# Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems 2025 Symposium In collaboration with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Strategic Partner of the World Economic Forum ## Financial Services for the Intelligent Age The symposium took place on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 in Hong Kong SAR, China. Convening over 150 participants and media under the theme Financial Services for the Intelligent Age, select global decision-makers addressed the most pressing topics facing the financial systems across 14 dynamic sessions. **170+** Participants and media **24** Countries represented **14** Dynamic sessions ## Livestreamed sessions The full day of programming included 14 dynamic sessions and five were livestreamed and open to media. ## Featured Content ### Funding Innovation The role of financial institutions in meeting evolving client needs has never been greater. Last year, R&D spending in China surpassed US$495 billion, and venture investment in the US exceeded US$208 billion. What strategies are financial institutions implementing to pursue new opportunities in energy, manufacturing, and tech to meet these evolving needs? What will innovative investments look like under today's macroeconomic uncertainty and market volatility? ### Innovating for Longevity Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. ### Financial Innovation - Powered By AI And Emerging Tech Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. ### Retail Investing On The Rise Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. ### Financing Growth For The Intelligent Age Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. ## Report launches In addition to exploring AI and emerging technologies, funding innovation, and financing growth, the event featured two World Economic Forum report launches on retail investing and the longevity economy. ## Featured Content ### 2024 Global Retail Investor Outlook The 2024 Global Retail Investor Outlook, developed by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group and Robinhood Markets, explores the latest trends shaping retail investor behaviour. Based on a survey of 13,000 investors across 13 countries, it highlights key structural shifts, including expanded access to varied financial products, AI-driven platforms and demographic changes fuelling new market participation. The report spotlights the new wave of retail investors from traditionally underserved groups, including younger people, individuals from emerging markets and women. ### Future-Proofing the Longevity Economy: Innovations and Key Trends Building on the Longevity Economy Principles, this white paper synthesizes five key trends shaping the future of the longevity economy: building resilient public retirement systems; transitioning from savings accumulation to decumulation; enhancing the role of employers in financial well-being; addressing the economics of caregiving and long-term care; and supporting financial pathways for economic growth.Without bold action, the world risks financial instability, overwhelmed care systems and a workforce unprepared for the future. By highlighting scalable innovations, the paper emphasizes the need for governments, businesses and civil society to act now to create systems that enable people of all generations to thrive. ## In the news Explore press releases and articles to learn more about the symposium's impact and insights. ### Unprecedented amount of uncertainty impacting near-term projections: WEF CNA [Read here](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/unprecedented-amount-uncertainty-impacting-near-term-projections-wef-5024586) ### Global investors explore trade, business opportunities at WEF's financial services event in Hong Kong CGTN [Read here](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-28/Investors-seek-opportunities-at-WEF-financial-services-event-in-HK-1C6NRgm74SQ/p.html) ### A third of Gen Z invest by ‘early adulthood’, poll finds Financial Times [Read here](https://www.ft.com/content/fe28b535-0a92-42c2-90fc-50f1bee2dabc) ### AI is transforming finance, CFOs say. Here's how World Economic Forum [Read here](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/ai-transforming-finance-cfo-insights/)