Trade renewal and the future of multilateralism

Jointly organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Hong Kong and the Asia Global Institute, this roundtable, “Trade renewal and the future of multilateralism,” provided business and policy leaders with a timely platform to engage with international trade leadership and contribute perspectives to the global dialogue on WTO reform and the preservation of the rules-based multilateral trading system.

The roundtable convened leaders from finance, law, logistics, digital trade, and supply-chain sectors for strategic discussions on the ICC’s business-led response to trade fragmentation—including Project Phoenix—and Hong Kong’s distinctive role in advancing multilateral renewal. Speakers stressed that the challenge is not only to preserve the post-war trade order, but to adapt it to current realities while defending its core principles of openness, predictability, and rules-based cooperation. Discussions also explored how digital trade is accelerating through evolving legal frameworks, trade finance innovations, and emerging technologies to strengthen and digitize global supply chains. Hong Kong was repeatedly identified as well placed to contribute through its legal infrastructure, financial system, and international connectivity, reinforcing its enduring role as a neutral, entrepreneurial, and rules-based hub for global commerce. Key takeaways include:

• Multilateralism as trade’s lifeline: Defending multilateralism is inseparable from defending the future of trade. Strong, credible institutions are essential to keep global markets open and connected, especially for developing economies.
• Resilience and coordination in a fragmented world: Sanctions, regulatory divergence, and geopolitical risk demand that businesses embed resilience into their planning. Greater coordination across jurisdictions is now central to sustaining commerce and finance.
• Bridging the digital governance gap: The mismatch between borderless digital innovation and nationally bounded legal systems is widening. Harmonizing rules on intellectual property, digital governance, and cross-border trade is critical to unlock digital trade’s full potential.
• Hong Kong’s enduring role: With strengths in arbitration, trade finance, and logistics, Hong Kong remains a neutral, rules-based platform. Its ability to connect supply chains and pioneer digital trade standards positions it as a vital hub for systemic renewal.

Program

0845 - 0900    Registration

0900 - 0905    Group photo

0905 - 0910    Welcome remarks

• Keith Brandt, Chairman, The International Chamber of Commerce - Hong Kong; Vice Chairman, Dentons Global

0910 - 0920    Opening remarks

• Victor K Fung, Chairman, Asia Global Institute; Former Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce

0920 - 0930    Guest of Honor

• Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice, The Government of the HKSAR 

0930 - 0940    Keynote address

• John Denton, Secretary-General, International Chamber of Commerce

0940 - 1040    Panel discussion 1: Project Phoenix and renewing multilateralism

• John Denton, Secretary-General, International Chamber of Commerce  
• David Eldon, Former Chairman, HSBC
• Loke-Khoon Tan, Partner, Baker & McKenzie; International Trade Lawyer 
• Edward Yau, Former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, The Government of the HKSAR 
• Heiwai Tang, Director, Asia Global Institute (moderator)

1040 - 1100    Networking break

1100 - 1200    Panel discussion 2: Powering digital trade: Law, finance, and technology

• Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
• Venkatraman Panchapakesan, Managing Director, HSBC
• Anson Suen, Co-Founder & CEO, FundPark
• Ivy Tse, Co-CEO & Co-founder, FreightAmigo
• Shirley Kwong, Secretary, The International Chamber of Commerce - Hong Kong; Former Managing Director of Trade Finance, HSBC (moderator)

1200 - 1210    Closing remarks

• Sebastian Man, Vice Chairman, The International Chamber of Commerce - Hong Kong