HONG KONG – The Philanthropy for Better Cities (PBC) Forum has not only witnessed the development of philanthropy over the past decade, but also fostered exchange and collaboration among the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the international community, Starry Lee Wai-king, president of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of HKSAR, said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the forum's gala dinner, Lee noted that as Hong Kong aligns with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, philanthropic models that take a long-term perspective and place greater emphasis on capacity building and talent development will become increasingly important.

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Convened by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in association with the Institute of Philanthropy, the two-day forum marked its 10th anniversary this year. Under the central theme of "Leaping for Impact," the forum explored how strengths from sport can be transformed into a powerful force for philanthropy and generate deeper and more enduring social impact.

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Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, underscored the necessity of collaborative action to tackle global issues in his closing remarks.

"No organization, foundation, government or business can address today's challenges alone," Engelbrecht-Bresges said, emphasizing the importance of finding partners with complementary strengths and a shared purpose.

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The forum this year brought together more than 80 eminent speakers and over 2,000 global delegates, with discussions spanning health, the well-being of older adults, urban poverty alleviation, heritage conservation, climate resilience and inclusive employment.