Full Breakdown
Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum Marks a Decade of Global Collaboration in Hong Kong
9/9/2026, 11:42:11 AM
Forum Launch and Attendance
The Philanthropy for Better Cities (PBC) Forum 2026 opened on September 7 with the Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki presiding over the ceremony. Organisers reported that roughly 2,000 delegates from a range of sectors gathered for the two-day event. Over the forum’s ten-year history, more than 10,000 participants and 380 speakers representing over 40 countries and regions have taken part, according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Impact Report released at the opening.
Theme and Vision
This year’s theme, “Leaping for Impact,” draws on Olympic and Paralympic values, linking sport-derived qualities—focus, discipline, resilience, teamwork—to philanthropic practice. The programme emphasized inclusion, shared purpose and the pursuit of excellence as guiding principles for deeper, longer-lasting social change.
Scale of Hong Kong’s Philanthropic Ecosystem
Hong Kong hosts more than 11,000 tax-exempt charities, and over 400 new charitable organisations were recognised in the most recent year. Approved charitable donations surpassed US$1.5 billion in the 2024-25 assessment year, reflecting strong public generosity. The government’s tax-deductible donation scheme and transparent tax regime are cited as key enablers of this giving climate.
Economic Context and Wealth-Management Hub
The city is also a leading wealth-management centre, now home to more than 3,300 single-family offices, a 25 percent increase over the prior two years. Assets under management in the sector reached US$5.4 trillion, an amount more than 12 times Hong Kong’s gross domestic product. Projections indicate that US$5.8 trillion of wealth will be transferred to the next generation across the Asia-Pacific region, with many families choosing Hong Kong for succession planning.
Official Statements and Outlook
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki affirmed that Hong Kong possesses a solid philanthropic foundation and is committed to becoming a global philanthropy hub. Chairman Martin Liao of the Hong Kong Jockey Club highlighted the forum’s evolution into one of the world’s largest philanthropic assemblies. CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined the opening ceremony, underscoring the city’s role as a bridge between East and West for deploying global capital toward social good. Organisers concluded that the forum provides a launchpad for collaborative projects aimed at building a brighter, safer and more sustainable future for the city and its generations to come.
