Message from the CEO
As Hong Kong continues its journey back to normalcy, the AoF had a busy Q2 putting together a wide range of activities catering to the needs of different Members and stakeholders.
Our Distinguished Speakers Series featuring top global leaders is a key element of the AoF’s portfolio of activities. We had Julia Leung, CEO of SFC and Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase speaking to us in Q2. Richard Clarida, Global Economic Advisor of PIMCO and former Fed Vice Chair will be speaking to us in July.
I have highlighted in past newsletters that as the AoF builds up its brand and reputation as a premier institution that fosters dialogue on high level, macro issues, we have been approached increasingly by other institutions for collaboration. In April, we co-organised with the Civil Service College a Seminar on the latest developments and prospects of China’s economy. And following the two events that we co-organised with the IMF in Q1 this year, three more were held in Q2, all of which were very well attended. In May, we supported an event organised by the International Finance Forum (IFF) and hosted by the HKMA. This IFF Hong Kong event featured 2 former presidents and 1 former prime minister from South Korea, Brazil and New Zealand, as well as other prominent speakers, and focused on the discussion of some of the most important geopolitical and economic issues of the day. Many of these events were covered by the media, both locally and globally.
The AoF organised in Q2 two events focusing on substantive finance-related issues, one on the legal, regulatory and enforcement trends in a number of timely and important areas such as antitrust, privacy, data security, AI and sanctions, and another on developments related to GFANZ and green finance.
The 2023 Financial Leaders Programme started with a Welcome Session cum Dinner on 29 March and by now the Programme participants have already had 12 sessions of interactive dialogues with local and overseas distinguished leaders. Like last year, the Programme has been very well received by both participants and speakers.
On the research front, the HKIMR presented the results of its latest report on payments and settlements systems in the Greater Bay Area at an event jointly organised by the Chinese Banking Association of Hong Kong and Deloitte. This is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen dissemination of our applied research work. A number of research reports are in the pipeline and new reports will be published soon on topics related to financial innovation and digitalisation, and the development of talent in the financial services industry.
This is my last CEO message as my contract with the AoF will end in mid-July. Please join me in welcoming Enoch Fung who will be our next CEO. The AoF is now four years old and it has grown from a nascent being to a reputable organisation with remarkable achievements and increasing brand recognition. I am honoured to have taken part in the AoF’s amazing journey of building an excellent foundation for its future development, and I am most thankful for the support of the AoF and HKIMR Boards, Fellows, Advisers, Members and Friends over the years. And I trust that under Enoch’s leadership, the Academy will scale new heights!
Kwok-chuen Kwok
CEO, Hong Kong Academy of Finance
June 2023