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UFI Celebrates Centennial at 92nd Global Congress in Hong Kong – Where the Future of Exhibitions is Shaped

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5 months ago

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UFI

Exhibition industry converges to explore how to leverage Hong Kong’s super-connector role between the world & the Greater Bay Area, world-class venues and diverse cultural experiences to achieve more for trade shows and visitors
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 November 2025 – The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has cemented Hong Kong’s position as an exhibition and conference hub in Asia as the host city of the landmark 92nd UFI Global Congress. Staged at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) on 19–22 November 2025 under the theme “Shaping the Future”, the Congress in UFI’s centenary brought together hundreds of global industry leaders to reflect, connect and shape the future of the global exhibition industry, capturing Hong Kong’s strengths as the trade fair capital of Asia and the World’s Meeting Place delivering world-class infrastructure, seamless Greater Bay Area (GBA) integration and innovative event solutions.
HKTB Chairman Peter Lam remarked, “We are thrilled that the UFI Global Congress has returned to Hong Kong after 25 years to celebrate UFI’s centenary. This year’s Congress holds special significance; it is both an honour and a testament to our city’s enduring position as the “World’s Meeting Place”. Combined with business-friendly policies, world-class infrastructure, professional services and unique GBA opportunity, Hong Kong continues to attract international business events across the region. Moreover, Hong Kong goes beyond being just a business hub – the city boasts a year-round calendar of world-class mega events, enlivening it with delightful activities, exclusive festive attractions and irresistible experiences. I invite global industry leaders to explore beyond the conference halls and immerse themselves in Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong – A Destination of Choice to Unleash Growth Potential for the Exhibition Sector

As a key economic pillar, the global exhibition industry produced US$95 billion in direct GDP and contributed US$162 billion in direct spending in 2024, according to UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry. In 2024, Hong Kong’s flagship venues – Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AWE – hosted more than 350 exhibitions with 9.17 million participants. This year, the city sees a strong momentum in trade exhibitions, with 10 new exhibitions staged in Hong Kong.

Chris Skeith, Managing Director & CEO of UFI noted, “Coming to Hong Kong this year particularly is important to UFI as it’s our centenary. We’ve been celebrating the past, honouring the present, but the main thing we’re here today for is to help shape our future. Experience and trust are two major trends to watch for the industry, and Hong Kong is the perfect destination for us today. Not only have you got the people, the growth opportunity, the amazing landscapes and seascape, and you have also got the venues and the capability to help deliver the events that we can bring. So as UFI moves into our next centenary, I can see lots of our members bringing events to Hong Kong again to help shape the future of their businesses, their communities, their events, and we will do that together.”

Future-focused Congress Programme Highlights Future-proof Developments & Insights

In this year’s UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong, high-calibre speakers led future-focused dialogue. Silicon Valley strategist Dex Hunter-Torricke, hailing from SpaceX, Facebook and Google, dissected how AI and technological changes were reshaping industries, and how the exhibition sector could play a defining role in reconnecting people and ideas.

Global industry leaders also explored the forces shaping the future of events through the main stage programme. A key highlight was AWE’s Phase II development featuring Hong Kong’s largest purpose-built in-door performance venue with 20,000 seats, to be completed by 2028. This expansion is an integral part of SKYTOPIA, the new tourism landmark in Lantau being developed by the Airport Authority. The project integrating commercial activities, culture and leisure is set to propel the city to become a dream destination for visitors.

Lisa Hannant, Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Events attested to Hong Kong’s appeal. “We have an iconic brand called Global Sources, and we have been established here in Hong Kong for over 50 years. Hong Kong is at the forefront of the evolving industry across the whole of the trade show sector. It’s a meeting place for international markets and a real connector where buyers meet sellers. With a diverse economic background and vibrant culture, it is an extraordinary place to be able to establish new events such as The Hong Kong International Show Jumping Show.” she said.

Richard Ireland, Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Events Asia echoed this viewpoint “It didn’t take us long to realise that Hong Kong is a great destination for such a show. Its location near the Greater Bay Area, its affluent population and ability to host large successful events really made it a very simple decision.”

Hong Kong – the Gateway to Unlock Opportunities in GBA and Beyond

Featured as a speaker in the Session themed “Gateway to Growth: Unleashing Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area”, HKTB’s General Manager, Mega Events, MICE and Cruise Marilyn Tham highlighted Hong Kong as an unmatched gateway for uncovering opportunities in the GBA and Asia, thanks to Hong Kong’s one-hour easy access to the GBA market of 87 million people, and the four-hour flight radius to all Asian markets.

Margaret Ma Connolly, President and CEO of Informa Markets Asia, elaborated, “Hong Kong is really the bridge from Asia to the world. Hong Kong has unique access to the Greater Bay Area, and Chinese Mainland is the second largest exhibition market in the world. At Informa Markets, we have launched a few Asia’s debuts in Hong Kong that are aligned with the government Policy Address’s key strategic pillars, whether it’s in aviation, logistic hub or MICE development. So we have launched the Super Terminal Expo, The Battery Show Asia, the Beauty Ingredients & Formulation Asia (BIFA) and Connect Marketplace Hong Kong and we are also launching LEAP East next. Hong Kong has a lot going for it, with the MICE industry being the hub in APAC. I do believe this is Asia’s century and now the momentum is strong.”

Rich Destination Experiences to Enhance Visitor Enjoyment

UFI Global Congress delegates personally experienced how Hong Kong masterfully blends business and leisure. The Congress Dinner at M+, hosted by the HKTB, presented an elaborate feast of culinary excellence, neon art, cross-genre music, and a dance performance paying tribute to Bruce Lee on the 85th anniversary of his birth.

Four tours of contrasts were also curated by HKTB for delegates – Peak Tram to PMQ that contrasted legendary skyline with creative energy; Palace Museum to Kowloon Walled City that mixed imperial treasures with a urban regeneration gem; Ngong Ping 360 to Tai O that juxtaposed modern engineering with traditional fishing village vibe; and Tai Kwun to Big Bus Tour that showcased colonial heritage alongside cosmopolitan energy.

The HKTB-sponsored destination experiences showcased endless reasons for extending stays to take in more.

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Events

Chinese Mainland’s Largest Conference on Chest Pain Centres Goes Global in Hong Kong

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11 hours ago

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April 9, 2026

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Hong Kong

With robust lineup of medical conventions in 2026

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – Marking yet another milestone as the World’s Meeting Place, Hong Kong became the first city outside Chinese Mainland to host the nation’s largest conference on chest pain centres – the 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress (CCPCC 2026), thanks to the effort of Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) appointed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
Together with two other high-profile and hugely successful medical congresses – the 41st Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in February and the 17th Asian Congress of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in March, Hong Kong’s medical science events space was off to a strong start in 2026.

Ms Marilyn Tham, General Manager of Mega Events, MICE & Cruise of the HKTB said, “Hong Kong’s leading edge in medical sciences coupled with the city’s world-class venues and destination appeal have enabled notable success for internationally significant medical events. CCPCC 2026 is one of the large-scale medical conventions confirmed for 2026. Such robust lineup reflects event organisers’ confidence in Hong Kong as a premier hub for advancing global exchanges on medical sciences.”

Over 10 medical conventions have secured a spot in Hong Kong this year, spanning diverse disciplines, from cytology to oncology, antimicrobial resistance and more (see full list below). The breadth and depth of the events reflects Hong Kong’s growing appeal as the premier convention hub where global medical minds meet.

Globalising Chest Pain Leadership from Hong Kong

Held on 3-4 April 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a concurrent venue in Shenzhen, CCPCC 2026 converged 3,000 healthcare leaders, physicians, nurses, researchers, policymakers and industry experts from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, the Belt and Road countries and beyond. The rich topics explored across two days encompassed cutting-edge healthcare innovations, AI-assisted clinical decision-making, intelligent emergency response systems and international accreditation standards.

Co-organised by Hospital Authority (HA) of Hong Kong, the National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, the Guangdong Chest Pain Centers Association, the Chinese Cardiovascular Association (CCA) and Oriental Huaxia Cardiovascular Health Research Institute (OHCHRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, CCPCC 2026 showcased conducive partnership.

Mr. Wenming Zeng, Secretary-General of OHCHRI, remarked, “The global influence of CCPCC has been growing over the years. Thanks to Hong Kong’s strategic location, leading medical standing and its unique role bridging Chinese Mainland and the world, this year’s congress has drawn even wider global participation, giving the event greater international significance. Hong Kong has helped showcase our event to the world, taking cardiovascular emergency intervention to a new height globally.”

A Launchpad for Mainland-spearheaded International Standards

Capitalising on Hong Kong’s strengths as a super-connector for fostering globalisation, CCPCC 2026 released for the first time the “International Standards on Chest Pain Center Construction and Accreditation”, marking Mainland’s global leadership in cutting-edge cardiovascular emergency intervention. Leveraging Hong Kong’s internationalisation, the efforts to foster global policy support and implementation of the standards will contribute to fair, accessible and timely intervention for cardiovascular emergencies around the world.

Another Significant Win for HKCA Programme on its 5th Anniversary

As a HKTB-appointed HKCA, Prof Lu Shi-Juan, who is a Member of Hainan Medical Association Cardiovascular Professional Committee, played an instrumental role in bringing CCPCC 2026 to Hong Kong. This marked the latest success story of the HKCA programme, as HKTB celebrated the programme’s milestone 5th anniversary with a HKCA Networking Cocktail Event on 31 March, 2026.

Prof Lu noted, “As a Hong Kong International Convention Ambassador, I have worked closely with the HKTB to bring CCPCC to Hong Kong, which is a gateway to the global stage. Hosting the conference here showcases how Hong Kong can elevate Mainland conferences internationally, foster cross‑border knowledge exchange and help shape the future development of the broader medical and professional community.”
The HKCA programme bands together over 170 local and mainland sector leaders of 13 industries and academics to champion Hong Kong as the World’s Meeting Place. Their initiative and connections have helped Hong Kong secure 50 convention wins that have brought in nearly 100,000 high-value overnight MICE visitors.

Strong Medical Events Lineup in 2026

Over 10 medical conventions will be held in 2026 across various disciplines, including ophthalmology, oncology, antimicrobial resistance and cytology.

Event

(*first-ever in Hong Kong)

 Date / Venue Highlights
The 41st Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress 2026 5-8 Feb,

HKCEC

 The largest and most authoritative ophthalmology congress in APAC, returning to HK for the fifth time, with record-breakingattendance of 11,000+ participants from 111 countries and regions.
The 17th Asian Congress on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2026 27-29 Mar,

HKCEC

 Held in Hong Kong for the second time, bringing together internationally acclaimed speakers, globally renowned experts and young surgeons to foster academic exchange and professional development.
The 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress 3-4 Apr,

HKCEC

 Chinese Mainland’s largest conference on chest pain centres, hosted for the first time outside Chinese Mainland.
*Asian Federation of Cytology Societies Conference 2026 8-10 May,

Postgraduate Education Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital

 First edition in Hong Kong, bringing together regional and international cytology experts for academic exchange and collaboration.
International Symposium on Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance 2026 12-14 Jun,

HKCEC

 A key international platform for academic exchange on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
European Society of Medical Oncology Targeted Anticancer Therapies Asia 2026 12-14 Jun,

Kerry Hotel

 A key Asia-Pacific platform for showcasing the latest advances in early-phase oncology drug development, targeted therapies and precision oncology.
Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists Conference 2026 10-13 Aug,

Cheung Kung Hai Conference Centre, The University of Hong Kong

 A major regional scientific meeting in biochemistry and molecular biology, bringing together researchers, educators and professionals from across Asia and Oceania for academic exchange and collaboration.
* 2026 World Cancer Congress 24-26 Sep,

HKCEC

 A leading global forum advancing cancer control and research.
2026 Asia-Pacific Longevity Medicine International Summit 1-4 Oct,

TBC

 A leading international platform and regional collaborative hub dedicated to longevity medicine and innovation, attracting top longevity scientists, medical experts, cross-industry entrepreneurs and investors from over 50 countries.
10th Asia Cornea Society Scientific Meeting 2026 11-13 Dec,

TBC

 A key regional forum for cornea specialists to exchange the latest clinical insights, diagnostics and treatments, and to strengthen collaboration across the Asia-Pacific ophthalmology community.
Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Global Health Conference 2026 7-9 Dec,

Henry Cheng International Conference Centre, CUHK

 Third time in Hong Kong, convening leading academics, policymakers and practitioners to address critical global health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

 

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Energy

Can Equatorial Guinea Reposition as West Africa’s Gas Hub?

Published

2 days ago

on

April 8, 2026

By

Energy Capital

As Equatorial Guinea advances third-party gas agreements and infrastructure plans, its hub ambitions will be showcased at the Invest in African Energy Forum, with Minister Antonio Oburu Ondo and senior industry leaders confirmed to attend

PARIS, France, April 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Equatorial Guinea is moving from strategy to execution in its bid to become a regional gas hub. A series of agreements signed in early 2026 – covering cross-border supply, upstream participation and infrastructure utilization – are positioning the country to monetize gas through existing assets and regional aggregation.

 

This agenda will take center stage at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, where Equatorial Guinea will feature in a dedicated Country Spotlight session led by Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons. With participation from key industry players, including Panoro Energy and Perceptum, EG Ronda bid round organizer, the forum will provide a platform to outline the country’s gas sector repositioning and where investors can engage.

Momentum behind this model has accelerated in recent months. In February 2026, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon signed a unitization agreement to jointly develop the cross-border Yoyo-Yolanda gas fields, estimated to hold around 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. Production from the project is slated to feed directly into Equatorial Guinea’s Punta Europa complex, reinforcing the country’s hub strategy without requiring standalone export infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the government strengthened domestic supply through a Heads of Agreement with Chevron to expand the Aseng gas project, increasing GEPetrol’s stake from 5% to over 30%. This not only stabilizes production but also secures additional feedstock for downstream processing, linking upstream development directly to the hub model.

Rather than focusing on new LNG developments, Equatorial Guinea is aggregating domestic and regional gas volumes to maximize existing infrastructure. At the core of this approach is the Punta Europa complex on Bioko Island, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most advanced gas processing hubs, with LNG, methanol and LPG facilities already in place. The current challenge is securing reliable feedstock as output from legacy fields such as Alba declines.

The Gas Mega Hub initiative offers a faster, more cost-effective route to monetization. By processing third-party volumes from Cameroon, and potentially Nigeria, the country can leverage existing facilities while avoiding the risks and capital intensity of greenfield LNG projects. This approach opens a spectrum of investment opportunities across gas aggregation, transport, processing and downstream integration, often structured through commercially aligned frameworks that reduce execution risk.

Policy and regulatory support are central to this transition. The Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons has prioritized regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation, recognizing that successful hub development depends as much on enabling frameworks as on physical infrastructure. The recent agreements reflect growing clarity and investor confidence.

For the global investment community, IAE 2026 offers a strategic opportunity to engage directly with government and operators shaping the hub model. The participation of both policymakers and companies active in the sector reinforces the credibility and immediate relevance of Equatorial Guinea’s strategy.

Equatorial Guinea is no longer waiting for new discoveries to drive growth. By leveraging existing infrastructure, securing regional supply and building flexible commercial models, the country is positioning itself as a critical node for gas monetization in West Africa. Success here could extend the life of its assets while establishing a platform for regional energy trade.

IAE 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/41nyEZQ) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy

African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) Secretary General Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 as African Energy Bank Eyes June 2026 Debut

Published

2 days ago

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April 8, 2026

By

Energy Capital

APPO Secretary General Farid Ghezali is expected to outline the role of the African Energy Bank in reshaping project financing in Africa during this year’s Angola Oil & Gas 2026 conference

LUANDA, Angola, April 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) will speak at the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition – taking place September 9–10 in Luanda with a pre-conference day on September 8. Ghezali’s participation comes at a pivotal time for Africa’s oil producers, with the anticipated June 2026 launch of the African Energy Bank (AEB) set to create new pathways for projects financing. AOG 2026 will provide a timely platform to discuss how this new institution can support projects in Angola and across the continent.

 

The upcoming debut of the AEB marks a turning point for Africa’s oil and gas financing landscape, creating a new, Africa-led funding institution designed to mobilize capital for strategic projects across the continent. With an initial funding target of $10 billion, the bank’s first phase will focus primarily on financing projects in Angola, Nigeria and Libya – three of Africa’s most significant oil and gas producers. By 2030, the institution is expected to raise up to $15 billion for oil and gas projects, offering a viable domestic financing solution for many countries.

For Angola, the emergence of the AEB could not come at a more critical time. With goals to sustain production above one million barrels per day (bpd), advance upstream exploration campaigns and expand downstream infrastructure, the country is pursuing innovative sources of finance to drive projects forward. While the country’s upstream market is witnessing a $70 billion investment drive, the downstream sector continues to face key challenges around finance. The Lobito Refinery – on track for a 2027 start – is currently seeking $4.8 billion to close its financing gap. With a capacity of 200,000 bpd, the facility will be Angola’s largest upon completion.

Established with an initial capitalization of $5 billion, the AEB is spearheaded by APPO and Afrexibank and is designed to finance upstream, midstream and downstream projects, prioritizing gas-to-power, refining, regional pipelines and integrated infrastructure. Headquartered in Nigeria, the bank’s “Mutual Assured Development” framework emphasizes commercial viability, sovereign benefit and local content compliance, while partnering with over 700 African financial institutions to distribute risk and crowd in private capital.

Beyond project financing, the AEB will support the listing of various African national oil companies (NOC) with a view to strengthen NOC financial capacity and support operational growth. Angola’s NOC Sonangol is preparing for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2027, with 30% of its shares available. The IPO aims to unlock access to a wider capital pool, supporting the NOCs ongoing transition into a competitive upstream player. Platforms such as the AEB could serve as a critical launchpad for Sonangol, highlighting the value of the bank in Africa’s evolving hydrocarbon landscape.

AOG 2026 provides a strategic platform for discussions around the impact of the AEB in Africa’s oil and gas market, bringing together policymakers, project developers, financiers and operators at a time when access to capital has become one of the most important factors determining whether projects move forward. As Africa prepares to launch its first continent-wide energy financing institution, the AEB is set to become one of the most important developments in Africa’s oil and gas sector in recent years – and Ghelazi’s participation at AOG 2026 will place this conversation at the center of the event’s agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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