Mr Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) made his opening remarks by highlighting the excitement around the comeback of the Philanthropy for Better Cities (PBC) Forum in-person post the pandemic and shared that more than 1,600 delegates are attending this year’s PBC Forum.

During the opening ceremony of the PBC Forum, HKJC announced the establishment of the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP). Mr Lee said, “We aim to establish the IoP as a dependable source of philanthropic knowledge and to leverage its resources to strengthen the professionalism of funders in the Hong Kong SAR, nationwide, throughout Asia and beyond by providing sector-wide infrastructure and standards development. This in turn will support and complement the HKSAR Government’s policy priorities, as well as contribute to national development”. With the mission of becoming a global “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia, the IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership at local, regional and global levels together with fellow foundations, philanthropic stakeholders and other institutions. Grounded in the East, it will provide a convening platform to promote the common good. The Club has committed an initial sum of HK$5 billion to fulfil this mission.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr John Lee said, “Hong Kong is determined to play an increasingly important role in advancing philanthropy and the social impact it can make. We want to create a fairer society for everyone. It helps that we have The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to turn to, for organising the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum, and a great deal more.” He added, “The establishment, today, of the Institute of Philanthropy will, I am confident, go a long way towards realising the Hong Kong SAR Government’s goal of building Hong Kong into a leading international centre for philanthropy.”

The opening ceremony concluded with an engaging performance from the students of the Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Jockey Club Power of Music Programme, a Trust-supported project.