The Division of Public Policy (PPOL) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) successfully hosted the 2025 AUA Asia Pacific Public Policy Network Conference on May 22–23, 2025. The event convened over 200 participants from 50 institutions across 17 countries, underscoring the growing regional and international interest in collaborative public policy dialogue.

The Conference, themed “Innovating Governance: AI and Data Science in Public Health and Urban Development”, provided a dynamic platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions on the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in governance.

Distinguished keynote speakers Prof. Benjamin CACHRO and Prof. Maurizio D. DUSSAUGE delivered insightful addresses on the integration of technology into policy frameworks, setting the tone for a series of panel discussions and research presentations on topics including AI in healthcare, urban planning, and social equity.

This conference underscores PPOL’s commitment to fostering academic exchange and policy innovation across the Asia-Pacific and beyond, as well as shaping the future of evidence-informed policymaking.