Sustainability · Government & policy
Hong Kong, Oct 26, 2026 - The 21st Eco Expo Asia 2026, 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 Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), opens today for a four-day run (26 to 29 October) at AsiaWorld-Expo. Held under the theme 'Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future', this year's Expo brings together over 340 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Some 200 senior officials and representatives of semi-official organisations from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Belt and Road and ASEAN countries will attend, further strengthening international exchange and ties.
The 21st Eco Expo Asia opens today and will run for four days (26-29 October) at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong said: "Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the latest Policy Address both call for building a green and liveable city, to inject fresh momentum into the development of the green sector. As an important green trade platform in the region, Eco Expo Asia gathers innovative green technologies, products and solutions from around the world, fostering exchange and cooperation among governments, businesses, investors and research institutions. International participation has also grown this year, 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."
Sophia Chong, HKTDC Executive Director, stated at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference that it is highly meaningful for the conference to be held alongside Eco Expo Asia, demonstrating Hong Kong's important role as a bridge between the Chinese Mainland and the world, and as a platform where ideas, capital, technology, and partnerships can come together to advance green development.
Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, said, "The nation embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, and the HKSAR's first Five-Year Plan proactively aligns with national development strategies, with green transformation and development of a green and liveable city as its key directions. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its roles of "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to foster regional and international green cooperation. In this year's Expo, 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 for the first time. Holding the two events concurrently fully harnesses the synergy. I am sure the Expo will inspire innovation and open up business collaboration opportunity, giving fresh impetus to a sustainable green future!”
The Eco Expo Asia welcome ceremony will be held tomorrow (27 October). Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Sophia Chong, HKTDC Executive Director, and Jack Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, among other guests, will attend the ceremony.
Pavilions gather participants from home and abroad, HKSAR Government booth debuts green living experiences
The number of pavilions at this year's Expo has risen to 18. The new ASEAN Pavilion brings together seven ASEAN countries, namely Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, with 12 green technology ventures presenting innovative solutions in water treatment, circular economy, green finance and ESG services, green building and environmental products. Several overseas pavilions also make a return, including Canada, Italy, Korea and the Netherlands. On the Chinese Mainland front, Qinghai Province makes its first appearance, while nine Greater Bay Area cities and Macau, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai and Nanjing of Jiangsu Province will also participate.
This year's Expo debuts an ASEAN Pavilion, bringing together 12 green technology ventures from seven ASEAN countries, namely Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
On the Hong Kong front, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation leads 11 local start-ups to showcase various energy solutions. The Hong Kong Pavilion, supported by the Environmental Protection Department and coordinated by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, gathers 19 local companies, while the Environmental Campaign Committee brings 22 start-ups together to demonstrate homegrown green innovations and drive their practical application. The HKSAR Government booth, formed by the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department and nine other government departments, introduces a new comprehensive experience zone for green technology organised around four themes. "Green Flat" is built with sustainable building technologies and materials to illustrate sustainable living concepts, while "Green Match", "Green Cooperation" and "Green Innovation" foster collaboration among green enterprises and open up opportunities in the low-carbon economy.
The HKSAR Government booth adds a new comprehensive experience zone for green technology organised around four themes, including "Green Flat", "Green Match", "Green Cooperation" and "Green Innovation", showcasing sustainable living concepts and facilitating partnerships among green enterprises.
Leveraging Hong Kong’s professional services to support Chinese Mainland green enterprises in going global
As a member of the "GoGlobal Task Force", the HKTDC has set up a GoGlobal Connect Zone for the first time at the Expo, to support Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises in reaching international markets through Hong Kong’s professional services. Today, the Expo hosts an "Experience Sharing Forum on Promoting Environmental Business in Overseas Markets". Sharing its story is Hunan exhibitor Lihe Technology, which signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan during the Expo last year. The session also features government officials from Belt and Road countries, together with representatives of InvestHK and several Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises, who explore how to tap Hong Kong’s advantages to go global. An ASEAN networking reception follows the session to connect green enterprises with the ASEAN region.
Tomorrow (27 October), the organiser will stage a "GoGlobal Seminar", bringing together representatives of industrial parks in Malaysia and Thailand, the Bank of China (Hong Kong) and the Hong Kong Accreditation Service to discuss how Hong Kong can integrate international green finance, cross-border infrastructure expertise, global certification standards and strategic industrial park partnerships to build a comprehensive ecosystem that accelerates the expansion of Chinese Mainland green enterprises into the ASEAN market.
Four thematic areas aligning with latest decarbonisation policies as frontier green technologies take the stage
Green transformation is increasingly becoming a defining force in the market. The State Council of the People's Republic of China formally issued the action plan for carbon peaking during the 15th Five-Year Plan period this July, setting out comprehensive arrangements for the country's decarbonisation efforts over the next five years. On the Hong Kong front, the city's first Five-Year Plan also sets the green transformation direction for various industries, while the Policy Address 2026 goes further with concrete measures spanning zero-carbon energy, hydrogen energy, green transport, waste reduction and recycling. In line with these trends, this year's Expo centres on four areas: "Green Energy in Motion", "Frontier Green Tech", "Building for a Greener City" and "From Waste to Worth", keeping pace with the latest policy directions.
Under "Green Energy in Motion", this year's Expo features green energy solutions spanning the maritime, land transport and aviation sectors. Making its debut, EcoCeres Limited (Booth: 3-F30), the world's second largest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer, showcases SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) produced from waste feedstocks, in response to the HKSAR Government's call to build an SAF value chain. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Pavilion (Booth: 3-E02) brings the slimmest wall-mounted DC Fast EV charger currently on the market, developed by TriTerra Technology Limited.
The area of "Green Energy in Motion" gathers cutting-edge energy technologies. Among them, Refined Motor Company Limited showcases a modular electric conversion solution that extends vehicle lifecycles in a more environmentally friendly way.
The area of "Frontier Green Tech" features about 30 start-ups and university spin-offs. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Booth: 3-G25) showcases high-strength bacterial cellulose films upcycled from tea waste. Being strong, flexible, and water-resistant, the material can serve as sustainable packaging or even a next-generation bio-based leather. Lingnan University (Booth: 3-F26) presents various newly developed technologies and products, among them a fleet management system combining AIoT with GeoAI technology to cut traffic delays and boost the overall operational efficiency of public and commercial transport fleets.
The area of "Frontier Green Tech" assembles around 30 start-ups and university spin-offs to demonstrate practical applications of green research and development.
Under "Building for a Greener City", Hyper-Tech Environmental Limited (Booth: 6-E28) showcases Oizom, the IoT-driven environmental monitoring system, whose patented active-sampling technology helps monitor pollutant and noise levels in support of smart city development. Umwelt Consulting Limited (Booth: 6-C19) brings its InvisQuiet Acoustic Window and Acoustic Balcony, which use the windowpane itself as a noise barrier to ease environmental noise while taking up less indoor space and consuming fewer materials.
Umwelt Consulting Limited presents its InvisQuiet Acoustic Window and Acoustic Balcony, which use the windowpane itself as a noise barrier to ease environmental noise.
For "From Waste to Worth", Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group Corp., Ltd. (Booth: 3-D30) brings its waste-to-energy projects, with technologies and equipment already deployed in the Chinese Mainland and 10 other countries. Baguio Green Technology Limited (Booth: 3-D29) demonstrates a Smart Waste Management Solution that integrates smart recycling equipment, IoT technology and a big data platform to track recycling data and streamline analysis, easing the burden of ESG reporting for businesses.
Over 80 government, industry and academic leaders discuss policy, technology and green business opportunities
This year's events are organised into four themed days aligned with the Expo's focus areas, featuring more than 30 forums and thematic sessions that bring together over 80 government officials and industry leaders from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and other Belt and Road countries. The flagship event, the Eco Asia Conference, explores green development from multiple perspectives, spanning policy, technology, green finance, green building and industry applications. Various prominent industry leaders and experts will share their insights in person, including Ar Clarence Leung, Council Member and Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability of the Construction Industry Council, Ir Kenny Wong, Director of Business Development & Projects - Hong Kong of ALBA Group Asia, and Henry Ho, Head of Sustainability of China State Construction Engineering (HK) Limited.
One session of the Eco Asia Conference took place today, featuring Prof Su Hui, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of HKUST, who led the development of the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO). MUSICO was installed on China's Tiangong Space Station this year, and at the session she shared its practice and applications. Joined by Prof Kenneth Leung, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health at CityUHK, they also discussed extreme climate monitoring technologies.
The flagship event, Eco Asia Conference, brought together (from second left) Prof Su Hui, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of HKUST, Alex Petre, Chief Executive Officer of Deep Sky, Prof Kenneth Leung, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health at CityUHK, Xu Xia, General Manager, Investment Management Center of Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co., Ltd, and Prof Lucian Liu, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of PolyU today to discuss how next-generation technologies can drive a net-zero future.
Tomorrow (27 October) will also feature multiple events, including the government session of the Eco Asia Conference. An official from the Chinese Mainland and a representative of United Nations Environment Programme will share their respective environmental policy updates. There is also a panel discussion with a number of officials and experts holding in-depth exchanges on the advancement of innovative technologies for the building of the Green Silk Road. The Government Department Forum will gather representatives from the Environmental Protection Department, the Civil Aviation Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Water Supplies Department to brief the industry on government procurement needs, thereby advancing the application of environmental solutions and driving green opportunities. On the same day, the Startup Edge Exhibitor Forum will invite start-ups from different environmental fields to share their experiences. Local university representatives will also explain how green technologies move from the laboratory to the market.
Today's Exhibitor Forum, themed "The Green Frontier: Sustainable Tech Insights from Malaysia and the Netherlands," featured three exhibitors from the two countries sharing industry insights and practical experiences. Pictured is Marc Rijsdijk, Sales and Business Development Manager for Asia at Tible B.V., a Dutch exhibitor.
Other highlights include the 7th Hydrogen Economy Forum on 28 October, at which Eddie Cheung, JP, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), will deliver a keynote speech. Experts including Ir Sammy Kong, General Manager of Commercial & Industrial Marketing & Sales at The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, and Thomas Lui, Director of Decarbonisation and Integrated System Planning at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, will then discuss the application of green fuels and energy storage technologies in Hong Kong.
The final day of the Expo (29 October) will be Public Day, with free admission for the public, aiming to deepen public understanding of sustainability and to encourage the adoption of green lifestyles. A series of interactive environmental workshops and talks will be held that day. Speakers include representatives of the Hong Kong Observatory and the Asia Circular Economy Association, as well as Leung Wing Mo, former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, who will discuss hot topics such as extreme heat and climate change with the public. Prof Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, together with representatives from Lingnan University and others, will host a Career Forum to share the prospects and trends of the green job market, encouraging talents to seize career opportunities in the green industry. In addition, Ways Out Hong Kong, a local social enterprise, will share its story of upcycling food waste into jewellery.
Other concurrent fairs
The Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo runs concurrently with Eco Expo Asia (26 to 29 October) at AsiaWorld-Expo, showcasing a wide range of outdoor and professional technical lighting solutions for commercial and industrial use. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) will run for four days from tomorrow (27 to 30 October) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Free shuttle bus services are offered between these venues and other locations in the city throughout the fair period. Please refer to the following page for details:
https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en/travel-to-fairground-awe
Website: Eco Expo Asia – https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en
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For enquiries, please contact:
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About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn
About Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,700 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2025 were about € 766 million. We serve our customers' business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt's key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events.
Messe Frankfurt develops new business models based on its digital expertise. Its range of services encompasses venue rental as well as exhibition stand construction, marketing services, staffing services, and catering.
Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Maintaining a balance between environmental and economic responsibility, social responsibility, and diversity lies at the heart of its approach.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
Oct 26 · 09:57·ACN Newswire
Travel · Government & policy
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Honourable Matjato Moteane, announced this during the introduction of Qingjian Group (CNQC), the contractor awarded the project, and the sod-turning ceremony for the eight-kilometre road extension.
The project is expected to create between 150 and 200 jobs, improve access to remote communities and boost tourism.
CNQC has 18 months to complete the project, while SMEC, which supervised the previous section of the road (Mpiti-Sehlabathebe), will continue its consultancy role.
Addressing the contractor and stakeholders, Moteane urged all parties to improve coordination, transparency and communication, drawing lessons from challenges encountered during the Mpiti-Sehlabathebe road project.
“When I come back in 18 months, I want to reach this village and tell the residents that you have done well,” he said.
He acknowledged concerns previously raised by the local Member of Parliament (MP) and councillor about poor cooperation among stakeholders, calling for timely consultations with landowners and affected households, proper record-keeping and accessible channels for addressing complaints.
Moteane said targets would be established following discussions on subcontracting arrangements.
He emphasized that as the project was funded by the government, the contractor was expected to deliver quality work, noting that the money could have been allocated to other infrastructure priorities.
Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture Mputi Mputi said the road would strengthen tourism and create opportunities for local businesses, particularly those owned by young people and women.
He described Sehlabathebe National Park as one of Lesotho’s natural treasures, saying improved road access could attract more tourists, create jobs and stimulate local economic activity.
However, he stressed that infrastructure alone would not guarantee tourism growth. He said communities also needed to prepare to welcome visitors by offering services such as homestays, traditional food and cultural experiences.
He said tourists should not only see Lesotho’s natural beauty but also experience Basotho hospitality and culture, ensuring that tourism contributes to economic growth without damaging the country’s attractions.
Mputi also appealed for the road to be extended to the border crossing referred to by the minister, a development that could further improve access for tourists and travellers.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism and Land Cluster, Lebohang Phohleli, said the committee was responsible for approving funding upon the minister’s request and monitoring how allocated funds were used.
He said the committee would return to assess progress and would also be present at the project’s launch upon completion.
“We believe that this time we will not have to answer for problems similar to those experienced on the Mpiti-Sehlabathebe project,” he said.
Phohleli added that the Prime Minister had plans to improve connectivity between Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong, a move he said could attract more tourists and contribute to economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Chief, Chieftainess ’Matheko Makhaola welcomed the project, saying it would ease the daily difficulties faced by Thamathu residents.
She said that, once the road was completed, villagers would no longer have to spend nights at Ha Belebese in Letlapeng as transport will help them reach their homes.
Makhaola urged residents to protect the road against damage, including damage caused by animals, so that future generations could also benefit.
Thamathu Councillor Liau Mohasoa described the occasion as historic, saying the extension would finally address longstanding challenges faced by Thamathu and Belebese residents.
“We have been struggling for so many years, and our lives have been at risk. The road was constructed and left at the park, and we wondered why. It was a problem, but today our plea has been answered,” he said.
Mohasoa said the extension would make it easier for tourists to reach Thamathu and spare residents the difficulty of travelling to the vicinity of the park to catch taxis.
Tsoelike MP Ts’eliso Nkoefoshe said he had repeatedly engaged the Minister of Public Works and Transport as the road was initially intended to reach Thamathu, with the possibility of extending it further towards the border crossing.
He said the area was popular with tourists and that improved connectivity could make travel more convenient. He also highlighted the potential to ease business travel between the area and Pietermaritzburg, which he said could be reached in three hours or less.
“We are happy that the project is being implemented, and we are thankful,” he said.
Nkoefoshe urged the contractor and community to resolve disputes amicably, particularly where construction activities affected fields, houses and other properties. He called for affected residents to be compensated on time.
As construction gets underway, the focus now shifts to delivery, with residents eager to see the long-awaited extension completed and its promised benefits realized.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.
Oct 26 · 09:55·APO Group
SaaS · Energy
Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com/) has brought together its channel partners in Morocco for a dedicated business and technology engagement aimed at strengthening local partnerships, expanding market reach and unlocking new opportunities across the country’s fast-evolving business landscape.
Under the platform “Power to Move: Partnering for Growth,” the Casablanca event reflects Canon’s approach of moving closer to its partners and customers by combining local market insight, a strong channel ecosystem and an expanding portfolio of business imaging and print technologies.
Morocco is an important market within CCNA’s regional growth strategy. Canon recognises the country’s development priorities, with sustained national investment in transport, aviation, maritime infrastructure, healthcare, education and renewable energy creating new demand for productivity, digitalisation and more efficient, secure ways of working, and with it, opportunities for technology partners who understand local requirements.
Central to the engagement is a market-specific approach to partner collaboration, developed to support partners across Canon’s B2B portfolio. It focuses on strengthening partner capabilities, joint planning and closer commercial engagement, providing a framework better aligned with local market opportunities and customer requirements.
The event also introduced Canon’s latest technology developments to the Moroccan channel, including the new imagePROGRAF large-format printing solution and imageFORCE, enabling partners to experience the latest additions to Canon’s portfolio and explore their relevance across different customer applications and business environments.
These technologies are linked directly to real business requirements, from office and large-format printing for infrastructure projects, to scanning and document management that digitise and manage information in healthcare, education and public institutions, and to streamlining document-intensive workflows across businesses of all sizes.
The Casablanca engagement therefore goes beyond product introduction. Discussions with partners covered upcoming projects, customer needs and potential areas for collaboration, creating a platform for Canon and its partners to exchange market insights, align joint planning and bring a broader range of imaging, print and workflow solutions closer to end users. The focus now is on what Canon and its partners can achieve together: turning these discussions into joint plans, stronger partner capabilities and new business opportunities across Morocco’s priority sectors.
The initiative also reflects CCNA’s ICE strategy – Innovation, Customer Experience and Employee Experience. In practice, this means pairing new technology with closer engagement with customers and partners, so that Canon can respond more effectively to the specific requirements of individual markets and support sustainable business growth.
Tushar Vashnavi, Business Unit Director, B2B, Canon Central & North Africa, said: “Morocco’s investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education and renewable energy is creating real demand for technology that helps organisations work more productively. Unlocking that demand starts with understanding the market locally and working closely with the partners who are closest to our customers. Our approach is not simply about introducing new technology. It also means strengthening service network readiness through local partner capabilities, technical training and access to Canon’s expertise, so customers have the support they need beyond installation. By bringing together the right portfolio, knowledge and service capabilities, we can extend our reach and create greater value for customers across Morocco.”
The Morocco engagement forms part of a broader approach by Canon Central & North Africa to deepen channel engagement across its markets. Through closer collaboration, market-specific partner strategies and access to its evolving B2B portfolio, Canon aims to strengthen its partner ecosystem and create new pathways for shared growth.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Media enquiries, please contact:
Jayashri.namdar@canon-me.com
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About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com/) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/4ersZJ6) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: https://en.Canon-CNA.com/
Oct 26 · 09:53·APO Group