HK Advisory Council on AIDS endorses and commends DH's one-stop sexual health service for integrated approach to preventing multiple diseases and for addressing sexual minorities' diverse needs
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS:
The Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS (ACA) held a meeting today (June 23) to receive a briefing from the Department of Health (DH) on the latest developments in global HIV/AIDS strategies, and to discuss ways to further enhance HIV prevention and control measures in Hong Kong. The ACA endorses and commends the one-stop sexual health service provided by the DH for effectively addressing the diverse needs of sexual minorities.
At the meeting, the DH introduced the "The Global AIDS Strategy for 2026–2031: United towards ending AIDS" released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in February this year. The strategy sets the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat globally by 2030, while establishing a sustainable long-term response for addressing HIV/AIDS. The DH noted that the strategic directions are highly aligned with Hong Kong's current HIV prevention and control strategy (Recommended HIV/AIDS Strategies for Hong Kong 2022-2027) and measures. DH will further study the strategy as a reference for formulating the next recommended HIV/AIDS strategy for Hong Kong, with a view to continuously strengthening local prevention and control efforts.
The DH also briefed the ACA on the comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention services delivered by three programmes at Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (YMTITC) under Special Preventive Programme, as well as reported on their service scope and effectiveness. The three programmes include the AIDS Counselling and Testing Service, the Therapeutic Prevention Clinic and The Commons. With reference to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, and adopting a people-centric approach, the DH established The Commons at YMTITC in February 2024, to provide one-stop HIV and viral hepatitis screening, sexual health assessment, and testing and treatment for individual sexually transmitted infections. The Commons also proactively identifies individuals with risk behaviours or those in need to offer them counselling services, and works closely with social welfare organisations to maximise disease prevention efforts under the primary healthcare framework.
Having operated for around two years with over 2 000 service attendance, a number which continues to grow, The Commons is well-received and supported by its service users. Over 98 per cent of service users have, through The Commons, developed the habit of undergoing regular assessment and screening of sexually transmitted infections, which helps strengthen early case identification and intervention and enhances overall prevention and control effectiveness.
All ACA members recognised the remarkable results of The Commons in achieving the objective of integrated prevention, screening and care for multiple conditions, which helps to provide more tailored and accessible comprehensive preventive services for individuals at higher risk of infection.
Since its establishment in 1990, the ACA has been keeping in view local and international trends and developments relating to HIV infection and AIDS. It has also played a pivotal role in advising the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on policies relating to the prevention, care and control of HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong. The ACA has published six sets of recommended HIV/AIDS strategies which have served as blueprints for the HIV response in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS (ACA) held a meeting today (June 23) to receive a briefing from the Department of Health (DH) on the latest developments in global HIV/AIDS strategies, and to discuss ways to further enhance HIV prevention and control measures in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Chairperson of the ACA, Dr Ho King-Man (front row, centre), the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (front row, third right), the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of Public Health Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Bonnie Wong and ACA committee members. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) led its first New Energy and Sustainability Mission to the United Kingdom (UK) from June 16 to 24 (London time), co-organised with the UK's Department for Business and Trade, to champion Hong Kong as the premier launch pad for Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland green tech companies going global, while attracting UK clean tech firms and investors to the city.
Led by the Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech and Sustainability of InvestHK, Mr King Leung, and accompanied by the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship of InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, the delegation represented the full breadth of Hong Kong's new energy and green tech ecosystem, bringing together 25 companies - spanning listed, pre-IPO (initial public offering) and start-up businesses alongside active investors. Backed by two ecosystem partners, namely the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, this assembly brought together deep expertise across areas such as battery and energy storage, renewable energy and hydrogen, smart electric vehicle infrastructure, new materials and AI. The Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO), Miss Fiona Chau, also participated in part of the delegation's visit.
In Scotland, delegates explored the UK's energy transition at scale, with the itinerary deliberately tracing the journey from heavy industry decarbonisation to next-generation clean energy. Visits to major green industrial clusters and Forth Green Freeport sites in the Edinburgh and Aberdeen areas - the heart of the UK's pivot from North Sea oil and gas to clean energy and hydrogen - offered a live case study in cluster reinvention potentially relevant to Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), while engagements with the representatives from the University of Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council opened strategic dialogues on offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture.
The delegation timed its London leg to coincide with London Climate Action Week, one of the largest gatherings of its kind globally and a magnet for the policymakers, investors and innovators shaping the net-zero agenda. At Reset Connect London - the UK's premier sustainability and green investment event - representatives from four companies scaling operations across bilateral markets took to the stage to profile Hong Kong's green tech credentials and their own solutions before an international audience of capital allocators. These companies and investors are now planning to scale up their investments and project rollouts in both Hong Kong and the UK. The delegation also attended the Octopus Energy Tech Summit and met with their China market representatives to explore collaboration.
InvestHK also cohosted networking receptions in Edinburgh and London on June 19 and 23 respectively, alongside the London ETO. Attended by delegates, local partners, and industry stakeholders, these initiatives aimed to turn the connections built during the tour into practical and productive opportunities.
Mr Leung said, "As both economies pivot toward net zero, the synergistic alignment between Hong Kong and the UK has never been clearer. Hong Kong and London are the world's pre-eminent green finance centre, and Hong Kong is Asia's ultimate 'super connector', uniquely bridging the Chinese Mainland green tech enterprises with global markets under the 'one country, two systems' framework. This mission is the practical infrastructure of that bridge, connecting patient capital, technology partners and corporate buyers to drive real commercial outcomes, and demonstrating how Hong Kong serves as the launch pad for companies scaling into the US$2 trillion GBA and the wider region."
The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the InvestHK London Office, Ms Daisy Ip, added, "This mission highlights InvestHK's evolving role, from attracting capital, talent and standards into Hong Kong to actively supporting companies as they go global. Our delegates raised their profile alongside the InvestHK team at the UK's leading sustainability forums, while UK clean tech firms, investors and research institutions saw first-hand the strength of Hong Kong's green finance and innovation ecosystem. Through InvestHK's extensive global network, we are committed to facilitating these two-way opportunities."
The Director General for Trade and Investment, British Consulate General Hong Kong, Mr Chris Woodward, said, "Few partnerships are as complementary as the UK and Hong Kong on the net-zero transition. Britain's strengths in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture are matched by Hong Kong's unrivalled ability to mobilise capital and open doors across the GBA and Asia. That is what makes this delegation so valuable. It puts UK clean tech firms, investors and researchers directly in front of the companies and capital that can scale British innovation regionally. We were delighted to cohost a mission that turns shared climate ambition into tangible commercial outcomes."
The Director of Europe at RelyEZ, Ms Michelle Cross, said, "As a global integrated energy service provider spanning project development, proprietary R&D (research and development), and equipment manufacturing, the company has deployed over 200 global projects worldwide, with a total storage capacity of 13 GWh to date. We see Hong Kong as the natural bridge between Chinese energy-storage capabilities and international markets. We are building the city into our global financing headquarters and the platform through which international capital can access high-quality energy transition assets worldwide - drawing on its capital markets, professional expertise and connectivity to the GBA. This mission demonstrates how that ecosystem can connect directly with UK and European partners, capital and policymakers to turn shared ambition into lasting partnerships."
InvestHK remains at the forefront of cementing Hong Kong's status as Asia's pre-eminent hub for green technology and sustainable finance. By driving targeted initiatives like the Energy and Sustainability Mission, the department acts as a critical catalyst, connecting UK clean tech innovators, investors, and research institutions into Hong Kong's dynamic ecosystem, while empowering Mainland and local enterprises to scale globally. Backed by a robust financial architecture, world-class universities for R&Ds and professional services, and seamless connectivity to the US$2 trillion GBA and broader Asian markets, Hong Kong continues to reinforce its position as a unique launch pad for cross-border sustainability collaboration and commercial growth.
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
