Inauguration of the IFF 5th Board of Directors
IFF Work Report 2023: Retrospect and Prospect
IFF 20th Anniversary: Vision and Strategies
16:15 - 18:00
1.2 IFF Advisory Committee Meeting (closed-door)
Functions and responsibilities of the Committee
Review the progress of the past five years
Discuss the IFF's vision, strategic objectives, and broad direction for the next five years
16:15 - 18:00
1.3 IFF Academic Committee Meeting (closed-door)
Functions and responsibilities of the Committee
Review the progress of the past five years
Discuss the IFF's research priorities for the next five years
18:30 - 20:00
1.4 Welcome Banquet
19:45 - 21:30
1.6 Green Finance Working Group CEO Meeting (GFWG) (closed-door) Innovation and Cooperation: Global Green Transition and Low Carbon Development
Setting:
Experience sharing of transnational corporations and leading enterprises in promoting green and low-carbon development, especially in terms of innovation and international cooperation
Advice for the future work of the GFWG.
20:30 - 21:30
1.7 IFF Leadership Dialogue I: Global Landscape and Challenges
09:00 - 10:45
2.1 Opening Ceremony I
Opening Remarks by Chinese and international leaders
11:00 - 12:00
2.2 Opening Ceremony II
Launch of Finance 20 (F20): A Tribute to the Future
IFF 5th Board of Directors Announcement
12:00 - 14:00
2.3 Luncheon Dialogue (13:00-13:45) Global Economic Landscape - Challenges and Opportunities
14:00 - 15:30
2.4 Release of IFF Global Finance and Development Report 2023 Global Economic Developments and Outlook - Challenges & Opportunities
Setting:
Release of the IFF Global Finance and Development Report 2023. The year 2023 is witnessing the ordeal tests faced by the world, especially the heighted risks of geopolitical conflicts and deceleration in global economic world growth. Joint efforts are needed to strengthen global cooperation and get the global economy back on a sustainable growth trajectory.
Key Questions:
Characteristics of the global economy in 2023
Outlook for 2024
14:00 - 15:30
2.5 China's Economy: Short Developments and Medium-term Outlook
Setting:
China's economic recovery from the pandemic has attracted worldwide attention since the beginning of 2023. Where is the status of the current recovery? What are the short-term challenges and policy priorities? How can China achieve sustainable, green, and inclusive growth over the long-term?
Focus:
Characteristics of China's economy in 2023
Challenges and policy priorities in 2024 and beyond
14:00 - 15:30
2.6 Geopolitical Developments and Impacts on Trade, Supply Chains and Industrial Policies
Setting:
The world is currently facing radical uncertainties and geoeconomic fragmentation. Why all this? What are their impacts on trade, supply chains and industrial policies? How can countries work together to ensure the benefits of multilateralism, while addressing economic security concerns?
Key Questions:
In the face of the heightened uncertainties in the world economy, what can be done to minimize the impact of fragmentation?
What role can international organizations like WTO play?
What policy adjustments should governments make?
16:00 - 17:30
2.7 The Impact of Fragmentation on the International Monetary and Financial System
Setting:
Heightened global economic fragmentation in the recent years has given rise to the debate on its impact on the international monetary and financial system and the so-called “de-dollarization”. From South America to the Middle East and to Southeast Asia, a number of countries have announced policies aimed at reducing dependence on the US dollar. Many emerging economies have also indicated to settle international trade in their domestic currencies.
Key Questions:
What are the reasons behind these debates?
What are the key challenges facing the international monetary and financial system?
What are the proposals for and prospects of reforming the international monetary and financial system, including the Bretton Woods (IMF and World Bank) and other international organizations?
16:00 - 17:30
2.8 Fostering the Fight Against Climate Change: Regulation and Incentives (co-organize with the Task Force on Carbon Pricing in Europe)
Regulation to foster the fight against global climate change
Market mechanisms to cope with energy transition
16:00 - 17:30
2.9 New Global Rules of ESG
Setting:
The Trustees of the IFRS Foundation announced the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) at COP26 in Glasgow, following strong market demand for its establishment. The ISSB is developing—in the public interest—standards that will result in a high-quality, comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures focused on the needs of investors and the financial markets. On 31st March 2022, ISSB published two draft IFRS sustainability Disclosure Standard (ISDS) for public consultation: Exposure Draft Proposed IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and Exposure Draft Proposed IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. On February 16th, 2023, ISSB decided to require both drafts be effective beginning on or after 1 January 2024.
Key Questions:
-What are the new ISDS requirements for disclosures related to sustainable development and addressing climate change?
Should/can the disclosure requirements be made mandatory at stock exchanges?
What are the implications for China?
18:00 - 20:00
2.10 IFF 20th Anniversary Banquet cum IFF 20th Anniversary Drone Show (19:30-20:00)
20:00 - 21:30
IFF 20th Anniversary Concert
20:00 - 21:30
2.11 IFF Leadership Dialogue II: Global Economy in a Time of Radical Uncertainty
20:00 - 21:30
2.12 IFF Leadership Dialogue III: Global Financial Stability and Risks: What has happened and what's ahead?
08:30 - 09:30
3.1 IFF Leadership Dialogue IV: Challenges Facing Emerging Market and Developing Countries
09:30 - 11:00
3.2 Silk Road International Association (SRIA) Summit I: Belt and Road Initiative – Experiences, Challenges, and Opportunities Co-organized with Silk Road International Association (SRIA)
Setting:
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative. In the past 10 years, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents related to BRI with more than 150 countries and 32 international organizations. Over the past ten years, the BRI has made good progress. Looking ahead, the B&R Initiative will face both challenges and opportunities.
Key Questions:
With the joining of more and more countries and the deepening of international cooperation, what role will BRI play in promoting global sustainable development?
What challenges might it face in the process?
09:30 - 11:00
3.3 The Rise of Asia and Emerging Economies Driving Global Growth
Setting:
IMF projects that economic growth in Asia is expected to rise from 3.8% last year to 4.6% in 2023. Asia is expected to contribute more than 70% to global economic growth this year, while China alone is expected to contribute one third. However, while being the most dynamic region in the world, Asia is also facing many challenges in its efforts to achieve sustainable long-term growth.
Key Questions:
What factors have contributed to Asia's recovery and growth?
How can Asia maintain its growth momentum and remain as the engine of global growth?
What are the risks and challenges facing Asian economies?
09:30 - 11:00
3.4 New Economic Development: Innovation and Prospects of Private Sectors
Setting:
The release of China's Opinions on Promoting the Development and Growth of the Private Economy pointing out that "the private economy is a new force to promote China's modernization and an important foundation for high- quality development, which also serves as a vital force in building China into a modern country in all aspects and achieving the second century goal."
Key Questions:
How to reset reform and innovation in the development of China's private
economy, to build a new era, new economy, and new business development
environment?
How can/should the private sector lead innovation, green development, and high-quality growth?
How should the government support and promote a sustainable and high- quality development of the private economy?
09:30 - 11:00
3.5 Nansha Special Session
11:15 - 12:30
3.6 Silk Road International Association (SRIA) Summit II: Belt and Road Initiative – Experiences, Challenges, and Opportunities Co-organized with Silk Road International Association (SRIA)
Setting:
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative. In the past 10 years, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents related to BRI with more than 150 countries and 32 international organizations. Over the past ten years, the BRI has overcome multiple challenges and has been acclaimed by the world, especially developing countries.
Key Questions:
With the joining of more and more countries and the deepening of international cooperation, what role will BRI play in promoting global sustainable development?
What challenges might it face in the process?
11:15 - 12:30
3.7 Energy Transition & Sustainable Development
Setting:
To address the increasing threat from climate change, sustainable development with energy transition and growth model transformation at the core is advancing rapidly. Energy transition and sustainable development drive the fast-growing transportation, automobile, energy storage and photovoltaic industries. They have also brought about many investment opportunities and new growth momentum.
Key Questions:
What are the new trends and features of the energy transition and sustainable development?
11:15 - 12:30
3.8 Digitalization and Financial Inclusion
Setting:
Promoting inclusive finance and growth is a global challenge. Along with the arrival of the digital era and the development of financial technology, digital technology and inclusive finance have begun to integrate in-depth, marking a new stage in the development of inclusive finance. The digital transformation of financial inclusion has had a revolutionary impact on the business model, risk control, cost management and efficiency of financial inclusion. Innovation has generated new opportunities and new operational and regulatory challenges.
Key Questions:
What are the impacts of digital transformation on financial inclusion?
What are the main constraints to the development of financial inclusion? In what ways does digital transformation present new opportunities? What are the biggest challenges and risks in the digitalization process?
Globally there is a huge gap between the level of development of inclusive finance in urban and rural areas, what positive impact will digital transformation have on bridging the gap between urban and rural inclusive finance and promoting rural development?
11:15 - 12:30
3.9 IFF Working Group Meeting (closed-door)
12:30 - 14:00
3.10 Luncheon Dialogue (13:00-13:45) Globalization - Outlook and Challenges
14:00 - 15:30
3.11 IFF Academic Roundtable I: Revitalization & Cooperation in a Fragmenting Global Economy (close-door)
Setting:
The global economy is facing the challenge of fragmentation, which has weakened the efficiency of the global economy, increased production costs, and contributed to inflationary pressures. Fragmentation not only affects the global investment layout, but also has a significant impact on the international trade of some developing countries.
Key Questions:
What are the reasons and implications of global economic fragmentation? How can we cooperate to revitalize the global economy? What is the future of globalization?
How should countries work together and strengthen cooperation on issues of common interest, such as climate change, global debt, and global public health crisis, to address the challenges of fragmentation?
14:00 - 15:30
3.12 The Integrated Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area I: Leading High-Quality Development
Setting:
Building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a great initiative to promote the formation of the new pattern of all-round opening up of China in the new era. Accelerating connectivity of infrastructure and rules is necessary for building the Greater Bay Area into a strategic fulcrum of the new development paradigm, a demonstration area of high-quality development, and a leader in the Chinese path to modernization. The governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have announced a list of GBA Standards covering a total of 110 items in relevant sectors. Promoting the development of GBA Standards can improve interconnectivity and high-quality integrated development of the area.
Key Questions:
What are the achievements in 2023 and goals in 2024 for Guangdong Province, as well as other cities in the GBA, in promoting the high-quality development of the area? This can be a side forum for governments' policy announcement in the GBA.
14:00 - 15:30
3.13 Climate Change and Financing—What to Expect from COP28?
Setting:
Facing emerging crisis of climate change, energy and crop, governments must invest more in addressing climate change. However, as emerging economies generally face difficulties in climate financing and investing in climate projects is hardly profitable in reality, governments, international organizations and private sectors should be playing a more active role to promote climate investment and financing and deal with the crisis of climate change.
Key Questions:
What are the tracks and fields of climate investment and financing that have commercial value and investment opportunities?
What measures should the government introduce to promote climate investment and financing? What financial instruments can financial institutions use and innovate?
14:00 - 15:30
3.14 Global Capital Market: Changes and Prospects
Setting:
The year 2023 has witnessed a great pressure on the global capital markets. The Fed and ECB's tightening monetary policy of high interest rates has weighed on the global capital markets. Earlier in the year, some regional banks in the United States were at a risk of deposits run against the backdrop of a high interest rate, and a number of developing countries also experienced outflow pressures. Geopolitical risks, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have also driven up the risk aversion appetite of investors. Moreover, China's economy is also facing debt risks from real estate and local government financing platforms.
Key Questions:
Looking ahead to 2024, will global capital markets be able to resolve existing risks? Where are new market risks likely to emerge? How can the world respond to these challenges? What are the opportunities for global capital markets? What are the policies, investment opportunities and outlook for opening China's capital markets to foreign investment?
16:00 - 17:30
3.15 IFF Academic Roundtable II: Revitalization & Cooperation in a Fragmenting Global Economy (close-door)
Setting:
The global economy is facing the challenge of fragmentation, which has weakened the efficiency of the global economy, increased production costs, and contributed to inflationary pressures. Fragmentation not only affects the global investment layout, but also has a significant impact on the international trade of some developing countries.
Key Questions:
What are the reasons and implications of global economic fragmentation? How can we cooperate to revitalize the global economy? What is the future of globalization?
How should countries work together and strengthen cooperation on issues of common interest, such as climate change, global debt, and global public health crisis, to address the challenges of fragmentation?
16:00 - 17:30
3.16 The integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area II -- Investment, Trading and Risk Prevention of Digital Assets
Setting:
Digital assets will promote fast development of digital finance, as well as bring about new management, trade and investment mode. This is a new challenge facing monetary authorities. Hong Kong and Singapore are pioneers in trade, investment and management of digital assets.
Key Questions:
What are the new risks in the confirmation, trade and supervision of digital assets in the future?
What new trends will there be in the field of digital assets?
16:00 - 17:30
3.17 IFF Special Dialogue: Reforming of MDBs and International Financing Architecture
16:00 - 17:30
3.18 IFF Working Group Meeting (closed-door)
18:00 - 19:30
3.19 IFF Global Green Finance Award Ceremony cum Closing Reception
19:30 - 20:30
3.20 Special Dialogue: AI and Prospect
Setting:
In March 2023, Goldman Sachs released a report predicting that 300 million jobs worldwide will be replaced by generative AI. On the International Labor Day, May 1, of this year, the first wave of unemployment caused by AI arrived. Tech giant IBM announced the suspension of the recruitment plan of 7,800 people, claiming that these positions will be replaced by AI.
Key Questions:
What are the recent developments with AI and other technologies? What is the future of AI?
How will AI affect the labor market and the economy at large?
What can we do to make the best use of AI, while minimizing its pitfalls?
