The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR) (the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance), and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today (April 11) successfully co-organised the International Conference on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Payment Systems. The conference was attended by over 100 representatives from central banks, international bodies, academia, financial institutions and fintech firms.

     The conference kicked off with keynote speeches by the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, and the Deputy Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department of the International Monetary Fund, Dr Dong He. Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Princeton University and the Director of Princeton's Bendheim Center for Finance, Professor Markus Brunnermeier, also delivered a keynote speech for the afternoon session.

     During the policy-oriented panel discussions and academic presentations, distinguished speakers from central banks, international bodies and academia shared their views on the latest developments pertaining to CBDCs and digital payments. Topics covered included the role of CBDCs in underpinning monetary policy, the co-existence of private and public money and their interplay in terms of interoperability, functionality and applications, and the future financial landscape with the rise of digital money.

     Mr Yue said, "This conference has been an excellent opportunity to garner the insights of leading experts to holistically develop a vision for the future of money, and to align key stakeholders in establishing a strong foundation for the next frontier of financial innovation. As a regulator, we will continue to be open-minded, responsive and prudent as part of upholding Hong Kong's position as a leading financial centre."

Ends/Thursday, April 11, 2024
Issued at HKT 17:35

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