HONG KONG — More than 1,300 executives from credit unions and financial cooperative organizations from around the world will meet tonight (Saturday in the United States) to inaugurate its 2008 World Credit Union Conference. The Conference will run in Hong Kong from July 13 through July 18 (July 12 through July 17 in United States).

By hosting the annual event here, WOCCU will bring global credit union leaders to a city which is a gateway to one of the world's fastest growing economies and an international center of consumer culture while remaining connected to challenges of urbanization and development.

Many of WOCCU's scheduled speakers appear prepared to address some of the important issues which the Conference's Hong Kong venue will highlight, with discussions of the role of accountability in serving credit union members, what role CUs can play in developing affordable housing around the world and what a philosophy of financial cooperation can bring to economies increasingly preoccupied with economic goals and pressures.