Inaugural Summit Forum on Cultivating Young Talents for International Organizations (Hong Kong, China) Grandly Opens

February 2, 2026 – The inaugural Summit Forum on Cultivating Young Talents for International Organizations (Hong Kong, China) grandly opened at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The forum was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Center for International Cultural Exchange, the UN SDG and Leadership Development Centre, and the PolyU Mainland Affairs Office. Distinguished guests, including representatives from United Nations international organizations, experts and scholars, leaders from mainland and Hong Kong universities, industry elites, and numerous outstanding young talents from the mainland and Hong Kong, gathered in Hong Kong. The event featured keynote speeches, closed-door meetings, policy discussions, and intellectual exchanges, highlighting Hong Kong’s charm and influence as a “super-connector” for the Belt and Road Initiative and an international talent hub.

Establishing a Mechanism for Cultivating Young Talents for International Organizations

In his address, Mr. Li Zhuolin, Chairman of the Hong Kong Center for International Cultural Exchange, stated that Hong Kong, as a hub housing regional branch offices for over 140 international organizations, leverages the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems,” the resource endowment of an international financial center, and its unique positioning as a “super-connector” for the Belt and Road Initiative. It has long been a vital center for international governance practice and talent exchange. With the establishment and operation of the Hong Kong International Mediation Centre, Asia’s first international legal organization, Hong Kong should fully utilize its inherent advantages to introduce more outstanding global governance concepts and practical experiences, striving to cultivate more Chinese youths to become key pillars within international organizations.

Urgent Need for “Hard Skills + Soft Qualities” New-Type Talent

Dr. Jin Zhenhua, Secretary-General of the Compliance and Risk Management Committee at the UN SDG and Leadership Development Centre, noted in his speech that as an authoritative institution authorized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Centre has a unique mission since its inception. It serves both as UNITAR’s first global platform dedicated to cultivating specialized talent for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global innovation leadership, and as a strategic bridge connecting UN system resources with China’s education sector. The Centre consistently focuses on critical issues facing humanity, such as climate change, AI governance, and the formulation of international rules. He expressed hope that through this forum and related training programs, young students can systematically build a professional understanding of global governance rules and the operational mechanisms of international organizations. The goal is to cultivate their cross-cultural leadership abilities in a global context, preparing a pool of leading young talents capable of filling core positions in the UN and other international organizations in the future.

Cultivating International Affairs Talents with a Global Vision

Professor Yang Liwei, Vice President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, emphasized in his welcome address that PolyU, as a world-class university in Hong Kong, places great importance on experiential learning and global perspectives. Through initiatives like the “EAGLE Global Youth Leadership Programme,” students participate in overseas learning experiences aligned with the UN SDGs, including projects in Nepal and Vietnam. These immersive experiences broaden students’ global horizons and foster their passion for leadership and positive change. He encouraged students to immerse themselves fully, think critically, and reflect on how to apply their learning to serve society and the global community. For Chinese youth, global leadership requires not only professional knowledge but also the right values, a sense of responsibility, and foresight.

Jointly Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Ms. Sarah Chen, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), stated as a special guest that we must jointly uphold the banner of the *2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development* – the most ambitious compact for the well-being of humanity and the planet in history. It is not merely a checklist of goals to achieve, but a moral and practical imperative for our shared survival and dignity. UNICEF, as the UN agency mandated to uphold the rights and future of every child, embodies the UN system’s greatest strengths: coherence, innovation, and an unwavering focus on results. UNICEF HK hopes to leverage the UN’s global platform to showcase Hong Kong’s significant progress in digital inclusion and green finance, and to invest resolutely in the youth of Hong Kong and the mainland – not merely as beneficiaries, but as essential co-creators of a sustainable future.