HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
World-Class Hub for Sustainability
HKU-Belgium Sustainability Conference 2025
Hong Kong | 21 November 2025 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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 |
| Registration | 09:00 | Registration |
| Welcome speeches | 09:20 | Welcome speeches: – Consul General of Belgium David Lomastro |
Session 1 THE GREEN ECHO: ARE WE STILL LISTENING? | 09:30 | Keynote: ESG After the Hype – Henri Servaes (London Business School) |
10:10 | Presentation: The Influence of Climate Science on Policy Stringency – Haotian Feng (University of Hong Kong) | |
| Tea Break | 10:40 | Tea Break |
Session 2 SUSTAINABILITY IN ASSET MANAGEMENT | 11:00 | Presentation: How Green is Green? Anatomy of ESG Funds’ Selection – Dunhong Jin (University of Hong Kong) |
11:20 | Presentation: The Artificially Intelligent Proxy Advisor – Maxime Couvert (University of Hong Kong) | |
11:40 | Industry Panel: Green Mandates: Aligning Capital with Sustainable Goals – Philippe Laurensy (Euroclear) – Nana Li (Impax Asset Management) – Anthony Cheung (Polymer Capital) – Rizal Wijono (Syncicap Asset Management) – Alan Kwan (University of Hong Kong) | |
| Lunch Break | 12:30 | Lunch @ The Square, Two Exchange Square |
Session 3 ENERGY AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN | 13:50 | Keynote: Decarbonisation and digitalisation: driving sustainability in shipping – Niraj Nanda (Anglo-Eastern Ship Management) |
14:10 | Presentation: Ugly Food: Drivers of Cosmetic Standards and Implications on Food Waste – Pascale Crama (Singapore Management University) | |
14:40 | Industry Panel: From Extraction to Emission: Greening Energy in the Supply Chain – Ollie Haas (Cathay Pacific) – Frank Zhang (Umicore) – Jan Cuyt (Port of Antwerp-Bruges) – Anatole Boute (Chinese University of Hong Kong) | |
| Tea Break | 15:30 | Tea Break |
Session 4 PUBLIC AND SOCIAL SECTORS | 15:50 | Presentation: Climate Litigation and Decarbonization – Shipeng Yan (University of Hong Kong) |
16:10 | Presentation: The Role of Social Value in Contracting – Jim Goldman (McGill University) | |
16:30 | Presentation: The Strategic Side of Charity: Evidence from M&As – Cara Vansteenkiste (University of Sydney) | |
16:50 | Presentation: Hybrid Organizations and Beneficiary Engagement: The Role of Language – Marieke Huysentruyt (HEC Paris) | |
| Reception | 17:30 | Cocktail reception: A Taste of Belgian Beer |
| End of conference | 18:00 | End of conference |
Welcome Speeches
David Lomastro
Consulate General
Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong
Bernice Yu
Head of Operations
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
Niraj Nanda is the Chief Commercial Officer of Anglo-Eastern, focusing on developing long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with clients. As a key member of the executive team, he drives the company’s commercial strategy, sales, marketing, external communications, and ESG reporting.
With nearly three decades at Anglo-Eastern, Niraj has a deep understanding of the organization and industry. He began his career at sea, attaining the rank of Master before moving to the Mumbai office in 2009 and relocating to Hong Kong in 2016.
Niraj oversees client reporting for 750 vessels and in various roles, including Director of Crew Management, he significantly expanded the crew management business to over 250 vessels. He also served as General Manager for Anglo-Eastern India, overseeing crewing operations and achieving over 2,000 global seafarer recruitments annually. Niraj played a vital role in establishing the cadet academy and leading the Trainees Division, engaging thousands of active trainees each year.
Notably, he was a top finalist for the ‘Young Person of the Year’ award at the CrewConnect Global Industry Awards in 2018, reflecting his impact in the maritime sector.
Academics Presentations 1
Dunhong Jin
Prof. Jin is a theoretical financial economist, working on information, incentive and contract in asset management, corporate finance and asset pricing. She also has several joint projects with the Financial Conduct Authority on liquidity mismatch and financial stability in asset management industry.
Maxime Couvert
Professor Maxime Couvert is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Hong Kong. His work focuses empirical corporate finance, corporate governance, sustainable finance and institutional investors and has published in Management Science. He obtained the NFI Grant from Norges Bank Investment Management as well as the Engelbert Dockner Memorial Prize – EFA.
Industry Panel 1 – Green Mandates: Aligning Capital with Sustainable Goals
Alan P. Kwan
Dr. Alan P. Kwan is an academic currently serving as an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Hong Kong. He also serves as program director for the Master’s of Finance in Financial Technology.
Dr. Kwan’s interest in finance was influenced by years working in the financial industry, including roles at a major global macro hedge fund and a quantitative trading firm specializing in energy markets. His research focuses on two main themes: regulatory economics, and the economics of intangible capital. In regulatory economics, he aims to understand the implications of regulatory events and laws on financial market participants. His work on intangible capital aims to understand how a firm’s knowledge, technology, and information acquisition create value. To study these, he uses big data and machine learning techniques in collaboration with corporate partners with vast datasets.
He has published a variety of papers in outlets including American Economic Review, Management Science, Science Advances, Journal of Financial Economics, and the Journal of Financial Quantitative Analysis. He has also presented his research at top selective conferences in his field, including the Western Finance Association, American Finance Association and National Bureau of Economic Research, winning several best prize awards.
Anthony Cheung
Prof. Anthony Cheung is Managing Director and Head of Sustainability at a leading Asian multi-manager investment platform, with over 20 years of asset management experience across Europe and Asia. As Asia’s first Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) and regional representative of EFFAS, he has played a pivotal role in aligning European ESG standards with Asian practices. He has served on global sustainability bodies including the GHG Protocol Independent Standards Board, WBA Supervisory Board, GRI Stakeholder Council, and CFA Institute ESG Technical Committee. A recipient of the 2019 Regional ESG Leader Award, he also contributes to climate governance through roles at Friends of the Earth (HK) and the Hong Kong Institute of Directors. Based in Hong Kong and a Fellow of CPA Australia, he is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Hamburg, promoting cross-regional collaboration in sustainable finance.
Philippe Laurensy
Philippe Laurensy is Managing Director and CEO of Euroclear’s Asia Pacific markets, responsible for shaping and executing the company’s regional growth strategy. With over 35 years at Euroclear, he has held key leadership roles including Head of Product, Strategy & Innovation, and Head of the Commercial division overseeing global client relationships. He has also served on the boards of Euroclear UK and Ireland and the Risk and Audit Committee of ESES. His career spans roles in product development, operations, and relationship management across Europe, Asia, and North America. Philippe holds a Bachelor’s in Applied Economics from the University of Liège and a Master’s in Accountancy and Finance from the International Institute of Commerce and the European University in San Francisco.
Nana Li
Nana Li is Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific, and Director at Impax Asset Management in Hong Kong, where she leads sustainability research, corporate engagement, and stewardship advocacy across the region. Prior to joining Impax in 2022, she served as Research and Project Director at the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), publishing key reports and engaging with major Chinese financial institutions. She continues to chair ACGA’s China working group and acts as a Specialist Consultant. Nana is a frequent speaker at global conferences and universities, and co-authored a 2024 book on diversity in Japanese corporate governance. She holds advisory roles with international standards boards and networks, including IAASB, IESBA, ICGN, and IFRS, and is a CFA charterholder with degrees from the University of Chicago, University of Hong Kong, and UNSW.
Rizal Wijono
Mr. Rizal Wijono is a seasoned asset management executive with over 25 years of experience scaling traditional and private equity platforms across Asia and Europe. As Managing Director and Head of Business Development & Sales at Syncicap Asset Management in Hong Kong, he leads strategic expansion efforts and builds institutional partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on both traditional and sustainable investment strategies. Previously, he played a key role in launching the private equity arm of Micro Connect, serving as Responsible Officer and Overall Management Officer. His career includes founding Fusion Asia Advisory, partnering with Fusion Partners (later acquired by Capricorn NV), and holding senior roles at Sun Hung Kai Financial Group, Deutsche Asset Management, and ING Investment Management Asia Pacific, where he helped grow AUM from US$2 billion to US$28 billion across 10 countries. Educated in Belgium, he holds degrees in Applied Economics and an MBA, and currently advises family offices and a major European NGO. He is fluent in six languages including English, Dutch, German, French, Putonghua, and Bahasa Indonesia.
Academics Presentations 2
Shipeng Yan
Prof. Yan works as an assistant professor of management and strategy at HKU Business School. With a background in organization theory, he is specialized in corporate sustainability, ESG, and institutional analysis. He hold a PhD in Management from IESE Business School and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Information Systems) from the University of Hong Kong.
Pascale Crama
Professor Pascale Crama is Professor of Operations Management and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes at Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business. With a Ph.D. from London Business School, her research spans R&D project management, contract theory, and innovation strategy. A recipient of multiple teaching and research awards, she brings cutting-edge insights into the classroom and has pioneered SMU’s first online Masters in Management programme.
Industry Panel 2 – From Extraction to Emission: Green Energy in the Supply Chain
Anatole Boute
Prof. Anatole Boute is a Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong specializing in energy, environmental, and investment law, with a focus on legal frameworks supporting sustainable energy transitions and market reforms in emerging economies. He holds degrees in Political Science and Law from the University of Leuven, an LLM in Energy and Environmental Law, and a PhD from the University of Groningen. His career spans legal practice at the Brussels bar, advisory roles with the UN, IEA, and World Bank, and academic leadership including founding CUHK’s LLM in Energy and Environmental Law. He has authored influential books and articles on energy law and policy, and led research projects on emissions trading and China’s energy investments along the Belt and Road.
Jan Cuyt
Jan Cuyt is the Strategy Account Manager Maritime Business. Has dedicated his entire career to the maritime industry, beginning as a Master Mariner and serving as Captain on Belgian-flagged vessels. Following his seagoing career, he managed Ships Agency and Maritime Services companies in Antwerp, the Benelux region, and internationally—including in the Netherlands, France, and Northwest Africa. These roles encompassed operational, sales, and logistics responsibilities across various segments of maritime trade, with companies such as Neste Shipping, Vopak, and Wilhelmsen. Five years ago, he joined the Commercial Relations Department of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, where he now leads the Maritime Business Team. His team maintains relationships with shipping lines, operators, and ship agents, and plays a key role in preparing regulations and infrastructure for new alternative fuels—such as methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels—as part of the broader industrial energy transition underway in the port area.
Oliver Haas
Ollie’s passion for aviation began at age five, dreaming of planes that could fly without harming the environment. At Cathay, he leads initiatives to advance sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), explore innovative technologies to reduce flying emissions and engage customers more deeply in the airline’s sustainability journey. Previously, he developed electric aircraft at the Silicon Valley startup Magpie Aviation, helped build Climate Impact X’s carbon marketplace in Singapore and supported the innovation consultancy PALO IT’s transformation into a B Corp. As a passionate advocate for sustainable aviation, he has also shared his insights as a TEDx speaker.
Frank Zhang
Frank Zhang is Senior Vice President for Greater China at Umicore, bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in the industrial and technology sectors across the Asia-Pacific region, with a strong focus on Greater China. He began his career as a Project Engineer at the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute after graduating from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, later earning an MBA from the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). His career includes 14 years at General Electric in key roles such as Product Line General Manager and General Manager of Motors & Controls Asia, followed by senior leadership positions at Glaston Group, Nanofilm Technology International, and CITIC Capital. With deep technical expertise and strategic management experience, he now leads Umicore’s initiatives to drive sustainable growth in Greater China.
Academics Presentations 3
Jim Goldman
Professor Jim Goldman is an Assistant Professor of Finance at McGill University. His research spans corporate finance, labor economics, and financial intermediation, with publications in leading journals. Jim’s work has been recognized with several awards and presented at top academic conferences including the AFA, WFA, and NBER. He has also taught courses in Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Financial Risk Management at institutions including McGill, Warwick, and the University of Toronto
Cara Vansteenkiste
Professor Cara Vansteenkiste is a Horizon Fellow and Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Finance at the University of Sydney. Her research explores how corporate resources can serve the common good, with a focus on philanthropy, international M&A, and board gender diversity. Her work has appeared in top journals like the Review of Finance and Journal of Corporate Finance, and has been featured in the Australian Financial Review. She is the recipient of a Sydney Horizon Fellowship and an ARC DECRA grant.
Marieke Huysentruyt
Professor Marieke Huysentruyt is Assistant Professor of Strategy and Business Policy and Academic Director of the Inclusive Economy Centre at HEC Paris, also affiliated with Stockholm School of Economics and ideas42. Her research focuses on strategies in social impact markets, innovation, and blended value creation, using experimental and interdisciplinary methods. Marieke has received several awards, including a Fulbright and Best Paper at the Social Entrepreneurship Conference. Her work has been featured in The Economist and Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Co-Organizer:
Details
Date:
21 November, 2025
Venue:
HKU iCube
Two Exchange Square, Connaught Pl, Central HK, Hong Kong
Organizers:
- HKU Business School
- HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
- Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong
- Belgian Days Hong Kong