HKU-Belgium Sustainability Conference 2025
About the conference
The conference is a one-day event allowing knowledge exchange between Belgium and Hong Kong as well as between academia and the world of practice.
The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute and the Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong and Macau partner to co-organize the HKU-Belgium 2025 Sustainability Conference. The conference will aim to foster knowledge exchange between Hong Kong and Belgium as well as between academics and practitioners.
The conference is designed to serve as a knowledge exchange platform between Belgium and Hong Kong, fostering dialogue not only between these two regions but also bridging academia and industry to address challenges and share solutions related to sustainability and sustainable governance. It will bring together leading scholars and executives from Belgium and Hong Kong to facilitate meaningful collaboration and insight.
* Please be reminded that due to the high volume of registration, we send you a confirmation on a closer date regarding your on-site participation.
Programme
Sessions |
Time |
Activity |
Session 1 GREEN FIRMS |
09:00 |
Registration |
|
09:20 |
Welcome speeches: Consul General of Belgium and ESG Institute Director |
|
|
09:30 |
Academic Keynote Speaker ESG After the Hype |
|
|
10:10 |
Presentation The Biodiversity Impact of Renewable Energy |
|
Tea Break |
10:40 |
Tea Break |
Session 2 SUSTAINABILITY IN ASSET MANAGEMENT |
11:00 |
Presentation How Green is Green? Anatomy of ESG Funds' Selection |
|
11:20 |
Presentation The Artificially Intelligent Proxy Advisor |
|
|
11:40 |
Industry Panel Green Mandates: Aligning Capital with Sustainable Goals
|
|
Lunch Break |
12:30 |
Lunch A Taste of Hong Kong Food |
Session 3 SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACT |
13:50 |
Presentation TBA |
|
14:10 |
Presentation Ugly Food: Drivers of Cosmetic Standards and Implications on Food Waste |
|
|
14:40 |
Industry Panel From Extraction to Emission: Greening Energy in the Supply Chain |
|
Tea Break |
15:30 |
Tea Break
|
Session 4 PUBLIC AND SOCIAL SECTORS | 15:50 | Keynote Speaker |
16:10 | Presentation The Role of Social Value in Contracting | |
16:30 | Presentation The Strategic Side of Charity: Evidence from M&As | |
16:50 | Presentation TBA | |
Reception | 17:30 | Cocktail reception A Taste of Hong Kong Beer |
End of conference | 18:00 | End of conference |
Welcome Speeches
David Lomastro
Consul General
Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong
Guojun He
Director
HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
Academic Keynote
ESG After the Hype
Henri Servaes
Professor Henri Servaes is a leading expert in corporate finance, currently teaching at London Business School. He also serves as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research and a Research Associate at the European Corporate Governance Institute.
His research focuses on corporate finance, governance, social responsibility, and mutual funds. His work has appeared in top journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies, earning several prestigious awards. In 2005, he was featured in the Financial Times series “Gurus of the Future.”
Professor Servaes has presented at major finance conferences and over 100 universities globally. He has held academic positions at the University of Chicago, KU Leuven, Duke University, and UNC Chapel Hill.
He has also consulted for leading firms including Barclays, PwC, and Deutsche Bank, with his insights cited in The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times.
Industry Keynote
Niraj Nanda
Mr. Niraj Nanda is Chief Commercial Officer at Anglo-Eastern, where he leads commercial strategy, sales, marketing, communications, and ESG reporting. With nearly 30 years at the company, Niraj brings deep industry insight and a strong commitment to client partnerships.
He began his career at sea, rising to the rank of Master, before transitioning ashore in 2009 and relocating to Hong Kong in 2016. Niraj oversees client reporting for a fleet of 750 vessels and has played a key role in expanding crew management to over 250 vessels.
As General Manager of Anglo-Eastern India, he led crewing operations and facilitated over 2,000 global seafarer recruitments annually. He also helped establish the cadet academy and directed the Trainees Division, supporting thousands of active trainees each year.
In 2018, Niraj was a top finalist for the CrewConnect Global Industry Awards’ “Young Person of the Year,” recognizing his leadership and impact in maritime operations.
Academics Presentations 1
The Biodiversity Impact of Renewable Energy
Professor Thomas Schmid
How Green is Green? Anatomy of ESG Funds' Selection
Professor Dunhong Jin
The Artificially Intelligent Proxy Advisor
Professor Maxime Couvert
INDUSTRY PANEL 1
Green Mandates: Aligning Capital with Sustainable Goals
Academics Presentations 2
To be announced
Professor Shipeng Yan
Ugly Food: Divers of Cosmetic Standards and Implications on Food Waste
Professor Pascale Crama
INDUSTRY PANEL 2
From Extraction to Emission: Green Energy in the Supply Chain
Academics Presentations 3
The Role of Social Value in Contracting
Professor Jim Goldman
The Strategic Side of Charity: Evidence from M&As
Professor Cara Vansteenkiste
To be announced
Professor Marieke Huysentruyt
Making this conference possible
