Opening remarks by SITI at Coding4Integrity Asian Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon Grand Finale (English only) (with photo)
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Thank you, Mr Woo (Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Mr Danny Woo) - and thank you to everyone here today.
It is inspiring to see so many young minds come together to tackle the challenge of corruption through innovation and technology (I&T).
Integrity is shaped by ethics, policy and education, but today you show that integrity is also manifested through creativity and hands-on experience.
This Hackathon demonstrates how youth can spark fresh ideas and bring real solutions. We are not just talking about integrity as a value; we are giving it flesh and blood by coding and applications.
Hong Kong continues to thrive on innovation and cross-border partnerships as an international I&T centre. Today's Hackathon shows exactly how innovation can drive progress in society and promote integrity across regions through collaboration.
Speaking of progress and our strides to become an international I&T centre, I am delighted to share that the World Intellectual Property Organization has recently ranked the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster first among the world's top 100 innovation clusters in its 2025 Global Innovation Index. This accolade is an affirmation of the vibrant I&T ecosystem we are building together in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area).
Like integrity, innovation meets no boundaries. Two days ago, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in his 2025 Policy Address outlined a series of forward-looking initiatives to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence in Hong Kong and push our boundaries for I&T.
AI is the key driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution, as well as industrial transformation. The widespread application of AI can create greater value for our society. To capitalise on the potential of AI, the Government will set up an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team and put in place an AI toolbox to foster more extensive adoption of AI technology in public administration and delivery of public services.
This Hackathon shows the diverse possibilities and immense power of AI applications in every facet of daily life. As you innovate, never forget a key component - integrity, which is the bedrock of trust and confidence in our systems and society.
Before I close, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to ICAC, UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), and IAACA (International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities) for co-organising this meaningful event. Best of luck to all the teams. I look forward to seeing your ideas grow and make a lasting impact. Thank you.
Ends/Friday, September 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:09
Issued at HKT 15:09
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