Finance

Asian Financial Forum 2026 Set for January Return With Focus on Finance, Technology, and Regional Growth – FinTech Weekly

Published

4 months ago

January 24, 2026

Asian Financial Forum 2026 Set for January Return With Focus on Finance, Technology, and Regional Growth – FinTech Weekly

The Asian Financial Forum 2026 will take place on January 26–27 in Hong Kong, bringing together global leaders to discuss economic trends, fintech, AI, green technology, and cross-border collaboration, alongside expanded deal-making sessions.

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Asian Financial Forum Confirms 2026 Dates and Program Direction

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) will return on January 26 and 27, 2026, bringing together government officials, financial executives, investors, and business leaders from around the world. The event is Asia’s first major financial gathering of the year, positioning it as an early venue for discussions on economic trends and policy priorities.

The forum will once again serve as a meeting point for decision-makers focused on global markets and regional development. AFF has built its reputation as a platform where public and private sector leaders exchange views on finance, trade, and innovation while forming new international business connections.

The 2026 edition will focus on cooperation between policymakers and the business community in response to changing economic conditions and shifting trade patterns. The program will also give attention to sectors linked to digital transformation and sustainability.

Participation Expected From Thousands of Global Delegates

Organizers expect more than 3,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions. The speaker lineup is projected to include more than 130 global speakers from government, finance, and industry.

Senior leadership representation remains a key feature of the event. Data from the forum indicates that about 81 percent of attendees come from CEO-level or senior decision-making roles. This includes executives from financial institutions, multinational companies, and technology firms.

The exhibition segment is also set to expand. Organizers report that more than 140 exhibitors, startups, and service providers are expected to take part, reflecting the forum’s role as both a policy discussion platform and a business networking venue.

Program Theme Highlights Joint Efforts Across Markets

The theme selected for AFF 2026 centers on cooperation between global business communities and policymakers. Organizers say the goal is to examine how coordinated efforts can support growth across regions and industries during a period of economic adjustment.

Rather than focusing on a single region or sector, the forum plans to address shared challenges that affect international markets. Topics include financial stability, cross-border investment flows, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development.

The agenda is expected to include panel discussions, keynote sessions, and closed-door meetings designed to promote practical exchanges between public officials and private sector leaders.

Focus on Technology-Driven Sectors

Technology will again play a central role in the 2026 program. Organizers confirmed that several high-growth sectors will receive dedicated attention, including fintech, artificial intelligence, robotics, green technology, new energy solutions, and web3-related applications.

Financial technology remains a key area of interest as banks, payment providers, and regulators continue to adapt to digital services. Sessions are expected to address topics such as digital payments, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transaction systems.

AI and robotics will also be discussed in the context of productivity and labor markets. Business leaders and policymakers are expected to review how automation tools affect manufacturing, logistics, and service industries.

Green technology and energy transition initiatives will form another core part of the agenda. Discussions are expected to focus on financing models that support low-carbon projects and infrastructure development.

Linking Finance With the Real Economy

AFF organizers said the forum will continue to examine the relationship between financial systems and real economic activity. This includes how capital markets, banking services, and investment tools support small businesses, infrastructure projects, and regional trade.

The program aims to highlight ways financial institutions can improve access to funding for companies operating in emerging sectors. Attention will also be given to risk management and regulatory frameworks that influence lending and investment behavior.

Participants are expected to review how financial policy decisions affect employment, supply chains, and long-term economic stability across Asia and beyond.

AFF Deal-Making Program Expands Business Matching

Alongside policy discussions, AFF will host its dedicated deal-making segment designed to connect investors with project owners and companies seeking funding.

According to figures released by the forum, the deal-making platform is expected to facilitate more than 720 business meetings. Participation is projected to include more than 280 investors, over 560 projects, and approximately 510 project owners.

Organizers describe the program as a structured matchmaking environment where participants can explore partnerships and investment opportunities. Meetings are typically arranged in advance, allowing investors and businesses to hold targeted discussions over the two-day event.

This component reflects the forum’s dual role as both a discussion venue and a practical business exchange platform.

Government and Institutional Participation

AFF traditionally attracts senior government representatives and officials from regulatory bodies. Organizers say this participation allows for direct dialogue between policymakers and private sector leaders.

Government involvement also provides insight into regulatory developments and economic policy priorities. These discussions are particularly relevant for international investors seeking clarity on market access rules and compliance requirements.

Financial institutions and multilateral organizations are also expected to play a visible role in the 2026 event. Their presence supports conversations around regional integration and cross-border financial cooperation.

Asia’s Position in Global Finance

The forum takes place at a time when Asia continues to expand its role in global trade and investment. Regional financial centers remain active in areas such as capital markets, asset management, and digital payments.

AFF organizers emphasize the importance of presenting economic trends from an Asian perspective. This approach reflects the region’s growing influence in technology development, manufacturing, and infrastructure investment.

Participants from outside Asia also attend the forum to better understand regional market conditions and identify partnership opportunities.

Industry Representation Across Multiple Sectors

Beyond financial services, the forum draws participation from a wide range of industries. Technology firms, energy companies, logistics providers, and manufacturing groups are among those represented.

This broad industry mix allows discussions to cover topics that affect multiple sectors. Examples include supply chain financing, digital transformation strategies, and cross-border trade logistics.

The exhibition area provides companies with an opportunity to present products and services related to financial infrastructure, data analytics, compliance tools, and enterprise software.

Preparing for Policy and Market Developments

The timing of AFF early in the calendar year positions it as a venue for setting priorities and reviewing economic forecasts. Business leaders often use the forum to assess market conditions and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.

Discussions typically address monetary policy trends, interest rate outlooks, and geopolitical factors that influence investment decisions. These sessions provide participants with context for planning corporate strategies and capital allocation.

For policymakers, the forum offers feedback from the private sector on regulatory proposals and market conditions.

Digital Infrastructure and Cross-Border Connectivity

Another area of focus for AFF 2026 involves digital infrastructure and international connectivity. Topics include payment systems, data sharing standards, and cybersecurity frameworks.

Cross-border transactions remain a priority for businesses operating across Asia and global markets. Sessions are expected to examine how digital tools can improve transaction speed, transparency, and cost efficiency.

This part of the program reflects growing interest in modernizing financial infrastructure to support international commerce.

Role of Startups and Emerging Companies

Startups and emerging companies will also feature in the 2026 forum. Organizers expect a strong presence from technology firms offering new financial and enterprise solutions.

These companies often use AFF as a platform to meet investors, form partnerships, and explore expansion into new markets. Their participation adds a practical business dimension to the event alongside policy discussions.

The presence of service providers and technology vendors further supports knowledge sharing across the financial ecosystem.

What to Watch Ahead of the Forum

As the event approaches, attention will turn to the final speaker lineup and detailed program schedule. Market participants will watch for announcements related to policy themes and industry priorities.

Investors and corporate executives are likely to focus on sessions addressing digital finance, sustainability, and regional trade integration. Government representatives are expected to use the platform to communicate policy directions and regulatory updates.

The deal-making program will also draw interest from companies seeking funding and partnerships.

A Platform for Regional and Global Dialogue

AFF 2026 is set to continue its role as a meeting place for public and private sector leaders. The combination of policy discussion, business matching, and technology-focused sessions reflects the forum’s broad scope.

Organizers aim to provide a structured environment for dialogue on economic trends and practical business cooperation. With thousands of participants expected, the event will once again serve as a focal point for financial and business activity at the start of the year.

Further details about the forum are available through the official Asian Financial Forum website: https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en

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Finance

WHO says its finances are stable, but uncertainties loom – Geneva Solutions

Published

10 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

WHO says its finances are stable, but uncertainties loom – Geneva Solutions

A year after the US exit from the global health body, WHO officials say finances are secure, for now. But amid donor cuts, rising inflation, and future economic uncertainties, will funding be sufficient to meet its needs?

Earlier this month, senior officials at the World Health Organization (WHO) told journalists in a newly refurbished pressroom at the agency’s headquarters that its finances were “stable”. Following a year that saw its biggest donor withdraw as a member, forcing it to cut 25 per cent of its staff, its financial chief said that 85 per cent of its 2026 and 2027 budget had been financed.

“While we are looking at resource mobilisation, we’re also looking at tightening our belts,” Raul Thomas, assistant director general for business operations and compliance, explained, admitting that the WHO “will have great difficulty mobilising the last 15 per cent”.

Sitting at the centre of the press podium, surrounded by his deputies, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, backed up Thomas’s outlook. “We are stable now and moving forward”, since the retreat of the United States from the health body, he said. The Ethiopian noted that the WHO’s financial reform, allowing for incremental increases in state member fees, has been a big plus.

Mandatory contributions have historically accounted for only a quarter of the organisation’s total funding. States have agreed to raise their contributions by 20 per cent twice, in 2023 and in 2025. Further increments are scheduled to be negotiated in 2027, 2029 and 2031 to bring mandatory funding up to par with voluntary donations that the agency relies on. The WHO also reduced its biennial budget for 2026 and 2027 from $5.3 billion to $4.2bn.

“Our financing actually is better,” Tedros emphasised. “Without the reform, it would have been a problem.”

Read more: Nations agree to raise their WHO fees in wake of US retreat

Nonetheless, the director general, now in his final year at the UN agency, warned that member states should not assume that the financial road ahead will be clear. “The future of WHO will also be defined by how successful we are in terms of the assessed contribution increases or the financial reform in general.”

As west retreats, others step in

Suerie Moon, co-director of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, explains that every year at the WHO, there’s “a non-stop effort” to ensure funding. She says a continued reliance on non-flexible, voluntary funding earmarked for specific projects, as well as donors withholding contributions – sometimes for political leverage – complicates the organisation’s financial plans. Meanwhile, ongoing cuts and predictions of a global economic downturn stemming from the war in the Middle East may further aggravate the situation, as costs rise and member states focus on national spending needs.

Soaring prices driven by the conflict and supply chain disruptions have already affected the WHO’s procurement of emergency health kits for crises, officials at the global health body said. “We are continuing to negotiate at least from a procurement standpoint on how we can bring down a little bit the prices or reduce the increases, but we are seeing it across the board,” said Thomas.

Altaf Musani, WHO director of health emergencies, meanwhile, said aid cuts have already deprived roughly 53 million people in crisis situations of access to healthcare.

Last month, Thomas told the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the UN at the end of April that the agency is looking at non-traditional, or non-western, donors for funding to close the biennial 15 per cent funding gap. “It’s not that we won’t go to the traditional donors, but we’re expanding that donor base.”

Since the dramatic drop in funding from the US, formerly the WHO’s biggest contributor, Moon highlights that there hadn’t been a “sudden jump by non-traditional states to compensate for the US”. Last May, at the World Health Assembly, China pledged $500 million in voluntary funding until 2030, a sharp rise from the $2.5m it contributed over 2024 and 2025.

The WHO did not respond to questions from Geneva Solutions about how much of the pledged amount had been disbursed. China’s mission in Geneva did not respond to questions raised about the funding.

Other countries, particularly Gulf states, have meanwhile been increasing their voluntary contributions to the organisation in recent years. Similarly to “western liberal democracies have in the past”, Moon explains that they may be seeking “to raise their profile and prioritise health as one of the issues that they would like to be known for”. She noted that the shift in the UN agency’s list of top donors may affect how it manages the money.

‘Sustainable’ spending

Amid these financial uncertainties, WHO executives say the organisation is also reviewing its expenditure through “sustainability plans”. This includes working more closely with collaborating centres, including universities and research institutes that support WHO programmes and are independently funded. On influenza, for example, the WHO works with dozens of national centres around the world, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US,

When asked about any plans for further job cuts, Thomas denied that these were part of the WHO’s current strategies, but could not rule them out entirely as a future possibility. Instead, he said, the organisation was “looking at ways to use funding that may have been for activities to cover salaries in the most important areas”.

Meanwhile, WHO data shows that the number of consultants employed by the agency by the end of 2025 decreased by 23 per cent, slightly less than the staff reductions. Global heath reporter Elaine Fletcher explained to Geneva Solutions that consultants continue to represent a significant proportion of the agency’s workforce, at 5,844 – including an overwhelming number hired in Africa and Southeast Asia – compared with regular staff numbering 8,569 in December.

Upcoming donor politics

The upcoming change in leadership will also be a strategic moment for the organisation to boost its coffers. Moon says the race for the top job at the organisation may attract funding from candidates’ home countries, which could be seen as a strategic opportunity.

Given the relatively small size of the WHO budget, compared to some government or agency accounts, “you don’t have to be the richest country in the world to dangle a few 100 million dollars, which could go a long way in their budget,” the expert notes.

The biggest ongoing challenge, however, will be whether major donors will announce further aid cuts. In the medium and longer term, “countries will have to agree on the step up every two years, and there’s always drama around that.”

Finance

Sports betting should be regulated as a financial product, not gambling, aspiring prediction market provider says

Published

22 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Sports betting should be regulated as a federal financial product rather than a state-licensed casino product, two panelists said Thursday.

Appearing at Consensus Miami 2026, Jacob Fortinsky, co-founder and CEO of sports betting platform Novig, said the legacy sportsbook model is structurally broken because it treats winning bettors as cheaters.

“Sports betting is really the only industry in the country that regularly limits and bans their power users,” Fortinsky said. He framed sports event contracts as binary financial instruments that “for so long have been treated as a gambling product and instead should really be treated as a financial product.” Globally, he said, sports betting is “a $2 trillion asset class still dominated by these legacy casinos.”

Adam Mastrelli, founder of 57 Maiden, a firm that builds AI-driven trading strategies for prediction markets, validated the critique with personal experience.

“My partner and I got kicked off of two big sportsbooks within two months of trading because we were sharp,” he said, It’s like “LeBron James getting kicked out of the NBA for being too good,” he added.

Mastrelli said the team turned to Novig, which he said charges no fees and allows traders to create synthetic positions.

Mastrelli said his firm’s edge decayed quickly, and of 154 proposed trading strategies, only three currently run profitably.

“This edge will go away,” he said, “so if you can build systems that can keep up with that edge and that alpha… then it becomes really, really intriguing.” His most profitable season, he said, was the WNBA.

Fortinsky said Novig is on track to transition this summer from a sweepstakes model live in 35 states to a federal DCM framework that will let it operate in all 50 states. An earlier attempt to be regulated at the state level in Colorado, he said, was a wake-up call. “Regulators told us essentially you’re naive if you think we care about consumer protection or innovation or market efficiency. We really just care about our tax revenue,” he said.

The federal-state fight, Fortinsky added, is “going to get to the Supreme Court in the next two or three years,” with 15 pending lawsuits between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Kalshi, Robinhood and various states. Within prediction markets, he argued sports is “counterintuitively actually the safest vertical,” given the bigger insider-trading and manipulation concerns around political and event-driven contracts.

Mastrelli, who said he avoids offshore platforms entirely, compared prediction markets to equities exchanges: “When I see a robust equities market now, this is AQR against SIG. It doesn’t go away.”

Finance

BofA revises Harley-Davidson stock price after latest announcement

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

BofA revises Harley-Davidson stock price after latest announcement

Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.

This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.

“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”

Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.

Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.

To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.

Harley-Davidson is going after a younger demographic with its new strategy. Photo by Raivo Sarelainens on Getty Images

What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?

Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.

Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan

Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.