IATA World Sustainability Symposium to be held in Hong Kong

IATA to host World Sustainability Symposium 2025 in Hong Kong

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the third World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) in Hong Kong SAR, China, on 21–22 October 2025. The event, hosted by Cathay Pacific, will bring together representatives from the aviation, energy, finance, and policy sectors to discuss progress toward the industry’s target of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Ronald Lam, Cathay Group CEO, said: “As the IATA World Sustainability Symposium is held in Asia for the first time, we welcome Hong Kong’s selection as host location and Cathay Pacific’s role as host airline. Collaboration across sectors and regulators is essential for aviation to achieve its decarbonization goals. Events such as this provide a platform for dialogue and progress, particularly in building the ecosystem for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), where Hong Kong has the potential to play an important role in Asia.”

Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, added: “Airlines remain committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but wider support is needed from policymakers, aerospace manufacturers, and fuel producers. This event is a call for all stakeholders in air transport to address barriers and help accelerate the energy transition.”

The timing of the Symposium follows the 42nd ICAO Assembly, where the industry is advocating stronger government policies to support SAF and CORSIA, and precedes COP30, which will focus on turning pledges into actions. The Symposium will focus on:

• Expanding SAF production

• Attracting financing for decarbonization

• Integrating new technology developments

• Increasing collaboration across the value chain

The event will open with remarks from Ronald Lam, CEO of the Cathay Group, and Mable Chan, Secretary of Transport & Logistics for the Hong Kong SAR Government, followed by a conversation between Patrick Healy, Chair of the Cathay Group, and Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Speakers will include Jun Ma (Hong Kong Green Finance Association), Fabiano Piccino (Kuehne+Nagel), Jouk Boeye (HSBC), Christopher Au (WTW), and Ayesha Choudhury (Infinium).

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist, said: “The WSS provides a platform where airlines and stakeholders can align on the policies and measures needed to advance financial and environmental sustainability. Decarbonizing aviation is part of the global energy transition, and requires a holistic approach across policy, energy, finance, agriculture and technology.”