The 21st Eco Expo Asia 2026 opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, bringing together more than 340 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions under the theme "Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future." Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the four-day event (26–29 October) serves as a platform for showcasing global green technologies and fostering cross-regional collaboration.
The significance of this year's Expo lies in its timing and scope. With Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the latest Policy Address both prioritising green transformation, the event underscores the city's ambition to build a green and liveable city while injecting momentum into the green sector. HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong noted that international participation has grown, with Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam joining for the first time. "Through the Expo, we hope to harness Hong Kong's strengths as an international business centre and smart green technology hub, promoting cross-region collaboration and enabling enterprises to enter new markets and unlock fresh opportunities," Chong said.
The Expo also aligns with national decarbonisation policies. Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, highlighted that the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR's first Five-Year Plan proactively align with national development strategies, with green transformation as a key direction. "Hong Kong will continue to leverage its roles of 'super connector' and a 'super value-adder' to foster regional and international green cooperation," he said. For the first time, the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly organise the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong on 26 October, running concurrently with the Expo to maximise synergy.
The Expo features 18 pavilions, including the new ASEAN Pavilion that brings together seven ASEAN countries with 12 green technology ventures presenting solutions in water treatment, circular economy, green finance and ESG services. The HKSAR Government booth introduces a comprehensive experience zone for green technology organised around four themes, including "Green Flat," which demonstrates sustainable living concepts using green building technologies and materials. Additionally, the HKTDC has set up a GoGlobal Connect Zone for the first time to support Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises in reaching international markets through Hong Kong's professional services, leveraging the city's role as a member of the "GoGlobal Task Force."
Over 80 government, industry and academic leaders will speak across more than 30 forums and thematic sessions. The flagship Eco Asia Conference explores green development from multiple perspectives, including policy, technology, green finance and green building. A session today featured Prof Su Hui from HKUST, who led the development of the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), installed on China's Tiangong Space Station this year. The event also includes the 7th Hydrogen Economy Forum on 28 October and a Public Day on 29 October with free admission to deepen public understanding of sustainability.
For those interested in attending, details on travel to the fairground are available at https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en/travel-to-fairground-awe, and the full programme can be found on the Eco Expo Asia website. The HKTDC, celebrating its 60th anniversary, continues to promote Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through international exhibitions and conferences. Messe Frankfurt, the world's largest trade fair organiser, emphasises sustainability as a central pillar of its corporate strategy, as detailed at www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability.
