Hong Kong’s Global Talent Summit Week Attracts 10,000 Participants, Strengthens Position as International Talent Hub
The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) have jointly hosted the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in Hong Kong. The event featured two flagship gatherings—the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo—over the past two days, attracting more than 10,000 participants and 170,000 live-stream views. These events underscored Hong Kong’s dual advantages as a global talent hub and a gateway for talent.
Keynote Insights from Nobel Laureate
Professor Christopher A. Pissarides, the 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, was among the distinguished speakers at the International Talent Forum. In his keynote address, he highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths in traditional industries such as finance and commerce, as well as its world-class education system. He noted that the rapid development of advanced technology in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), particularly due to its proximity to Shenzhen—a hub for innovation hardware and industrial artificial intelligence (AI)—positions Hong Kong to evolve into a regional high-tech center, enhancing its appeal to global talent.
Professor Pissarides stated that Hong Kong boasts a vibrant service-based economy, a high-quality talent pool, proactive government policies, and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. He emphasized that these strengths define Hong Kong’s unique role within the GBA and are crucial for attracting international talent.
The Role of AI in Talent Development
Professor Pissarides further elaborated on the impact of AI across various sectors. He asserted that AI should be viewed as a tool to complement human resources, aimed at enhancing productivity and improving employee well-being rather than replacing the workforce. He predicted that skills in AI development and application, particularly for engineers and data analysts, will be pivotal in the upcoming global talent competition.
Government Commitment to Talent Development
Mr. John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, officiated the opening ceremony of GTS Week and delivered the opening address at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on March 18. He remarked that Hong Kong is rapidly emerging as an international talent hub, driven by a comprehensive strategy that integrates talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement, and regional cooperation. This commitment has been recognized globally, with Hong Kong ranking fourth worldwide and first in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025.
Mr. Lee emphasized that Hong Kong will continue to promote openness, deepen international engagement, and align closely with national development strategies. He indicated that policies in education, innovation, and infrastructure would be further refined to ensure Hong Kong remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed and valued. He reiterated that while economic indicators and technological advancements are significant, human development remains the ultimate goal, with people at the center of Hong Kong’s vision for the future.
Fostering International Collaboration
At this pivotal moment in the global transformation of innovation, technology, and talent development, Hong Kong is leveraging GTS Week to promote international talent collaboration and showcase diverse development opportunities. The event has attracted insights from leaders in government, business, and academia regarding future talent trends.
The GTS Week features a series of discussions and exchanges across multiple sessions. Notable speakers have included Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr. Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey & Company Greater China. They discussed the evolving demand for skilled professionals and how innovation is reshaping China’s talent development landscape.
Expert Perspectives on Future Talent Ecosystems
Panel discussions at the Forum brought together industry leaders such as Professor Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University; Dr. Lin Dahua, Co-founder and Chief Scientist of SenseTime Group Limited; and Ms. Ruchee Anand, Vice President of Talent Solutions for Asia Pacific at LinkedIn. They examined the emerging talent ecosystem and explored how cross-border and cross-sector collaboration could nurture future-ready talent.
During GTS Week, HKTE welcomed approximately 100 government representatives responsible for talent development from the Chinese Mainland and the Macao SAR, along with delegates from leading universities. They shared valuable experiences in talent attraction, retention, nurturing, and recruitment, and discussed strategies for talent development under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
CareerConnect Expo Highlights
Another significant aspect of this year’s GTS Week was the CareerConnect Expo, held concurrently with the Forum at HKCEC. The Expo featured around 70 corporations, educational and technology institutions, and government departments across five thematic zones. It presented Hong Kong’s latest talent admission policies, industry information, settlement support services, and career prospects across the GBA.
GTS Week will continue until March 29, featuring nine satellite events that include regional conferences, career fairs, and corporate award ceremonies. These initiatives aim to establish a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. Notably, a cooperation agreement was signed between HKTE and Junior Chamber International Hong Kong (JCIHK). This partnership will leverage JCIHK’s network of over 150,000 young leaders and members across 114 countries to invite global talent to explore development opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year’s GTS Week has expanded into a series of events focused on the integrated development of education, technology, and talent. The week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Ranking 2025, showcasing the region’s strong appeal to global talent.
For more information on the highlights of GTS Week and Professor Pissarides’ insights, please visit gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/video-gallery.
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Published on 2026-03-21 10:22:00 • By Editorial Desk
