【Press release on 18 November 2020】The fourth Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES), co-hosted by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) and the Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region (HKSAR) Government and co-organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), kicked off its Summit today with a series of online forums and workshops to be held until 20 November while the Expo of the GIES will be staged from 19 November to 22 November at Hall 1A-C of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Summit provides a platform for stakeholders around the world and from different disciplines to exchange insights and share experience to shed light on the strategies for gerontechnology development in Hong Kong. Despite the pandemic refraining overseas speakers from presenting at the Summit in person, speakers offer support by sharing their insights through webinars arranged by HKCSS. Starting from today, over 10 online forums and workshops are open to public registration online http://gies.hk for free.

Mr Bernard Chan, Chairman of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said in his welcoming remarks, “We are striving hard to adjust to the new normal. Despite considerable difficulties and uncertainty in organizing the event, we are fortunate to be able to have the programme held as scheduled, thanks to the support of many partners.”

Mr Wing-hang Alfred Sit, Secretary for Innovation and Technology of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region commented, “In Hong Kong, just like many other advanced cities, a rapidly ageing population is among the most pressing challenges to society.  Gerontechnology is widely recognised as a key to addressing the challenges and better still, turning it into opportunities” 

He continued, “Back in 2016, the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund started to explore ways to address the challenges of ageing through innovative means and more extensive cross-sector collaboration.  Pursuant to an extensive consultation exercise with cross-sector stakeholders, the Fund would engage an intermediary to build an inclusive Gerontechnology Platform that will link up different stakeholders on the supply and demand sides and enhance their synergy.   The goal is to foster the development of the gerontechnology ecosystem in Hong Kong by way of engagement, cross-sector partnership and collaboration.  We plan to appoint the intermediary within this year and launch the Platform in 2021.” 

At the Summit, more than 40 heavy-weight speakers from Hong Kong and all over the world such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Norway, Singapore, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, The United States and Singapore are present to exchange their views online.  Among them, Mrs Laurie M. Orlov, Founder and Principal Analyst, Aging and Health Technology Watch from USA made the keynote speech of the Summit titled The Future of Remote Care Technology.

Besides, a panel discussion chaired by Mr Hoi-wai Chua, Chief Executive of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, was also conducted today on Gerontech-Enhanced Care in Hong Kong – Achievements and the Way Ahead with speakers including Mr Ka-tai Lam, Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services) of Social Welfare Department, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Ching-choi Lam, Chairperson of Hong Kong Elderly Commission, Dr Ngai-chiu Sunny Chai, Chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Bryan Wong, Head of Charities (Grant Making) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Ms Martha Hao, Chairperson of Hong Kong Medical & Healthcare Device Industries Association.

Other workshops cover topics on Promoting Gerontechnology Development and Adoption through Cross-sector Collaboration, Care Food and Related Services for Healthy and Dignified Eating, and Development of Gerontech Rental Service in Hong Kong.

In addition to the Summit, those who want product trials and gaining advanced information on gerontechnology are welcome to visit the Expo to be held between 19 to 22 November during which nearly 160 exhibitors showcase more than 500 gerontech products and solutions. Exhibitors responded very enthusiastically with about 40 new exhibitors. Some of the exhibits made their debut in Hong Kong this year. The Event is open to the public for free.

This year’s Expo covers 9,400-square-metre exhibition floors with four featured pavilions which are Social Service in the New Horizon, Carers We Care, Asian Care Food and Jockey Club “age at home” Gerontech Education and Rental Service.

A series of highlighted events will be staged at the Expo, such as HKCSS “Care Food Standard Framework” Release, Care Food Cooking Competition 2020 Prize Presentation Ceremony, Demonstration of Care Bed Installation and Dismantle together with Sharing by Care Equipment Counsellors, Gerontech Youth Challenge 2019 Award Presentation Ceremony and Healthy Mahjong Esports Competition.

In addition, in response to the creation of time-limited positions in elderly and rehabilitation service units to assist in the implementation of technology applications by subvented non-governmental organizations, there is a Gerontech Recruitment Hub to provide relevant information on job vacancies details.

The Gerontech and Innovation Expo Cum Summit 2020

Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 1A-C

Exhibition Date and Time for Public:                 

19 November 2020 (Thursday)                          11:00-18:00

20, 21 November 2020 (Friday, Saturday)      10:00-18:00

22 November (Sunday)                                        10:00-17:00

Last admission time is 30 minutes before the daily closing time.

Website: http://gies.hk

HKCSS would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the funders including Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and China Merchants Foundation.

*Summit Photos for download: https://bit.ly/2UyIWns

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