ReThink Forum
Powering the Digital Future: Driving Sustainable Growth of Digital Infrastructure in Hong Kong
10 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 15:20 – 16:10
As Hong Kong seeks to strengthen its position as a leading AI hub, the opportunity extends beyond expanding infrastructure capacity – it is about ensuring that digital infrastructure can scale in a way that supports the city’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Across the Asia-Pacific region, the data centre industry is already taking proactive steps to embed sustainability into the design, construction and operation of digital infrastructure, and working collaboratively with governments to develop practical sustainability frameworks and transparent performance metrics. This includes initiatives such as the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) – the first APAC-wide, industry-led baseline of sustainability commitments for the data centre sector – which is helping to establish common sustainability principles and promote the sharing of best practices across the region. These experiences offer valuable lessons as Hong Kong considers how best to support the next phase of AI-enabled growth.
Bringing together leaders from government, utilities, investors and the data centre industry, this session will explore how public and private sector collaboration can enable sustainable digital infrastructure for the AI era. Panelists will discuss how Hong Kong can foster an enabling policy environment that supports innovation, attracts investment, advances sustainability objectives and strengthens the city’s position as a leading digital economy.
Session Learnings:
- Understand the proactive measures the government and industry are taking to enable sustainable digital infrastructure for the AI era in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Explore how energy efficiency, clean energy, water stewardship and circular economy practices can be embedded across data centre lifecycle, including through industry-led sustainable commitments as embodied by SDIA.
- Learn how coordinated policy and industry collaboration can support AI growth while reducing regulatory fragmentation and encouraging long-term investment.
Post-Event Actions:
- Identify opportunities for collaboration between government, utilities and industry to accelerate sustainable digital infrastructure initiatives in Hong Kong.
- Consider how international best practices and industry-led initiatives, like the SDIA, can inform future sustainability and digital infrastructure policies.
- Explore practical approaches to developing coherent, investment-friendly regulatory frameworks that support AI growth while advancing Hong Kong’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
Speakers
Moderator
Matthew Chan
APDCA Secretariat and Partner, Flint Global
APDCA Secretariat and Partner, Flint Global
Matthew Chan
APDCA Secretariat and Partner, Flint Global
APDCA Secretariat and Partner, Flint Global
Matthew is a seasoned leader in business strategy, policy and regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. He joined Flint from J.P. Morgan, where he established the firm’s Corporate Sustainability function across the Asia Pacific region, aligning the firm’s climate and sustainability strategy across 17 markets, building internal capacity, and driving ESG governance. Previously, Matt held senior roles at ASIFMA, leading Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, and held business, product and strategy positions at DTCC, Cadbury Schweppes, and PepsiCo. Before transitioning to the private sector in 2002, Matt served as a business and policy adviser within the Australian Federal Government and worked as a qualified engineer in the management of public assets and infrastructure.
Speaking at 2026 sessions:
Day 1
Powering the Digital Future: Driving Sustainable Growth of Digital Infrastructure in Hong Kong
Ir. Laurence Kwan
Chief Engineer
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Ir. Laurence Kwan
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Chief Engineer
Ir KWAN has been working in the building services engineering field for over 25 years with involvement in wide range of government building projects and hospital projects. He is currently a Chief Engineer in the Energy Efficiency Office of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department responsible to oversee the law enforcement of Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, implement of various government-led district cooling projects, administrate fresh water cooling tower scheme and lead various initiatives such as retro-commissioning and energy-saving retrofit to promote energy conservation for the Hong Kong’s built environment.
Vivian Leung
Director – Asset Management
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
Vivian Leung
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
Director – Asset Management
Speaking at 2026 sessions:
Day 1
Powering the Digital Future: Driving Sustainable Growth of Digital Infrastructure in Hong Kong
Max Parry
VP of Growth and Emerging Markets
Equinix
Max Parry
Equinix
VP of Growth and Emerging Markets
Max Parry is responsible for Equinix’s strategy, growth and operations across six markets: India, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. These countries are among the fastest-growing data center markets and are home to around a quarter of the global population.
Max assumed this role in late 2025 after five years leading Business Development for Equinix Asia-Pacific. In this role, Max focused on expanding strategic customer ecosystems, driving interconnection growth and enabling new market entry across the region. During this period, Equinix’s APAC interconnection revenue rose by over 60%. In 2023, Max also served as interim Managing Director for Equinix’s Hong Kong business.
Max joined Equinix in 2020 from British Telecom, where he was Strategy Director for its Global division. He has over 20 years of experience in strategy and transformation for global telecom, media, and technology businesses, including seven years in consulting. Max holds a master’s degree in English Literature and Management Studies from the University of Cambridge. He has also led WeAreEquinix for APAC, Equinix’s program to build culture and community in each local market.
Speaking at 2026 sessions:
Day 1
Powering the Digital Future: Driving Sustainable Growth of Digital Infrastructure in Hong KongSupported by
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Booth F30
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has two functional arms – Regulatory Services and Trading Services – to provide E&M services for enhancing the safety and quality of life of Hong Kong. Its core functions include regulating electrical, gas, mechanical and railways safety; implementing energy efficiency and conservation programmes; and utilities monitoring. The department also provides engineering services to other government departments, helping to support infrastructure and public services. EMSD commits to enhance service excellence, ensure public safety, and support a green and innovative Hong Kong through professional and reliable engineering solutions.
Our sustainability goals for 2026:
- To take pride in ourselves as a responsible organisation that helps build a better environment.
- To endeavour to develop new quality productive forces and enhance work efficiency by utilising innovation and technology to streamline workflow.
- To take all reasonable and practicable measures to conserve resources, adopt e-workflow, minimise waste generation and prevent pollution in every business process.
- To comply with green legislation as the baseline of our operations and ensure that all staff adhere to the requirements.
- To encourage our contractors and their staff to be equally friendly to the environment and to ensure that our environmental management system conforms to the internationally recognised ISO 14001 standard.
Solutions Showcase:
- Efficient Energy & Utilities
- Engineering & Infrastructure
- Government Body / Agency
- Renewable Energy
- Technology & Innovation
Legal Name: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
General Enquiry Email Address: info@emsd.gov.hk
General Enquiry Phone Number: 2333 3762
General Business Address: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong