The 2025 HKUST GEAR Conference on Trade and Development was held on June 10-11, 2025, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The event was jointly organized by the HKUST Department of Economics and the Greater Eurasia Research Centre (GEAR), and brought together leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss key issues facing trade and development, with a special focus on the region. Among the speakers were Prof. Klaus Desmet, Southern Methodist University and GEAR IAB, Prof. Pengshan Pan, New Uzbekistan University and GEAR resident scholar, Dr. Albert Park, Asian Development Bank, Dr. Lyaziza G. Sabyrova, Asian Development Bank.
The conference provided a vital platform for the exchange of ideas and analysis of current trends and challenges in trade and development. It featured presentations by nine distinguished scholars, reflecting the high caliber of expertise present. The event committee consisted of Prof. David Cook, Prof. Amber Li, Prof. Edwin Lai, Prof. Bo Chen, Prof. Yuk-fai Fong, Prof. Pak Hung Au, Prof. Xinyu Hua, and Prof. Kohei Kawaguchi.
Discussion topics covered a range of pressing topics, including regional economic integration, impact of digitalization, sustainable development, geoeconomic fragmentation, policy uncertainty, global value chains and trade imbalances.
The 2025 HKUST GEAR Conference on Trade and Development successfully fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among experts and stakeholders. The discussions and research shared during the event contributed to a deeper understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities shaping trade and development in the Greater Eurasia region.
