The International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of the Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference was held for the first time in Hong Kong in early June and chose the HKCEC as its venue. It attracted around 800 leading experts, academics and political and economic leaders from the Mainland and overseas for an in-depth exchange and sharing of experience.

Under the theme “Transitioning Towards the Future: Powered by Science, Technology and Innovation”, the forum explored how to capitalise on Hong Kong's advantage of being connected to the Mainland and the outside world, and how to foster global co-operation in the field of innovation and technology.

A total of 10 sessions of sub-fora, cutting-edge dialogues and roundtables were held during the event and joined by former foreign heads of state and leaders, senior representatives of international organisations, renowned scientists and university academics, entrepreneurs and start-ups from Hong Kong and abroad, as well as youth leaders from various countries.