Hong Kong’s First Youth Development Summit Inspires Global Youth to ‘Set Sail for New Horizons’

Berita Baru, Hong Kong – The Youth Development Summit, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, commenced today, drawing the participation of over 2,400 young people, including approximately 500 from Mainland China and other countries such as Singapore, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The summit marks the beginning of the 2024 Youth Festival and centers around the theme “Set Sail for New Horizons.” The event brought together policymakers from various regions, business leaders, technological innovators, creative industry experts, young entrepreneurs, and representatives from youth organizations as guest speakers, creating a vibrant platform for exchange and inspiration.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, officiated the summit’s opening ceremony. In his remarks, Mr. Lee emphasized the vital role of youth in shaping the future and reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to youth development. He highlighted the pride of Hong Kong in its young athletes, who have achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, winning two gold medals and two bronze medals for the city.

“Beyond the medals, each athlete has shown remarkable determination, relentless effort, passionate energy, and a strong sense of teamwork—qualities that embody the spirit of Hong Kong. While not everyone can be an Olympic champion, we all have the potential to be champions in our own stories,” Mr. Lee said as quoted from the official website of the Hong Kong government.

“We can all embody the Olympic motto—’Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together’—in our personal pursuits. I firmly believe that Hong Kong is an ideal place to make that happen.”

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki also spoke at the summit, sharing the government’s strategic direction and significant progress in promoting youth development across various sectors of society.

In the thematic sessions, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, underscored Hong Kong’s abundance of opportunities, where individuals with diverse talents and ambitions can fully realize their potential and pursue their dreams.