World Alliance Young Academic Award 2025 – Winners Announced
The World Alliance is pleased to announce the winners of the Young Academic Award 2025, recognizing outstanding research at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and innovation.
After a competitive selection process, the top three finalists presented their research during the WAIFC Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt.
First Place – Vivi Yuwei Liao (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong)
Paper: "Adaptation Finance for Emerging Markets"
Vivi, a PhD candidate at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), impressed the jury with her innovative research on green finance and its role in supporting adaptation strategies for emerging markets. Her work sheds light on how sustainable finance can be mobilized to meet the pressing challenges of climate change.
Second Place – Wilson Tsz Shing Wan (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong)
Paper: "Greenwashing risks in the corporate climate bond markets: Expenditure-based measurement, and its implications for financial market stability"
Wilson, also a PhD candidate at HKUST and currently with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, secured second place with his insightful study on the risks of greenwashing in climate bond markets and its broader implications for financial stability.
Third Place – Prakriti Chahar (Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance, India)
Paper: "Do International Financial Centres Enable Circular Economy Investment? Firm-Level Evidence from BRICS Economies"
Prakriti, with co-authors Dr. Deepa Pillai, Dr. Neha Parashar, and Apoorva Joshi, was recognized for her interdisciplinary research bridging sustainable finance and healthcare accessibility, with a special focus on ESG integration and circular economy investments.
The World Alliance warmly congratulates the winners for their contributions to advancing global discussions on finance, sustainability, and resilience. Their research highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of international financial centers.
The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) is a non-profit association registered in Brussels, Belgium, which represents leading international financial centers and facilitates cooperation and the exchange of best practices. WAIFC members are city governments, associations, and similar institutions developing and promoting their financial centers.
WAIFC facilitates cooperation between its members, the exchange of best practices, and communication with the general public.
Contact:
- Abdulrahim Osman, WAIFC Press Officer, osman@waifc.finance