Global aviation leaders gather at Asia Pacific Region Innovation and Capacity Building Symposium 2023 in Hong Kong

The Asia Pacific Region Innovation and Capacity Building Symposium 2023 (APICS 2023), jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA), with support from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia and Pacific (APAC) Regional Office and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), commenced today (December 14) at the AsiaWorld-Expo. 

The two-day APICS 2023 is a signature event attended by over 1 500 aviation professionals from around the world, including top leaders and experts from civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, airport operators and aviation industry as well as young talent from more than 35 states and administrations. The event aims to facilitate discussions on innovative technologies and capacity building in both regional and international contexts. Additionally, it provides an excellent platform for participants to establish business network and foster collaboration. 

Themed “Uniting the Strength of Innovation for Building a Seamless Sky”, APICS 2023 was officiated by 11 guests of honour at the opening ceremony today. The symposium brings together nearly 25 renowned speakers to share their insights in 15 forums related to the theme embracing three expert panels, namely “Innovation in Sky – Air Navigation Service”, “Innovation on Ground – Airport Operations” and “Capacity Building for Civil Aviation Workforce”. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, expressed his great pleasure in attending APIC 2023 as a major aviation event. Mr Wong opined that the theme of the symposium was a timely and relevant focus for the aviation industry, emphasising the importance of leveraging innovative technologies to drive the aviation industry forward in the post-pandemic era.

The Deputy Administrator of the CAAC, Mr Cui Xiaofeng, and the Chairman of the AAHK, Mr Jack So, also delivered opening remarks at the APIC 2023 opening ceremony. The Director-General of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, Mr Victor Liu, highlighted the significance of global collaboration in building a seamless sky for aviation in his keynote speech. Mr Liu stressed the importance of innovation in addressing industry challenges and encouraged participants to grasp opportunities to explore solutions, share insights, and foster collaboration during the symposium, in line with the ICAO’s initiative of “No Country Left Behind”. 

APICS 2023 has also provided an important forum for enhancing regional and international co-operation on innovative technologies and capacity building involving some 25 companies and organisations exchanging their collaborative agreements. These significant moments were witnessed by the guests of honour and the participants attending the event.

 In addition to speeches, panel discussions and business talks by top leaders in the industry, APICS 2023 also includes exhibition with nearly 60 internationally renowned exhibitors from around the world, showcasing cutting-edge technologies in civil aviation to the participants.   

APICS 2023 is not only the first symposium in the Asia-Pacific region focusing on uniting the power of innovation to build a seamless sky for aviation, but it is also the first conference co-organised by the CAAC, the CAD and the HKIAA to present capabilities of globally leading exhibitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas in innovation, technologies and capacity building for civil aviation, as well as promoting interest of the young generation in the latest innovative technologies for civil aviation.