The HKIA Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 successfully held on Feb 28 and Mar 1, 2025 - Day 1

On February 28, 2025, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) inaugurated The HKIA Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Themed "Cultiversal - The Tapestry of Cultural Diversity & Universality”, the symposium gathered distinguished architects and experts from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas cities to explore the future of architecture and urban development.

During the opening ceremony, HKIA President Ar. Julia Lau, CStJ, JP, The Guest of Honour The Honourable Ms. Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, HKSAR Government, Ar. Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road, HKSAR Government, Ar. Regina Gonthier, President of UIA, Ar. Saifuddin Bin Ahmad, President of ARCASIA, and Academician Meng Jianmin, Vice President of the Architectural Society of China delivered opening remarks, expressing their anticipation for future architectural developments and extending a warm welcome to all participants.

Following the opening, keynote speakers, including Mr. Ma Yansong, founder and principal partner of MAD Architects, Ar. Dr. Rocco Yim, BBS, JP, Principal, Rocco Design Architects Ltd, Ar. Emre Arolat, Founding & Design Partner of EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture, and Ar. Gaetan Siew, Special Envoy to UN Habitat, shared their insights and experiences in architecture, stimulating thoughtful discussions among attendees.

The two panel discussions on the first day also garnered positive feedback from participants. Panel A, moderated by Prof. Thomas Chung, Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, focused on the theme "Co-existence: Urban-rural Integration and Eco-urbanism”. Panel speakers, including Ar. KS Wong, GBS, JP, Former Secretary for the Environment, HKSAR Government, Prof. David Erdman from Pratt Institute, and Dr. Shan Liang, Managing Director of Shenzhen Urban Planning and Land Resource Research Center, delved into the challenges and developments in urban-rural integration and ecological cities.

Panel B, themed "Contradiction: Urban Regeneration and Heritage & Modernity," was moderated by Ar. Donald Choi, JP, Adjunct Professor at the University of Hong Kong. Guest speakers, including Ar. Christopher Law Kin Chung, JP, founder director of the Oval Partnership, and Mr. Matthew Potter, director of WilkinsonEyre (Hong Kong), shared their practical experiences, analysing how to balance historical preservation with modern demands in urban development.

Additionally, an exhibition showcasing various architectural projects and innovative designs related to the Belt & Road Initiative was held during the symposium, attracting significant attention from attendees.