Event programme

Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit

Hong Kong, SAR

Risk and Resilience in an Age of Disruption

Monday 18 November 2024, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

08:00-09:00    Registration

09:00-09:30    Welcome and Opening Keynote Remarks            

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, SAR

Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General IMO (by video, confirmed)

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General WTO

 

09:30-10:15    Session 1 – The Challenges

In today’s world of increasing geopolitical tensions, the proliferation of national subsidies and sanctions, is the international rules-based order in danger of unravelling?

This opening panel will discuss the challenges facing shipping in today’s age of disruption.

Key questions to be addressed:

• What are the security challenges impacting maritime trade?
• Are trade policies, tariffs and sanctions adversely impacting trade volumes and shipping costs?
• Is protectionism affecting shipping and the efficiency of the world economy?
• What are the challenges to global rules for shipping presented by unilateral regulation, including with regard to charges for GHG emissions?

10:15-10:30    Break

10:30-10:45    Keynote 

10:45-11:30    Session 2 – The Needs

Maritime trade is critical to international trade and the global economy with over 80% of the volume of international goods transported by sea. The maritime economy has proved itself resilient to repeated global crises, from geopolitical conflicts, global economic fragmentation, and heightened trade policy to the climate emergency, and energy transition. How can the maritime industry and policy makers work together to ensure a resilient and robust maritime economy?

 

• What policy levers are required to support future maritime trade flows?
• What institutions and processes work well, and which need support?
• How can trade policy help decarbonisation?
• Can tariffs/reduction of tariffs of green goods and services be helpful?

 

11:30-11:45    Keynote 

11:45-12:15    Session 3 – The Way Ahead

• How can dialogue between maritime policy makers be maintained [and improved]?
• What can policymakers do to better support global free trade?
• What can the maritime sector do to better support global free trade?
• What can producers do to better support global free trade?
• What can consumers do to better support global free trade?