SDSN Launches the GBA-ASEAN Initiative with a High-Level Conference in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

On October 31 and November 1, 2025, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) launched the Greater Bay Area-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Initiative (GAI), a new multi-year flagship program hosted by the SDSN and its partners in Asia.

The program began with a two-day conference in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, bringing together hundreds of business leaders, scholars, and government officials of the Greater Bay Area in China (GBA). The region comprises 11 cities in southern China: the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. This cluster recently rose to the top of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) as the #1 innovation cluster in the world, outranking Tokyo–Yokohama and San Jose–San Francisco (Silicon Valley). Many speakers at the conference noted that this development made the launch especially relevant and well-timed.

The SDSN aims to connect this rapidly growing region with the wider network of Southeast Asian countries. These areas already have extensive cultural and economic ties, but, with the growing uncertainty about the United States’ role in the global economy, it has never been more important to build connections at the grassroots level. This includes, for example, student and faculty exchanges among universities in the GBA and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as at the highest corporate level, such as by establishing offices and factories in neighboring countries.

The initiative aims to fill the existing gap in technological and informational exchange between ASEAN and China. By facilitating political, business, and academic dialogue and conducting rigorous research, it aims to strengthen cross-border investment and financial cooperation to fuel sustainable growth and development.

Day One | October 31, 2025 | Hong Kong

Opening Remarks

On Day One of the GBA-ASEAN Conference, outstanding leaders from government, business, and academia delivered opening remarks. ZHANG Xiang, President of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), highlighted HKU’s new initiatives, including a 10-year vision to become a world-leading university. Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury from the government of the Hong Kong SAR, underscored Hong Kong’s financial strengths and its role as a super connector between mainland China and international markets. Kim Hourn Kao, Secretary General of ASEAN, discussed the region’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation. Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of the TPC Group, stressed the importance of well-being and regional collaboration. Finally, Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor at Columbia University and President of SDSN, emphasized the GBA’s role as a global innovation hub and the need for green and digital growth.

Philo Wang, Senior Manager at SDSN, followed with a detailed introduction to this initiative and the background behind this conference. She explained that the idea emerged during a conversation with Prof. Sachs and his wife, Sonia, about the unique dynamics of the GBA and the enormous economic potential of ASEAN. Recognizing the synergies between these regions, they began exploring how to build stronger bridges between GBA and ASEAN, and what SDSN could contribute to this effort. After a year of consultations with regional partners, two main pillars were identified for the initiative: building a collaborative network and supporting policy and research. Wang emphasized that the conference serves as a starting point, a platform to gather insights, understand regional needs, and shape future collaboration.

Following the insightful opening speeches, the first day’s discussions in Hong Kong explored sustainable development and innovative financing methods through a business and policy focus.

Panel 1: The GBA-ASEAN Business Leadership Dialogue

The first panel explored the collaboration between the GBA and ASEAN to drive sustainable growth. ZHANG Haimeng, Vice President of LONGi Solar, highlighted that solar energy has become the lowest-cost electricity globally, with solar plus battery storage becoming the most affordable form of electricity. Daniel Fung, Vice Chairman of Financial Services Development Council Hong Kong, discussed Hong Kong’s strategic role as a green finance hub, noting the shift towards renminbi for oil and the potential for digital currencies. Grace Fung Oei, Chairperson of Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong, emphasized the role of Ronald McDonald House Charities in supporting families with seriously ill children, leveraging blockchain technology for efficient donation distribution. Together, the panelists emphasized the need for accelerated solar expansion in ASEAN to achieve decarbonization goals.

Panel 2: Financing for Development in Asia

The second panel, “Financing for Development in Asia,” examined innovative financing to strengthen GBA-ASEAN collaboration for sustainable development. P.C. Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, pointed out the importance of trust, transparency, and viable business models. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice President (Global) of HKU, highlighted government roles in identifying market failures and facilitating economic and environmental transformation. Philip Hu, founding member and managing director of Primavera Capital, presented case studies of successful energy transition projects, including Envision's wind farm in Laos and GoTo's Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud infrastructure in Indonesia. Rajiv Lall, Professorial Research Fellow at the Singapore Green Finance Centre, Singapore Management University (SMU), stressed the need for blended finance and institutional innovations to better support state-owned enterprises. The panel concluded that Hong Kong's position as a regional financial hub is instrumental in facilitating cross-border investments and deploying innovative financial instruments to accelerate Asia's transition to a low-carbon economy.

Panel 3: A Global Sustainable Development Network Towards 2050

Moderated by Vice-President of Networks, Maria Cortes-Puch, this panel brought together four SDSN network leaders to showcase concrete, locally driven projects advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDSN Switzerland discussed initiatives focused on citizen engagement and sustainable food systems; SDSN Bolivia presented its data-driven urban policy work through the Municipal SDG Index developed with SDSN’s SDG Transformation Center; SDSN Thailand outlined its “Reimagining Universities” initiative, including a study group that convenes university leaders to examine how higher education institutions can contribute to sustainable development; and SDSN Great Lakes highlighted a regional initiative focused on sustainable cold chains and food security.

Panel 4: Human Capital as the Engine for Economic Growth, Sustainability, Peace, and Cross-national Collaboration

This panel discussed the role of higher education in fostering economic collaboration and cultural exchange between ASEAN and the GBA. Discussions centered on the importance of human capital investment, innovation, and forward-looking academic programming. Panelists highlighted initiatives such as the University Grants Committee's Fund for Innovative Technology in Education, HKU's Asia Global Fellows program, and internationalization efforts at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City also described its strategy for international research collaboration and policy impact. SMU's overseas centers were praised for advancing thought leadership and creating immersive opportunities for students. The session underscored the need for authentic partnerships to deepen regional collaboration and advance sustainable development.

Day Two | November 1, 2025 | Shenzhen

Opening Remarks

The second day in Shenzhen began with discussions on China's commitment to openness and international cooperation. During the opening speeches, ZHENG Yongnian, President of the Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai, emphasized the importance of unilateral opening and the creation of a China-ASEAN common market. Then, Alan Chan, Provost of Singapore Management University, discussed integrating digital transformation with sustainable development, particularly in the areas of urban development and workforce resilience. Chavalit Frederick TSAO, Chairman of TPC Group, highlighted the cultural and economic significance of Shenzhen. To conclude, Prof. Sachs underscored the GBA's global leadership in innovation, particularly in new energy and AI, and called for inclusive planning and a common China-ASEAN market.

In the following panel discussions, participants turned their focus to technology, innovation, and the future of industry cooperation throughout the region.

Panel 1: Business Pathway Towards Regional Cooperation

This panel examined business-driven pathways to regional cooperation in finance, clean technology, and green infrastructure, underscoring the strategic importance of the GBA and ASEAN. Patrick Zhong, Founding Managing Partner of M31 Capital, emphasized the GBA's unique innovation ecosystem, including hardware, software, supply chain, and AI. Pan Liang, Chief Sustainability Expert from BYD, shared insights into the company's expansion in ASEAN, particularly in Thailand, and the integration of new energy vehicles. CHENG Zhiqiang, Chief Cooperation Officer of Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), highlighted the need for greater policy, market, and regulatory alignment to support energy transformation. WANG Xiaoshen, Vice Chairman and President of Ganfeng Lithium Group, underscored the critical role of lithium batteries in energy storage and the potential for electric vehicles in heavy-duty transport.

Panel 2: A United Asia for Sustainable Development

This panel explored both the progress and challenges of advancing the SDGs in Asia. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, highlighted China's transformation, emphasizing political will, strong public policies, and effective partnerships. Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, noted Indonesia's progress, with 62% of SDG indicators on track, and emphasized the importance of the energy transition, blue economy, and private sector partnerships. ZHANG Jianyu, Executive Director of the BRI Green Development Institute, discussed the Belt and Road Initiative's role in promoting green development and regional integration. Panelists collectively emphasized the need for a Marshall Plan 2.0 for Asia, leveraging public-private partnerships and South-South cooperation to achieve SDGs by 2030.

Panel 3: Protecting World Welfare Threatened by Deglobalisation

The panel, “Protecting World Welfare Threatened by Deglobalisation,” discussed the challenges posed by rising deglobalization, focusing in particular on the trade war between the U.S. and China. Key themes included the historical context of globalization, the economic impact of the trade tensions, and their implications for technological advancements. Panelists emphasized the growing importance of regionalization, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the role of middle powers such as Europe in maintaining global stability. They also stressed the need for global regulation for AI and climate change and highlighted opportunities for easing trade tensions through increased cooperation and trust-building.

Panel 4: Al Governance in the GBA-ASEAN

This discussion on AI governance underscored the urgency of establishing new rules and tools for managing rapid technological changes. Panelists noted the rapid pace of AI adoption — citing, for example, the explosive early uptake of ChatGPT — and discussed associated risks such as job replacement, data privacy concerns, and cybersecurity threats. They highlighted the need for international cooperation, suggesting a global AI governance framework. They also discussed the need for fair AI training data, effective government regulation, and the potential for AI to create new jobs. The session concluded with a call for responsible AI use and international collaboration to mitigate risks and ensure shared benefits.

The importance of the personal connections developed amongst participants during tea breaks and lunches cannot be overstated. These informal interactions allowed high-level participants and speakers to exchange perspectives on the future of the GBA region, as well as their hopes and concerns about its evolving relationship with ASEAN.

The SDSN extends its deep gratitude to its partners, without whom this launch would not have been possible. Special thanks to the University of Hong Kong and the Institute of International Affairs, Qianhai. We would like to thank the Shenzhen Nanshan District Government, Go Global Center, TPC Group/ No.17 Foundation, Sino Group, and HK-ASEAN Foundation. The SDSN is also deeply grateful to its hotel sponsors, The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Nanshan Shangri-La, for hosting the guests and the conference activities.

Although the initiative focuses on the GBA and ASEAN, people worldwide must engage with the policy insights, business strategies, and academic programs that emerge from this multi-year project.

Learn more by visiting the GBA-ASEAN Initiative website.