With Hong Kong's vision of establishing itself as a leading centre for green and sustainable finance, Friends of the Earth (HK) and the Financial Services Development Council will join the delegation led by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China at the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to early-December 2023.

During COP 28, Friends of the Earth (HK) and the Financial Services Development Council will co-host an event at the China Corner titled "Hong Kong's Drive Towards Green and Sustainable Development and Cutting-Edge Innovations" on 6 December 2023.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone as it marks the first-ever participation of non-government representatives from Hong Kong at the China Corner Side Event of COP, it highlights the city's unwavering commitment to global environmental preservation and financial sustainability. Hong Kong’s presence at COP 28 aims to draw international attention to its achievements and dedication to spearheading initiatives that promote environmental preservation and financial sustainability on a worldwide scale.

Mr Plato Yip, Chairperson of Friends of the Earth (HK), emphasized the importance of international collaboration. "Hong Kong's exceptional position within the Greater Bay Area gives us a formidable edge in becoming a global epicenter for green finance. Our shared vision is to leverage our unique location as the crossroads of East and West to forge partnerships in the MENA region. Additionally, the Voluntary Carbon Market emerges as a promising avenue for expansion, offering an exciting opportunity for us to establish a hub for voluntary carbon trading. By collaborating hand in hand with countries in the Middle East and leveraging the power of cutting-edge blockchain technology and fintech, we can unlock the vast potential and lay the foundation for the world's largest green and sustainable financial markets. Let's explore innovative strategies, share insights, and forge partnerships to transform dreams of sustainability into reality.”

Mr Daniel Fung, SBS, SC, KC, FCIArb, JP, Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council, highlighted Hong Kong’s achievements and innovations in green and sustainable finance, "We take pride in showcasing Hong Kong's remarkable progress in green and sustainable finance. Initiatives like Government Green Bonds, with a cumulative issuance of nearly US$22 billion as of July 2023, and the world's first tokenized green bond of HK$800 million using distributed ledger technology, have positioned Hong Kong as a leading center for sustainable investment. Additionally, Hong Kong continues to be the largest listing venue for Chinese offshore green bonds, accounting for 16% of China's green bond market in 2022. Our objective is to inspire and promote sustainable finance globally through our participation at COP 28. Together, we can create a greener future and highlight Hong Kong's contributions to green finance for the well-being of all.”