Hong Kong's Forum Highlights the City’s Role as a Global Disputes Resolver

Hong Kong’s Role as a Global Dispute Resolution Hub

On December 19, 2025, Hong Kong became a stage for global dialogue by hosting the forum entitled "Problem-Solving City: Hong Kong as a Disputes Resolver". This significant event was co-organized by Friday Culture Limited, the Hong Kong Coalition, and the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre. It gathered influential figures including senior government officials, legal scholars, and industry leaders to discuss the city’s ambitions to become a global hub for dispute resolution.

The forum prominently highlighted Hong Kong's ambitious LEAP framework, acting as a catalyst in transforming the city into a resilient disputes resolver and a thriving hub for digital finance. The AALCO Centre plays a pivotal role, offering a wealth of expertly trained mediators and arbitrators with specific experience in sports and digital finance sectors. Its Director, Nick Chan, articulated how the Centre has evolved to develop LawTech capabilities by employing interdisciplinary experts dedicated to global dispute resolution.

Commitment to Peaceful Resolution

Herman Hu, Chairman of Friday Culture, voiced that Hong Kong’s selection as the host of the International Organization for Mediation reinforces its dedication to fostering peaceful dispute resolution under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The forum featured a special panel discussing sports mediation, emphasizing Hong Kong's common law heritage, bilingual legal framework, and strategic geographic advantage as a bridge between China and international markets. Experts affirmed that Hong Kong’s access to over 1.3 billion consumers—coupled with collaborative initiatives linking the central government, Hong Kong, and Macau—positions the city uniquely as a leading center for sports dispute resolution.

Embracing Digital Finance

A noteworthy segment of the forum explored the burgeoning field of digital finance, featuring discussions moderated by Witman Hung. Industry leaders shared insights on the regulatory framework that has been developed to ensure interoperability, security, and protection for users across decentralized platforms. Their discussions revealed Hong Kong’s pioneering efforts in creating digital bonds following the latest ISO protocols, alongside its role in managing disputes within the thriving $15 billion digital finance sector.

Dr. Johnny Ng asserted the necessity for a gradual approach to digital finance to cultivate public trust, while Dr. Au King Lun elaborated on Hong Kong’s efforts to forge cross-border connections across various regulatory, technical, and market capital infrastructures.

A spokesperson from the Hong Kong Coalition concluded the event, emphasizing the city’s transformation from a mere regulator to a proactive rule-setter, leveraging a collaborative network of around 30 member organizations working towards establishing international standards.

Conclusion

Overall, the forum effectively demonstrated how Hong Kong's robust legal infrastructure, strategic positioning, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders lay the foundation for its emergence as a premier global disputes resolver. The collective insights provided a clear roadmap forward, showcasing Hong Kong's commitment to leading in this crucial area on the world stage.