Philanthropy and Business Conference 2026 Marks 10th Anniversary

HONG KONG, Sept. 7, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust convened its 10th edition of the Philanthropy and Business Conference (PBC) 2026 at the West Kowloon Cultural District on September 7. The two-day event, themed “Leap for Impact,” brought together over 2,000 delegates from various sectors, including philanthropy, sports, business, government, academia, and the social sector.

“This year marks a significant milestone for the PBC, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and its role in fostering social change,” said Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. “Over the past decade, the forum has engaged more than 10,000 participants and featured over 380 speakers from over 40 countries and regions, making it one of the world’s largest philanthropic assemblies.”

Liao highlighted the forum’s focus on systems change, new approaches to capital, and the capabilities required for impactful philanthropy. He also mentioned the release of the first edition of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Impact Report, which details the Trust’s approach to impact measurement and showcases the social impact generated by the Trust’s initiatives.

Keynote speaker Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former United Nations Development Programme Administrator, addressed the audience with her insights on “A New Era for Philanthropy: Leading Through Complexity.” Her talk explored the leadership qualities essential for philanthropy in today’s world.

One of the highlight sessions was titled “Two Playbooks, One Goal: Navigating Social Mobility in Asia’s Twin Cities.” The session brought together The Hon Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, and Tan See Leng, Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy & Industry) & Former Minister for Manpower of Singapore. The conversation, moderated by The Hon Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR Government, focused on converting the benefits of economic growth into opportunities for social mobility.

Another notable session, “Expanding the Arena: Philanthropy, Leadership, and Pathways Beyond Sport,” featured leading sports figures from the Chinese Mainland, including Li Xiaopeng, Deng Yaping, Yang Yang, and Ma Ning. These athletes shared their perspectives on how sporting excellence can evolve to shape institutions, nurture emerging talent, and widen access to opportunities.

The Commission on Asian Philanthropy, co-convened by The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and the Asian Philanthropy Congress (APHIC), launched its Interim Report, presenting the first comprehensive research on the scale and scope of philanthropic ecosystems across participating Asian jurisdictions. The report estimates that domestic philanthropic giving across participating jurisdictions reached US$109 billion in 2024 and could exceed US$1 trillion over the next decade.

The report highlights how philanthropy in Asia is shaped by everyday giving, business contributions, and public investment, and how philanthropic ecosystems can serve as a strategic asset for national development. Leading foundations participating in PBC 2026 included the Gates Foundation, the D.H. Chen Foundation, the Lee Hysan Foundation, the Yao Foundation, the Sanofi Foundation, the Tencent Charity Foundation, The Majurity Trust, the Lien Foundation, and the Essl Foundation.

HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration The Hon Chan Kwok-ki emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing Hong Kong as a global center for philanthropy. “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and as a bridge between East and West, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to deploy global capital for the greater good,” he said.

The forum’s theme, “Leap for Impact,” drew inspiration from the world’s leading sports and top athletes, highlighting the importance of qualities like discipline, focus, resilience, and teamwork in driving enduring social change. The event underscores the Trust’s ongoing role as a platform for sharing ideas, advancing understanding, and connecting leaders to address the challenges of our time.