Opening speech by SEE at APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Beijing
Following is the opening speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing today (September 10):
Thank you, Chair.
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the National Energy Administration of China, for hosting the 16th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, and for the hospitality.
Sustainability and prosperity can, and must, complement each other. To achieve both, we need to join forces and embrace innovative solutions.
Hong Kong, China is fully aligned with APEC’s goals to reduce APEC’s aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035 against the 2005 level; and to double the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 compared to 2010. With concerted efforts of our community, as of 2023, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has already decreased by around 35 per cent from 2005.
Our carbon emissions peaked in 2014 and have already dropped by about a quarter. With a per capita carbon emission of around 4.41 tonnes in 2024, Hong Kong, China compares well with our counterparts among the more advanced economies. Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions by half before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
Hong Kong, China continues to be the freest economy in the world, and a trusted common law jurisdiction. As an international financial centre, we are well positioned to promote green financing. The volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong, China amounted to around US$38 billion in 2025, ranking first in the Asian market for eight consecutive years.
As a global premier destination for hosting world-class mega-events, Hong Kong, China continually brings people together. Just earlier this week, we launched our third "Hong Kong Green Week" which is our flagship sustainability event to offer a platform to drive dialogues and collaborations on multiple issues ranging from climate resilience, green technology to green trade. And before long we will host another flagship event in October, the 21st Eco Expo Asia, which aims to bring global industry leaders and government representatives together to share, collaborate and innovate. Therefore, I would warmly invite all of you to visit our city and join the upcoming events this October.
Thank you, Chair.
Opening speech by SEE at APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and Nasdaq Dubai today (September 10) jointly announced the establishment of a Strategic Working Group to strengthen ties between the financial markets of Hong Kong and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The Strategic Working Group brings together regulators and exchanges in Hong Kong and DIFC to explore opportunities and develop collaborative initiatives across areas that can contribute to the continued growth and attractiveness of both markets, including sustainable finance, Islamic finance, innovation, and broader capital markets development and markets connectivity.
The announcement was made during the HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference today in Hong Kong, which attracted over 350 participants joining in-person and online across both regions.
This conference marks the third edition of the flagship partnership initiative between the HKMA and the DFSA. It has also been the second year in which HKEX and Nasdaq Dubai are supporting the conference as strategic partners.
The establishment of the Strategic Working Group reflects progress of ongoing regulatory and market dialogues, providing a more formal framework to deepen co-operation, align priorities, and support practical outcomes.
The initiative also reflects a broader commitment to deepen institutional relationships between regulators and exchanges in both financial centres, and to further develop the economic corridor between the Middle East and Asia. Through ongoing engagement and structured collaboration, participating organisations will exchange insights on market developments, discuss emerging opportunities and challenges, and explore areas for future collaboration.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "The Strategic Working Group marks another key step in deepening our institutional ties and market connectivity. By developing this collaboration mechanism, we are establishing a dedicated platform to better understand and align strategic priorities, as well as exploring new initiatives to facilitate smoother trade and investment between Asia and the Middle East."
The Chief Executive of the DFSA, Mr Mark Steward,said, "This initiative reflects the maturing of our shared commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the discovery of greater mutual benefits within the Dubai-Hong Kong corridor. Cross-market connectivity helps both markets and offers investors greater choices and rewards across both financial centres."
The Chief Executive Officer of HKEX, Ms Bonnie Chan,said, "Global capital flows are increasingly being shaped by the growing economic ties between Asia and the Middle East. As leading international financial centres at the heart of their respective regions, Hong Kong and Dubai have complementary strengths that can help facilitate the two-way flow of capital, ideas and opportunities between the two regions. HKEX's growing commodities presence in Dubai, together with our engagement with exchanges across the UAE (United Arab Emirates), reflects our long-term commitment to this dynamic corridor. The Strategic Working Group is an important next step in translating that commitment into action by deepening collaboration, advancing market connectivity and supporting innovation and sustainable growth."
The Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, MrHamed Ali,said, "This Strategic Working Group builds on the strong collaboration between Dubai and Hong Kong. Nasdaq Dubai's position as a leading international hub for fixed income and Islamic finance listings provides a strong platform to connect issuers and investors across the Middle East and Asia, particularly in Sukuk and sustainable finance. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration and enhancing market connectivity between the two regions."
About Hong Kong Green Week
The 2026 edition of Hong Kong Green Week, the city's flagship sustainability event, will take place from September 7 to 11. Themed "Future-proofing Sustainable Growth", the week-long programme will feature a variety of events and networking opportunities, bringing together diverse and practical insights across the globe to inspire and drive collective actions towards Asia's sustainable transformation. Visit www.hkgreenweek.hk for more details.
About HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference
The Conference is a flagship initiative jointly established by the HKMA and the DFSA to support and enable the continued development of climate finance acrossAsia and the Middle East. Themed "Driving Transition in a Changing World", the third edition of the conference is also a main event of theHong Kong Green Week 2026. Details of the conference can be foundhere.
HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
