Hong Kong is set to host the 16th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) on 16 and 17 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the event explicitly aligned to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's first "Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong" and the latest Policy Address. Organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the conference carries significance beyond the usual industry gathering: it signals how policy directives are being translated into sector-level strategy.
The stakes are high for Hong Kong's economy. Jacky Chung, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the event expects around 80 speakers and more than 2,300 participants from over 40 countries and regions, and he framed the conference as a platform for advancing high-value-added supply chain services and green energy development. Chung noted that amid geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and the accelerating transition to sustainable development, the HKTDC will continue to align with national and HKSAR Government policies while leveraging the city's strengths in financial, technology, arbitration and mediation services. He also described Hong Kong's port as upgrading from a "traditional major port" to a "value-added port," with ambitions to become a key maritime hub connecting South China with South America.
The policy alignment is the clearest signal of intent. By tying ALMAC to the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan, the conference positions the logistics, maritime and aviation sectors as central to the city's economic development agenda and to its "four centres and one hub" role. The presence of John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, for a special address on the second day, and Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, for opening remarks on the first, underscores the level of official backing. Jennifer Nordquist, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, will discuss supply chain resilience, highlighting how governments and businesses can collaborate to reduce global trade uncertainties.
The event's thematic focus on supply chain development, Silk Road Maritime and green energy reflects the pressures reshaping global commerce. Speakers from the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the WTO, JD Logistics and SF Supply Chain will explore strategies for a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive trading system. A first-time seminar on Silk Road Maritime, now incorporated into the National 15th Five-Year Plan, will examine how the platform—with 160 designated routes across 153 ports in 50 countries and regions—can enhance connectivity and supply chain stability. Green energy sessions will feature executives from UPS, DHL Express, Hong Kong and China Gas, and Rystad Energy.
The conference also serves as a showcase for Hong Kong's wider service strengths. The LSCM Shipping Summit will delve into the Port Community System and blockchain applications, while the "Hong Kong's NextGen Logistician Awards 2026" will recognise young professionals. With close to 100 exhibitors and more than 400 business-matching sessions held last year, ALMAC reinforces Hong Kong's role as a "superconnector." The HKTDC's broader mission is supported by its global network, including offices worldwide and its organisation of international exhibitions and conferences. For the sector, the message is clear: Hong Kong intends to move beyond moving goods faster toward moving goods more reliably, sustainably and with greater value.
