Eco Expo Asia 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, will take place from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo. The 21st edition, held under the theme “Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future,” arrives as governments across Asia and beyond accelerate carbon-neutrality targets and embed decarbonisation into industrial policy. The expo’s significance lies in its timing: green transformation has shifted from policy aspiration to market rule, making platforms that connect technology, capital and regulation essential for businesses navigating the transition.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Silas Chu noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Policy Address and first Five-Year Plan set a vision for a green and liveable city, while China, the European Union and many ASEAN economies pursue net-zero goals. “As global demand for ESG and green solutions continues to grow, Eco Expo Asia will bring together green technologies, innovative solutions, and global business opportunities,” he said. The expo will host over 340 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, including first-time participants from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Some 200 key officials and representatives from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Belt and Road countries and ASEAN will attend, underscoring the event’s role in cross-regional cooperation.
A key implication of the expo is the release of the HKTDC ESG Index 2026, which rose to 67.3 from 64.2 last year, well above the neutral threshold of 50. The survey found that 93% of respondents have integrated ESG into business decision-making, and the share of businesses sourcing or selling ESG-related products and services jumped from 29% in 2025 to 46% in 2026. These figures signal that ESG is no longer a compliance burden but a competitive advantage, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an ESG business hub. For detailed findings, see the HKTDC ESG Index 2026.
The expo’s international reach expands with 18 pavilions, including a debut ASEAN Pavilion featuring 13 green technology companies from eight member countries. Qinghai Province makes its first appearance, joined by nine Greater Bay Area cities, Macao, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai and Nanjing. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation leads 11 start-ups, while the Hong Kong Pavilion hosts 19 local exhibitors. Four thematic areas—Green Energy in Motion, Frontier Green Tech, Building for a Greener City and From Waste to Worth—spotlight innovations such as EcoCeres’ sustainable aviation fuel, Stellerus Technology’s space-borne greenhouse gas observatory, and Green AI Technology’s unmanned recycling station.
Over 30 forums will bring together more than 80 government officials and industry leaders. The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference will be co-hosted for the first time by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Public Day on 29 October offers free admission and workshops to encourage green lifestyles. Free shuttle buses will connect venues; details are available at the travel-to-fairground page. The full programme is at the Eco Expo Asia website. The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, continues to promote Hong Kong as a two-way global investment hub through international exhibitions, conferences and business missions. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
