Jockey Club-Supported HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute Convenes Global Leaders to Advance Sustainable Development

Established by HKU Business School with funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (“the Institute”) advances research, knowledge exchange, talent development and cross-sector collaboration in enterprise sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG). The Institute today (22 October) convened the “2026 Sustainability Forum: Global Leadership Dialogue” at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The forum brought together more than 200 leaders and experts from industry, academia and government worldwide to exchange perspectives on environmental and social challenges arising from sustainable development, and to explore practical pathways for translating expertise into viable solutions. The forum was also livestreamed, extending the discussions to audiences in Hong Kong and beyond.

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute convened the “2026 Sustainability Forum: Global Leadership Dialogue.”

Officiating at the opening ceremony was The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR; Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward; Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; and Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, among other guests. Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), was also invited to attend the event and deliver the opening keynote address.

Also delivering a speech, Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward, said: “Sustainability has become an increasingly important lens through which the Trust strives to improve livability and long-term well-being in Hong Kong, as one of its nine impact programme areas. [At today’s forum] we will learn about turning knowledge into action by deepening cross-sector partnerships, nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders and developing practical solutions that deliver lasting benefits for society.”

Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward, delivers a speech at the 2026 Sustainability Forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, said that impact investing should go beyond financial performance assessment. It should channel capital into livelihood and green sectors, such as healthcare and clean energy, so as to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth that balances social value and financial return.

The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members, Executive Council of the HKSAR, delivers a speech at the 2026 Sustainability Forum.

Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, delivered the opening keynote address. He explored how sustainability co-operation can endure in the global economy through pragmatic, self-interest-driven action that prioritises interoperability over uniformity in standards and accounting.

Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, delivers the opening keynote.

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute was established in 2024 with an approved donation of over HK$426 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Reflecting the Trust’s commitment to fostering cross-sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and talent development, the Institute brings together academia, industry and policymakers to advance sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Positioned as a knowledge hub connecting Hong Kong with Asia and the wider world, it promotes capacity building and stakeholder engagement, while supporting the translation of research and innovative ideas into practical solutions to complex environmental and societal challenges and contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term sustainable development.

As part of the initiative, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships were established, comprising four endowed professorship positions across the fields of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Accounting. By bringing distinguished international scholars to Hong Kong, the initiative strengthens research excellence, promotes knowledge exchange and helps translate academic insights into practical policy recommendations and solutions that contribute to a more livable, resilient, and sustainable society.

Attending the opening ceremony of 2026 Sustainability Forum are The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members, Executive Council of the HKSAR (centre); Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward (right); and Professor Xiang Zhang, President and ViceChancellor of the University of Hong Kong (left).

The Club’s support for the Institute, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs), launched the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme today. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for 45 months, the Programme is Hong Kong’s first fall-management initiative to combine judo-based safe landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling. It is expected to benefit around 17,000 older adults in the community aged 60 or above, helping those at moderate to high risk of falling to acquire safe landing and self-protection skills to reduce injuries.

Officiating guests at the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” were Mr Ho Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, the Government of the HKSAR(centre); Ms Pauline Chu, Chief Manager (Community Service Network) of the Primary Healthcare Commission(2nd from right); Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement)of PolyU (3rd from right); Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club(3rd from left); Prof. Marco Pang, Head of RS(2nd from left); Prof. Amy Fu, Associate Head of RS(1st from right); and the the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” Ambassador Mr Shek Sau(1st from left). Photo source: PolyU

According to statistics from the Department of Health, some 16% of older adults in Hong Kong experience at least one fall per year, with approximately one in 10 resulting in fractures. Falls can significantly affect mobility and have a long-term impact on older adults’ physical and mental well-being and quality of life. By identifying those most at risk of falling and managing those risks effectively, the Programme seeks to shift Hong Kong’s public health approach from reactive care to proactive prevention – fostering healthy, independent and active ageing.

A launch ceremony for the Programme was held on the PolyU campus today. Officiating guests were Mr Ho Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Ms Pauline Chu, Chief Manager (Community Service Network) of the Primary Healthcare Commission under the Health Bureau; Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof. Marco Pang, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) at PolyU; Prof. Amy Fu, Associate Head of RS at PolyU; and Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme Ambassador Mr Shek Sau.

Mr Shek Sau (centre) shared tips for maintaining a healthylifestyle, while Programmeinstructors demonstrated safe landing techniques. Photo source: PolyU

Participants in the Programme receive bone density screening and AI-driven fall-risk assessments developed by RS. Those found eligible are invited to join a 12-week fall preparedness training scheme jointly designed by PolyU researchers and professional judo coaches. This teaches them safe landing and body protection techniques to help reduce the force of impact and minimise the risk of fractures caused by falls. Consultations with PolyU physiotherapists are also open to participants.

Mr Ho Kai-ming said, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its generous support, and to PolyU for translating advanced knowledge in rehabilitation sciences into tangible community benefits. The Programme is named ‘SafeMove’, which signifies helping elderly persons enhance their physical flexibility and adaptability so that they can respond calmly to the risk of falling. It marks a shift in the public health paradigm from reactive care to proactive prevention, and aligns closely with the Government’s policy of promoting prevention-oriented elderly care and carer support. Through the Pilot Scheme on Intelligent Accident Detection Systems, the Government is providing high-risk households with real-time detection and support. This complements the ‘safe landing’ training under the Programme, jointly weaving a more robust safety net for elderly persons at home.”

Mr Ho Kai-mingsaid the Programme alignedclosely with theGovernment’s policy of promoting prevention-oriented elderly care and carer support. Photo source: PolyU

Dr Laura Lo remarked, “As an institution committed to addressing societal needs and enhancing community well-being through world-leading research and innovative knowledge, PolyU is proud to see the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme come to life today. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to translating research outcomes into meaningful social impact. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous support of this Programme, and to extend my sincere thanks to our five partner NGOs and the research team from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for their dedication and hard work. Together they have established a cross-sector collaboration platform that connects research, professional services and community networks for the benefit of older adults across Hong Kong.”

Dr Laura Lo said that PolyU is committed to addressing societal needs and enhancing community well-being through world-leading research and innovative knowledge. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the five partner NGOs and the research team from PolyU's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for their dedication in building cross-sector collaboration platform that connects research, professional services and community networks for the benefit of older adults across Hong Kong. Photo source: PolyU

Ms Imelda Chan added, “Promoting better health is one of the strategic priorities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Riding on our ongoing commitment to prevent falls and fractures among older adults, the Trust has approved a donation of over HK$119 million to support the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme jointly implemented by PolyU and five NGOs. As Hong Kong’s first large-scale community programme to integrate judo-based landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling, the Programme translates research evidence into innovative primary health-care services and establishes a community-based, sustainable fall management model, demonstrating the Club’s commitment to advancing impactful philanthropy and the betterment of our society.”

MsImelda Chan said,riding on its ongoing commitment to prevent falls and fractures among older adults, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of over HK$119 million to support the Programme, translating research evidence into innovative primary health-care services. This demonstrates the Club’s commitment to advancing impactful philanthropy and the betterment of our society. Photo source: PolyU

The PolyU research team anticipates that the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme will help to reduce fall-related injuries and associated health-care expenditure among participants, improve their physical functioning and mobility and alleviate the psychological and social burdens that the fear of falling can create, enhancing overall health and quality of life.

The “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” is expected to not only strengthen older adults’ fall prevention and self-protection capabilities, but also to enhance their physical resilience and adaptability. The PolyU research team anticipates that the initiative will help reduce fall-related injuries and associated healthcare expenditure, improve physical functioning and mobility, and alleviate the psychological and social burdens arising from the fear of falling, thereby enhancing overall health and quality of life.

PolyUholds the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme”. Photo source: PolyU