Hong Kong played host to the world’s largest stem cell and regenerative medicine event for the first time, as the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting took place from 11–14 June at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The landmark gathering welcomed over 2,400 delegates from 58 countries and regions, highlighting the city’s growing stature as a global science and convention hub.
This milestone marked the ISSCR’s return to Asia after a 13-year gap and was the result of a successful bid led by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) through its Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme, in partnership with three major local academic institutions: The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The four-day programme featured a robust lineup of plenary sessions, concurrent tracks, poster presentations, and networking opportunities, covering the latest advances in cell therapies, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine. As a high-profile knowledge exchange platform, the meeting catalysed cross-border collaborations and further positioned Hong Kong as a gateway for scientific innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.
ISSCR President Valentina Greco described the event as “a defining moment for global stem cell science,” adding that Hong Kong’s geographic and academic positioning made it “an ideal setting to connect diverse scientific communities and accelerate innovation.” She also acknowledged the unwavering support of the three universities and the HKTB in delivering the event.
Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB, commented: “The ISSCR Annual Meeting is a world-leading convention for medical science, and its arrival in Hong Kong reflects our city’s ability to attract flagship international events. The active involvement of our Convention Ambassadors played a pivotal role in securing this event, and we continue to expand this powerful network to engage leaders from a broad range of sectors.”
The HKCA programme, launched in 2020, had by mid-2025 grown to a record 180 members. These ambassadors, spanning academia, business, medicine, finance, innovation, and public service, have collectively helped secure 27 out of 76 major international conventions confirmed for 2025 to 2027. Combined, these events are expected to draw over 180,000 MICE visitors to the city, contributing significant economic and intellectual capital.
Hong Kong will continue its hosting momentum with other high-profile debut events including the IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference (March 2025), Routes World (September 2025), and the World Cancer Congress in 2026.
