Event programme 2026
Monday 16 November 2026
Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre
N201 Meeting Room
Navigating Risk – Partnering for Resilience
08:00-08:45 Registration
08:45-09:00 Welcome and Opening Keynote Remarks
Paul Chan Mo-po GBM GBS MH JP, Financial Secretary, The Government of the Hong Kong SAR
John S. Denholm, CBE, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping
Richard Hext, Chairman Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Hong Kong SAR
09:00-09:45 Geopolitics and Trade Realignment – Identifying Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience
As governments and industry navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain global trading environment, difficult choices must be made about where resources, effort and cooperation should be expended to have the greatest impact. Partnerships and innovation are the vital building blocks required to support secure and efficient maritime trade as the sector adapts to a global environment defined by overlapping and persistent crises.
Key Questions
- What should be the top priorities for governments and industry in strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of global trade networks?
- What lessons have been learnt from recent disruptions – particularly with respect to infrastructure, connectivity, supply chain planning and trade facilitation?
- As supply chains adapt to geopolitical disruption, how do we ensure that the welfare, safety and legal protections of seafarers remain central to resilience planning and crisis response?
- How can governments, industry and international partners work together to build more adaptable, efficient and future-proof maritime trade systems, whilst maintaining freedom of navigation?
09:45-10:00 Fireside Chat
10:00-10:30 Networking Break
10:30-11:15 Practical Solutions for Resilient Supply Chains
This session will consider the practical measures already being implemented to increase supply chain resilience, including improved planning, alternative routing options, multi-modal corridors and the use of digital solutions.
Key Questions
- What practical measures proved to be the most effective in maintaining supply chains during recent periods of disruption?
- How can companies increase flexibility through diversification, contingency planning and alternative transport routes without significantly increasing costs?
- What role can digitalisation, real-time data sharing and supply chain visibility play in improving resilience and decision-making?
- How can ports, logistics providers and transport operators collaborate more effectively to reduce bottlenecks and improve resilience?
- How are ports balancing the need for efficiency, sustainability and resilience amid changing demands?
11:15-11:30 Fireside Chat
11:30-12:15 Mitigating Risk – Building Resilience, Unlocking Opportunity
Flexibility and collaboration are the key tools to mitigating risk and building long-term resilience. This session will explore how risks can be managed, how resilience can be financed and how emerging trade corridors, technologies and partnerships can build more secure, adaptable and competitive global trade networks.
Key Questions
- How can governments, industry and international organisations work together to ensure resilience is embedded into long-term trade, transport and infrastructure planning?
- What role can insurance, finance and risk-sharing mechanisms play in strengthening resilience and supporting investment in critical trade infrastructure?
- Who should pay for resilience and how can the costs and benefits be shared equitably across the maritime value chain?
- Which regions, trade routes and sectors and best positioned to benefit from the realignment of global trade and investment flows?
12:15 Closing Remarks
Mable Chan JP, Secretary Transport and Logistics, Hong Kong SAR
12:30 Close of Conference
*Timings subject to change