Dubai – 11 August 2026
Dubai is positioning itself as a link between Asian capital and Middle Eastern transition-finance demand, as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) prepare to co-host their third Joint Climate Finance Conference in Hong Kong on 10 September, part of Hong Kong Green Week 2026 (“Driving Transition in a Changing World”).
The two financial centres have partnered since 2024, when their first conference explored a Net-Zero Asia-Middle East Corridor. The 2025 Dubai edition covered climate-related financial risks, technology, and transition-financing approaches.
Hong Kong offers access to mainland China and Asian markets, while Dubai/DIFC connects Middle Eastern economies to global investors positioning Dubai to bridge capital with investment opportunities in still carbon-intensive economies. This aligns with the UAE’s own heavy investment in energy, infrastructure and technology alongside its diversification and decarbonisation goals, with closer Hong Kong ties opening further two-way capital flow.
The next challenge is scaling beyond labelled green finance (funding already-sustainable projects) toward broader transition finance helping carbon-intensive businesses cut emissions through cleaner technology and infrastructure especially relevant given the region’s coming investment needs across energy, transport, industry and infrastructure.
For Dubai and DIFC, this means building the financial infrastructure and cross-border relationships to move capital into the real economy, not just joining the conversation. September’s conference will gather policymakers, institutions, investors and businesses to discuss scaling transition finance while ensuring credible outcomes and commercial viability.
Ultimately, the HKMA-DFSA partnership reflects a broader trend: strengthening Asia-Middle East capital market links as both regions face major energy transition and infrastructure needs, with Dubai aiming to cement its role as the bridge between them.
