The second Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit is less than a month away.  We expect up to 300 leaders attending the Summit, including more than 90 group chairmen or CEOs from the world’s top financial institutions, representing banks, securities firms, asset owners, asset managers, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds and insurers.

This year's Summit will comprise the main summit on 7 November, and on the next day the investment forum jointly organised by the HKMA, the Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Academy of Finance.  Under the theme “Living with Complexity”, industry leaders will examine during the main summit the trends and changes that have far-reaching implications on the financial industry: the macroeconomic challenges stemming from weakening global growth, uncertain inflation path and tightening financial conditions; the latest industry developments and disruptions, and the investment strategies to capitalise on them; the opportunities and challenges arising from the mega themes of the China story, technology and sustainable development.  We have also invited Mainland financial regulators to share their insights about China's economy and policy thinking.

Extending the discussions at the main summit, the “Conversations with Global Investors” investment forum on 8 November will gather the world’s leading investors to share thoughts on investment strategies, asset allocation and structural issues that are shaping investment in the long run, such as demographic changes, geopolitical developments, ESG objectives and technological innovation.

The Summit next month would be more than just a sequel, although there are certain elements from last year's Summit that we will retain. It will be a physical event, so that our guests can see for themselves Hong Kong's vibrancy and can take the opportunity to meet their staff and clients in person, and establish new relationships.  The speakers at the main summit and investment forum are leaders and experts in their fields, and the discourse promises to be insightful and thought-provoking.  We will also maintain our hospitality and show our guests the best of Hong Kong – we are hosting the Welcome Dinner at the Hong Kong Palace Museum this year, offering an opportunity to savour China’s cultural and culinary heritage and Hong Kong’s unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures.

In addition to the Summit, for the rest of this year the HKMA will be co-hosting the Hong Kong FinTech Week starting on 30 October and the HKMA-BIS High-Level Conference on 27-28 November.  Altogether these events will add more excitement to Hong Kong's already bustling 2023.  With this year being the HKMA’s 30^th anniversary, we hope to offer a chance for all of us to look back and appreciate how much we – the HKMA and Hong Kong’s financial sector – have accomplished over the past three decades, and the promises that lie ahead.

The final preparations for the Summit are in full swing.Meanwhile, I look forward to welcoming our guests from all over the world and sharing thoughts on how collectively we can live and move on in a world of complexity.