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.
SESSION
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?
session
Innovating for Longevity
session
Financial Innovation - Powered By AI And Emerging Tech
session
Retail Investing On The Rise
session
Financing Growth For The Intelligent Age
report
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.
report
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.