The 21st Eco Expo Asia 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo, bringing together more than 340 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions under the theme 'Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future'. The four-day event (26-29 October) serves as a crucial platform for showcasing cutting-edge green technologies and fostering international collaboration, with some 200 senior officials and representatives from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Belt and Road and ASEAN countries attending.
The Expo gains significance as Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the latest Policy Address emphasise building a green and liveable city, 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,' she said. The event features 18 pavilions, including the new ASEAN Pavilion with seven countries and 12 green technology ventures, alongside returning pavilions from Canada, Italy, Korea and the Netherlands. The HKSAR Government booth debuts a comprehensive experience zone for green technology, organised around four themes: 'Green Flat', 'Green Match', 'Green Cooperation' and 'Green Innovation'.
A key highlight is the inaugural GoGlobal Connect Zone, set up by the HKTDC to support Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises in reaching international markets through Hong Kong's professional services. This aligns with Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', as emphasised by Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan. The Expo also hosts the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong for the first time, jointly organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, harnessing synergy to inspire innovation and business collaboration.
The Expo's four thematic areas—'Green Energy in Motion', 'Frontier Green Tech', 'Building for a Greener City' and 'From Waste to Worth'—align with the latest decarbonisation policies, including China's carbon peaking action plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Notable exhibitors include EcoCeres Limited, the world's second largest sustainable aviation fuel producer, and TriTerra Technology Limited with its slim wall-mounted DC Fast EV charger. The 'Frontier Green Tech' area features about 30 start-ups and university spin-offs, such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong's bacterial cellulose films upcycled from tea waste and Lingnan University's AIoT fleet management system.
Over 80 government, industry and academic leaders will discuss policy, technology and green business opportunities across more than 30 forums and thematic sessions. The Eco Asia Conference, a flagship event, explores green development from multiple perspectives, including a session on extreme climate monitoring technologies. The Government Department Forum will brief the industry on procurement needs, while the 7th Hydrogen Economy Forum will discuss green fuels and energy storage. Public Day on 29 October offers free admission, with interactive workshops and talks to deepen public understanding of sustainability.
For details on transportation to the fairground, visit https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en/travel-to-fairground-awe. The HKTDC, celebrating its 60th anniversary, promotes 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 outlined at www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability. For more information on the Expo, visit https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en.
