BAI Hong Kong Dinner and Reception 2025
On 23 June 2025, Blockchain Alliance International hosted a Gala Dinner and Official Launching Ceremony of the BAI Hong Kong Regional Office in Hong Kong SAR, bringing together participants of the Asia-Pacific Digital Economy Forum alongside distinguished guests from government, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and media. The evening marked both a celebratory conclusion to the day’s Forum and a forward-looking milestone in BAI’s regional expansion, reinforcing its commitment to advancing inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific.
The event opened with remarks by Ambassador Alexandru Cujba, Founder and BAI Executive Presiden, who reflected on BAI’s journey since its establishment in 2019 and reaffirmed the organization’s mission to ensure that emerging technologies serve humanity. Ambassador Cujba highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as a global hub for finance, innovation, and connectivity, noting that the new Regional Office will act as a platform for action – supporting the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Digital Economy Initiative, strengthening regional partnerships, and translating global frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact into practical, locally relevant impact.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mr. Cao Tongquan, Director of the BAI Hong Kong Office, who shared his vision for building collaborative models that bridge global digital principles with grassroots innovation, particularly for underserved regions. The program also featured addresses by Mr. Liu Jingming, Director of the Office of the China Center for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Mr. Yi Hui, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Committee of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, who emphasized the role of emerging technologies – especially AI and digital platforms – in empowering SMEs and strengthening regional economic resilience.
A central highlight of the evening was the official opening ceremony of the BAI Hong Kong Office, symbolically led by Ambassador Cujba and Mr. Cao Tongquan. Together, they unveiled the office plaque, marking BAI’s expanded regional presence and its intention to deepen engagement with public institutions, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystems throughout the Asia-Pacific. The ceremony underscored BAI’s vision of Hong Kong as a bridge between international policy dialogue and practical digital solutions.
The Gala Dinner also served as a platform for announcing new strategic partnerships. Ambassador Cujba formally introduced the BAI Education Initiative, aligned with SDG 4 on Quality Education, aimed at strengthening digital literacy and capacity-building for diplomats and public-sector leaders through workshops and seminars on blockchain, AI, and Web3. In this context, BAI announced a new partnership with OORT, represented by Ms. Toya Zhang, OORT Hong Kong Director, recognizing OORT’s leadership in decentralized AI infrastructure and ethical innovation. A further partnership was announced with MetaEra, with Ms. Jessica Yang, CEO of MetaEra, receiving a BAI Partnership Certificate, highlighting shared commitments to knowledge-sharing, digital inclusion, and innovative outreach across the Web3 ecosystem.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Cujba invited participants to continue working with BAI across upcoming United Nations forums and regional initiatives, emphasizing that collaboration across sectors and borders is essential to ensuring that technological progress remains human-centered and inclusive. The Gala Dinner not only celebrated a successful launch, but also laid the foundation for new partnerships, projects, and dialogue – signaling BAI’s determination to contribute meaningfully to a more equitable and sustainable digital future in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.