Speech by USCST at opening ceremony of "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference"
Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, at the opening ceremony of the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference" today (September 3):
Roger (Chairman of the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), Mr Roger Chan), Sunny (Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Legislative Council (Textiles and Garment), Mr Sunny Tan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you at the International Conference of the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026" today. I extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished speakers from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, who have come from afar to share their insights at this annual event.
Since its inaugural edition in 2017, the "Fashion Summit (HK)" has received strong support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
It is truly encouraging to see how this conference has gone from strength to strength over the years, having expanded not only in scale, but also in influence and international standing. Today, the "Fashion Summit (HK)" has become a leading platform where industry leaders, innovators and designers come together to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and advance sustainable fashion.
This year's theme, "Code the Fashion Forward", is both timely and thought provoking. The Fashion industry has entered into a new era shaped by technology including the growing use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Technology should not only drive business growth, but also help the industry move forward with greater sustainability. In other words, the future of fashion should be smarter, as well as greener.
Digital transformation is undoubtedly reshaping the industry. Yet, in the heart of fashion, the most crucial components remain deeply human, namely, creativity, craftmanship and storytelling. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned in the way where innovation and tradition do not compete, but complement each other instead.
This spirit of blending tradition with innovation is reflected in today's lineup: across six panel discussions, speakers will explore how data, technology and creative media are transforming the fashion industry. They will share insights on topics ranging from agile consumer models and AI-enabled green retail strategies to the enduring legacy of sartorial tailoring, as well as the growing influence of fashion storytelling from screen to wardrobe. Together, these conversations will show that the possibilities ahead are so wide ranging and full of promises.
The "Fashion Summit (HK)" is once again one of the flagship programmes of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest presented by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR this year. With the vision of strengthening Hong Kong's position as a fashion design hub in Asia, the Fashion Fest brings together leading names from the global fashion industry through an array of programmes. It fosters collaboration, sparks creativity and opens doors to new opportunities. A wide range of events of the Fashion Fest are happening across the city till September 14, I encourage you all to experience Hong Kong's dynamic fashion scene firsthand.
Today's conference aside, CITA is also hosting the "Fashion Summit (HK)" exhibition at Jardine House in Central and "Wear's HK" which showcases the collections of 20 talented local fashion designers in six pop-up stores across the city. I sincerely invite you all to visit these stores, to experience the creativity and energy of our city, and to show your support to our local young fashion designers by making purchases on-site.
Before I close, I would like to congratulate CITA on organising yet another very successful edition of the "Fashion Summit (HK)", and thank all our speakers in advance for contributing their valuable insights. I am confident that today's conference will generate fresh ideas, deepen collaboration, and help shape a more innovative and sustainable future for fashion.
I wish the conference every success. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
Recruitment under Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth Phase 10 starts
The Government today (September 3) started recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) Phase 10. The application period will close on October 5, 2026.
A spokesman for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) said, "The MSSY is one of the key initiatives for youth development as set out in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint. To engage more young people in public affairs and enhance their interaction with and trust in the Government, action has been taken to expand the MSSY, with a view to increasing the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no less than 180 within the current term of the Government. This target will be achieved with the implementation of the MSSY Phase 10. At present, about 680 posts are held by young people who have been appointed to various advisory and statutory bodies of the Government, directly or indirectly, through the MSSY. The overall ratio of youth members in these bodies has increased from 7.8 per cent in end-2017 to 15.5 per cent in mid-2026."
The MSSY has received an enthusiastic response since its launch. From the Pilot Scheme to Phase 9 of the MSSY, a total of over 16 000 applications have been received. The list of appointees has been uploaded to the website of the HYAB.
The MSSY Phase 10 covers advisory committees on a wide spectrum of policy areas, including the District Youth Community Building Committees and the District Youth Development and Civic Education Committees in the 18 districts established by the Home Affairs Department. The participating committees for the MSSY Phase 10 are listed below:
- District Youth Community Building Committees in 18 districts
- District Youth Development and Civic Education Committees in 18 districts
- Appeal Board (Amusement Game Centres)
- Chinese Language Interface Advisory Committee
- Business Facilitation Advisory Committee
- Consultation Panel of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
- Community Involvement Committee on Greening
- Community Sports Committee
- Vehicle Maintenance Technical Advisory Committee
- Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food
- Commercial Properties Committee under the Hong Kong Housing Authority
- Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony
- Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification
- Committee on Home-School Co-operation
- Family Council
- Committee on Digital Economy and Information Technology under the Consumer Council
- Health Promoting School Advisory Committee
- EatSmart@school.hk Campaign Steering Committee
- Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training and Qualifications Framework
- Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries External Affairs Committee
- Committee on Employment Services of the Labour Advisory Board
- Art Sub-committee, Museum Advisory Committee
- Betting and Lotteries Commission
- Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
- Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations of the ICAC
- Action Committee Against Narcotics
- Grantham Scholarships Fund Committee
- Banking Industry Training Advisory Committee under the Qualifications Framework
- Green Technology and Finance Development Committee
- Advisory Committee on Mental Health
- Fight Crime Committee
- Steering Committee on eHealth
- Quality Education Fund Dissemination and Promotion Sub-committee
"We encourage young people who have a commitment to serving the community to apply for the MSSY Phase 10. Applicants for the District Youth Community Building Committees and the District Youth Development and Civil Education Committees must be aged between 16 and 35 on October 5, i.e. the date of the application deadline, and applicants for the other advisory committees must be aged between 18 and 35," the spokesman continued.
The HYAB is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MSSY. Respective assessment panels (APs) will be formed under the participating committees to handle the applications and conduct interviews. The APs will consider whether the applicant has a strong commitment to serving the community, a good understanding of the policy area concerned, and good analytical and communication skills.
Following the principle of meritocracy, the Government aims to, through the MSSY, recruit young people who have the commitment to serving the community and the ability to contribute to the committees concerned, for recommending to the relevant bureaux/departments for consideration of appointment. In general, each participating advisory committee will offer two seats for appointment. As regards the District Youth Community Building Committees and the District Youth Development and Civil Education Committees in 18 districts, they will offer over 300 seats in total. Subject to the actual number of applications received and assessment progress, recruitment assessment is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.
The application form and other details of the MSSY Phase 10 are available on the website of the HYAB (www.hyab.gov.hk). When completing the application form, applicants are required to write no more than 600 words or provide a video or audio clip of no longer than three minutes to account for, in either Chinese or English, their suitability for being appointed as a member of the selected committee(s). Applications may be submitted through the online application system, by post or in person.
Source: AI-found images
