping blackspots across the territory, the third-generation AI Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System will be deployed to step up enforcement with a targeted strategy, focusing specifically on reducing nuisances to pedestrians and waiting passengers. The operations aim to further enhance enforcement effectiveness and improve environmental hygiene.

The FEHD will fully adopt the third-generation Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System with AI functions in all districts from this summer. Equipped with high-precision visual image recognition technology, the system can automatically detect dripping locations and accurately identify sources, significantly shortening the time required for observation and evidence collection. It can operate effectively despite low-light conditions during night-time or early morning hours, overcoming the constraints on enforcement posed by the difficulties of pinpointing dripping sources during specific hours. The system's innovative technology is recognised internationally and has earned it the Bronze Award in the category of Engineering and Robotics - Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026 this April.

In preparation for the upcoming summer, the FEHD has proactively escalated publicity and education efforts to enhance public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility regarding dripping air conditioners. Over the past two weeks (April 16 to 30), FEHD officers conducted a series of publicity activities across various districts, including closely liaising with District Offices, District Councils (DCs), and local committees to encourage the public to face and follow up on the problem of dripping air conditioners through community networks, and the participation of various DCs and district organisations in related publicity activities and work. The FEHD also actively collaborated with property management companies to facilitate the distribution of promotional leaflets and the display of posters in building premises and housing estates. Additionally, the FEHD set up promotional booths at popular public spots and on streets with high pedestrian flows to promote public knowledge of proper air conditioner maintenance and preventive measures against dripping, and to urge property owners to proactively and promptly check and repair their air conditioners. Throughout the period, about 15 000 related leaflets and posters were distributed across about 390 buildings and housing estates. The department will continuously disseminate practical information on preventing dripping air conditioners to the general public through online platforms and thematic webpages.

The spokesman stressed that, in accordance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), a person shall be guilty of an offence if he allows his air conditioner to discharge water in such a manner as to be a hygiene nuisance to others. If a nuisance is proven, the FEHD will issue a Nuisance Notice to require the owner or occupier of the relevant premises to stop the nuisance within a specified period. A person who fails to comply may be prosecuted and, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $25,000, and a daily fine of $450 as long as the nuisance continues.

The FEHD calls on members of the public to check their air conditioners regularly. If water dripping is detected, they should expeditiously resolve the problem to avoid causing a nuisance to others. For more information on dripping air conditioners, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).

FEHD strengthens enforcement, publicity and education to stringently combat dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases