(25 September 2026) The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) successfully convened the IIDS Conference on 24 September 2026, under the theme “Bridging Theory and Industry Practice: Advancing ESG Excellence in Hong Kong and Beyond.” This landmark event, held at the HSUHK Auditorium, was co-organised by the Department of Accountancy. It brought together a formidable alliance of top-tier academics, government officials, regulators, and industry leaders to forge a path forward for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) development. The conference was made possible through the generous support of a grant from the Research Grant Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Project No. UGC/IIDS14/B01/25).
The conference opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Pauline Wong, Assistant Professor of the Department of Accountancy at HSUHK and Principal Investigator of the IIDS Project, who underscored the HSUHK’s commitment to thought leadership. “At HSUHK, we believe in the power of collaboration to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges,” she stated. “Today’s conference serves as a vital platform to unite diverse perspectives and translate ESG theory into actionable strategies, driving sustainable growth for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.”
The event was honoured by the presence of Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of HKSAR Government, who delivered the Guest of Honour keynote address. He remarked, “Being Asia’s leading international financial centre, Hong Kong is also rising as the international green finance hub of the region. The Government is committed to creating a robust ecosystem that encourages ESG integration, and forums like this are crucial for fostering the public-private collaboration needed to achieve our green and sustainable finance ambitions.”
The day’s agenda was rich with insights, featuring powerful keynote speeches from reputable scholars: Professor Agnes K Y Tai, Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Director of Great Glory Investment Corporation, on “The HK/China Regulatory Landscape,” and Professor Kerstin Lopatta, Chair of Sustainability Reporting Board of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) and Chair Professor of the University of Hamburg, on the “EU’s Role in Sustainability,” which provided a comprehensive overview of the global and regional regulatory pressures shaping corporate strategy.
A series of four in-depth sessions explored the multifaceted nature of ESG:
• The first panel, “Regulatory Insights on Sustainability,” moderated by Ms. Karen Ngai, Head of Group ESG at CTF Services Limited, featured a dynamic discussion with panelists Professor Kerstin Lopatta, Professor Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, Adjunct Professor of CUHK and HKU and Former Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, Dr. Hon. Webster Ng, JP (Legislative Council Member, Functional Constituency – Accountancy), Mr. Sivananth Ramachandra Iyer (Director of Policy, Registration and Oversight at the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC)), and Ms. Kelly Lee (Senior Vice President, Listing Division of HKEX). The panel highlighted the importance of moving beyond compliance, exploring how meaningful disclosure can enhance transparency, accountability and long-term value creation.
• A “Fireside Chat on AI-empowered ESG Disclosure” brought together speakers Professor Agnes C. S. Cheng (Chair Professor of the University of Oklahoma) and Professor Iman Harymawan (Professor in the Department of Accounting and Head of the Center for Environmental, Social, and Governance Studies [CESGS] at Universitas Airlangga), moderated by Professor Louis Cheng (Dr. S. H. Ho Professor of Banking and Finance, Associate Dean (Research) of School of Business and Director of Research Centre for ESG at HSUHK). They explored how technology can revolutionise transparency and data analytics in ESG reporting.
• The third panel, “Auditing, Compliance & Tech Innovation,” included Ms. Irene Chu (ESG Advisory Partner at KPMG China), Ms. Loretta Fong (Sustainability Assurance Leader at PwC Hong Kong), Mr. Andy Law (Sustainability Partner at Deloitte China), Mr. Ee Sin Tan (Hong Kong and Macau Climate Change and Sustainability Services Partner at Ernst & Young (EY)), and Ms. Vicky Wong (Finance Director of China Resources Logistics (Group) Limited), with Mr. Brian Li (Vice Chair of ACCA Hong Kong) as moderator. The discussion centred on the practical challenges of assurance and the innovative tools that can enhance compliance.
• The final session, the “Academic-CEO Dialogue: Building Bridges,” was moderated by Dr. Feng Yeo, Director of the Research Institute for Business (RIB), Associate Professor of the Department of Accountancy, and Co-Director of the Centre for Behavioural Research in Business at HSUHK. The panel featured a dynamic live dialogue with Ms. Jessica Chan (Head of Sustainability of MTR Corporation), Ms. Serena Mak (Executive Director of Sustainable Finance at DBS Hong Kong), and Mr. Kim Man Wong (Chief Financial Officer of HK Electric Investments). Professor Anthony Cheung (GHG Protocol Independent Standard Board Member) contributed valuable insights that enriched the session. The session focused on the integration of ESG criteria in investment strategies, pathways to corporate decarbonisation, the cultivation of professional ESG talent, and strengthening the alignment between forward-looking academic research and day-to-day corporate operations.
In her closing remarks, Professor Phyllis Mo, Professor and Head of the Department of Accountancy at HSUHK, synthesised the day’s discussions, noting, “The wealth of knowledge shared today demonstrates a collective commitment to advancing the ESG agenda. This is not the end of the conversation, but a catalyst for continued partnership.”
The conference successfully provided a pivotal platform for networking and knowledge exchange, reinforcing HSUHK’s and the Department of Accountancy’s roles as a nexus for academic and industry leaders dedicated to building a sustainable and resilient future.
Conference details: https://sbus.hsu.edu.hk/events/iids-conference-bridging-theory-and-industry-practice-advancing-esg-excellence-in-hong-kong-and-beyond/