Hong Kong Youth Development Summit opens with over 3,300 young participants from 35 overseas countries

The third Youth Development Summit · Hong Kong opened in Wan Chai on Saturday under the theme "Pioneering New Horizons, Venturing into the Future." Organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the summit attracted more than 3,300 registered young participants, including over 700 from the Chinese Mainland and young people from 35 overseas countries, among them the United States, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria and Rwanda. (Photo: the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre area in Wan Chai, file photo. Photo: Campaign Asia.)

John Lee: youth development under the Five-Year Plan

Chief Executive John Lee said in his opening remarks that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will actively take forward youth development under Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030), announced in September, enhancing opportunities for young people and nurturing a new generation with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, a global perspective and an ambitious, positive mindset. The government will continue to expand young people's international exposure through exchanges, internships and learning experiences, and work with schools and all sectors of the community to create an environment where young people can unleash their potential and shine on the global stage. Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki officiated at the summit and delivered opening remarks, and hosted a welcome dinner for visiting guests on Friday evening.

Youth policy officials from around the world share the stage

The morning session, "Shaping the Future with Youth," brought together officials responsible for youth policies from various regions, including Xu Xiao, President of the All-China Youth Federation; Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Kingmano Phommahaxay, Vice-Minister of Education and Sports of Laos; Kairat Kambaro, Chairman of the Youth and Family Affairs Committee of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information; Karenzi Karake Emmanuel, Ambassador of Rwanda to China; and Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. In her keynote speech, Mak said the government would develop the Youth Development Summit as a flagship brand, bringing young minds together for exchange year after year, and encouraged young people to step into new horizons and become the backbone of long-term economic and social development.

Three thematic forums in the afternoon

Three thematic sessions in the afternoon focused on culture and sports, music and performing arts, and the latest developments in frontier technology. The summit is the first large-scale international youth event since the release of Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan.

(Source: HKSAR Government press release, November 7, 2026.)