More than 3,600 financial and business heavyweights from around the world will gather in Hong Kong to attend the 18th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) on Jan 13 to14 to explore global investment trends, challenges and opportunities.

Themed “Powering the Next Growth Engine”, the region’s first major international business gathering in 2025 will focus on analyzing business growth points, artificial intelligence (AI), the establishment of family offices, green and sustainable development, and Islamic finance, with the aims of stimulating growth momentum and promoting global cooperation amid a shifting global economic landscape.

“The upcoming Asian Financial Forum is the perfect occasion for us to showcase the latest advantages of Hong Kong in the financial realm, following the reforms and innovation in the city last year,” Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu said at a press conference on Tuesday.

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As a bridge between the Chinese mainland and international markets, Hong Kong strives to drive growth for all sides, said Luanne Lim, chairperson of the AFF steering committee and chief executive officer, Hong Kong, at HSBC.

Highlighting the city's pivotal role in supporting Chinese mainland enterprises that are expanding globally, this year’s AFF will focus on high-potential markets such as those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Lim added.

At the AFF, more than 100 global business leaders and policymakers will share their insights and opinions, including Justin Lin Yifu, former chief economist and senior vice-president of the World Bank; Stuart Russell, co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on AI; Li Kaifu, chairman of Sinovation Ventures; and Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba.

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The AFF will also feature “AFF deal-making” — a dynamic component with one-on-one matching services for project owners and investors. More than 270 investors and 560 projects are expected to participate, with investment opportunities across a wide range of fields. “Many deals are expected to be made on-site,” said Patrick Lau, deputy executive director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

Contact the writer at thor_wu@chinadailyhk.com