EVENT DESCRIPTION
To achieve ambitious sustainability objectives, it is imperative that International Financial Institutions collaborate more closely with other financing institutions, including local banks, to leverage investment funds and dedicated investment vehicles and implement financing products and instruments that go beyond traditional project-based financing.
Scaling up financing through financial intermediaries (FIs) requires the flexible application of environmental and social policies and standards. Such an approach is to accommodate variations in partner FIs’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and related policies and capacities. It also takes into account the rapidly evolving global landscape for ESG frameworks.
Cohosted by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF), this environment and social safeguards community of practice seminar will explore good practices, instruments and tools, global ESG frameworks, and emerging standards to help International Financial Institutions manage environmental and social risks associated with intermediated finance investments.
AUDIENCE
- Environment and social safeguard practitioners and investment operations staff of International Financial Institutions
- Policy makers and representatives from international development organizations, local financial institutions, consultancies, and other stakeholders
FORMAT
The event is a two-day hybrid seminar, to be held at AIIB headquarters in Beijing and online via Zoom. Presentations and discussions will be held in English. Simultaneous Chinese interpretation will also be provided. Presentations and knowledge products based on the seminar content will be uploaded on the MCDF JIGSAW platform.
EVENT STRUCTURE
Plenary Session A: Application of Environmental and Social Standards in Intermediated Finance – Opportunities, Challenges, and Global Trends
Plenary Session B: Application of Environmental and Social Standards in Capital Market Investments
Day 2, 26 January 2024
Parallel Session 2a: Financial Intermediary – Social Risks, Challenges, and Efficient Approaches to Managing Adverse Impacts
Parallel Session 2b: Experience with the Application of Environmental and Social Tools and Applications
AGENDA
Master of Ceremony
Jenny Lou Fernandez, Platform Consultant, Event Management, MCDF
Welcome Note
Urjit Patel, Vice President, Investment Operations Region 1, AIIB (Online)
Opening Note
Zhongjing Wang, Chief Executive Officer, MCDF
Keynote Speech
Jay Collins, Vice Chairman of Public Sector & Banking, Citi (Online)
10:20 – 12:00
Plenary Session A: Application of Environmental and Social Standards in Intermediated Finance – Opportunities, Challenges, and Global Trends
Rapporteur: Sabah Iqbal
Objectives: Discuss how E&S risks and impacts are assessed and managed in intermediate finance; FI internal governance, roles, and responsibilities; and challenges faced while implementing E&S standards in different kinds of intermediate finance modalities.
Moderator
Ede Ijjasz, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, MCDF
Keynote Speech
Rong Zhang, Global Coordinator, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Alignment and Interoperability of Sustainable Finance Regulations and ESG Risk Management Frameworks
Keynote Speech
Alistair Clark, Senior E&S Consultant, AIIB (Online)
Community of Practice: Financial Intermediaries, a Personal Perspective
Panel Discussion
Rong Zhang, Global Coordinator, SBFN, IFC
Alistair Clark, Senior E&S Consultant, AIIB
Theresa Ehmann, Head of Division, Competence Center E&S Sustainability, KfW
Jesper Anderson, Director, Head of Quality Assurance & Reporting, Nordic Development Fund (NDF)
Rong Zhou, E&S Specialist, Operational Services Department (OSD), AIIB
13:30-15:10
Parallel Sessions 1a: Integration of ESG in Emerging Market Funds
Rapporteur: Wenchao Cao
Objectives: Discuss market trends, implementation capacities, and the maturity of clients for the implementation of multilateral development banks’ (MDBs) E&S requirements by using ESG frameworks, with a focus on emerging market funds.
Moderator
Dr. Prasad Modak, Managing Director, Environmental Management Centre Pvt. Ltd.
Keynote Speech
Viviane Otsubo Kwon, Co-head Sustainable Innovation, Santander Bank
The implementation of the Sustainable Finance Classification System by Santander in Brazil
Keynote Speech
Kisoo Park, Managing Partner, Head of Business Development / Head of ESG, STIC Investments
Opportunities and Challenges in Implementing ESG Initiatives in Korea Private Equity Funds
Panel Discussion
Viviane Otsubo Kwon, Co-head Sustainable Innovation, Santander Bank
Daniel Novaes, ESG Officer, Vice President, Vinci
Kisoo Park, Managing Partner, Head of ESG, STIC Investments
Alexey Akulov, Principal E&S Specialist, NDB
Pedro Ferraz, E&S Specialist, OSD, AIIB (Online)
13:30-15:10
Parallel Sessions 1b: Integration of ESG in Local Financing Institutions
Rapporteur: Ning Wu
Objectives: Discuss market trends, implementation capacities, and the maturity of clients for the implementation of the MDBs E&S requirements by using ESG frameworks, with a focus on local financing institutions (including banks, microfinance institutions, leasing companies, etc.)
Moderator
Neil Mascarenhas, Asia Lead, Sustainable Investing & Innovation Platform, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Keynote Speech
Josefina Lindblom, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission (Online)
Keynote Speech
Nana Khurodze, Trade Facilitation Programme, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (Online)
EBRD Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP)
Panel Discussion
Josefina Lindblom, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
Nana Khurodze, Trade Facilitation Programme, EBRD
Peiyuan Guo, UNEP FI Advisor in China
Mark Barnard, Senior E&S Specialist, OSD, AIIB
Nurlan Djenchuraev, Senior Environment Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Neeraj Jain, Senior Investment Officer, BNK 1, AIIB
15:30-17:20
Plenary Session B: Application of E&S Standards in Capital Market Investments
Rapporteur: Vladimir Hecl
Objectives: Discuss recent trends in capital market development, with a focus on sustainability, climate, and the environmental agenda, and share first-hand experience from different counterparts, including MDBs, issuers, investors, and reviewers.
Moderator
Isabell Laurent, Deputy Head of Treasury, EBRD
Keynote Speech
Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative (Online)
Next for Standards Development in Thematic Finance
Keynote Speech
Alexey Akulov, Principal E&S Specialist, NDB
ESG Assurance System for Sustainable Debt Instruments and Fundraising
Panel Discussion
Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative
Alexey Akulov, Principal E&S Specialist, NDB
Yang Shuai, Senior Operations Management Officer, OSD, AIIB
Han Zhao, Senior Investment Officer, BNK 2, AIIB
Bryan Woon, Head of Structuring and Distribution, Bayfront Infrastructure Management
17:10-17:20
Wrap-up of Day 1
18:00-19:30
Evening Reception
9:10-10:30
Parallel Session 2a: Financial Intermediary – Social Risks, Challenges, and Efficient Approaches to Manage Adverse Impacts
Rapporteur: Suu Tran Quy
Objectives: Discuss the potential social risks and challenges of FI projects that need to be identified, managed, and monitored in line with the applicable requirements of MDBs. In addition, examine measures to effectively manage the risks and adverse social impacts of FI transactions.
Moderator
Richard Sherrington, Principal Safeguards Specialist, Office of Safeguards, ADB
Keynote Speech
Suu Tran Quy, Social Development Specialist, OSD, AIIB
Social Risks in FI Transactions – How They are Managed by AIIB
Panel Discussion
Siva Rama Krishna Sastry Jyosyula, Senior Social Development Specialist, AIIB
Rhea Branzuela Reburiano-Javier, Social Development Officer, Office of Safeguards, ADB
Katherine Elizabeth Thelander, Environmental and Social Safeguards Adviser, Australian Infrastructure Investment Facility in the Pacific (Online)
Satoshi Ishihara, Senior Social Development Specialist, The World Bank
9:10–10:30
Parallel Session 2b: Experience with Application of E&S Tools and Applications
Rapporteur: David Rollinson
Objectives: Discuss utilizing E&S tools and instruments on behalf of fund managers and MDBs to independently review the risks. Focuses will include the various tools used, challenges in using them, and opportunities for enhancements.
Moderator
Tim Cook, E&S Lead & Partner, Infravue
Keynote Speech
Oliver Warner, Managing Director, IBIS Consulting
Application of E&S instruments in FIs
Panel Discussion
Oliver Warner, Managing Director, IBIS Consulting
David Rollinson, Senior Environmental & Social Specialist, OSD, AIIB
Brendan Cuddihy, ESG Leader, Infrata
Milica Popovic, E&S Lead, Arup Serbia
Saranga Gajasinghe, Safeguards Officer, ADB
10:50–12:50
Plenary Session C: IFI Experience Sharing
Rapporteur: Roberto Tordecilla
Objectives: MDBs and development partners share information about their projects as well as broader updates with the community of safeguards practitioners and stakeholders.
Moderator
Roberto Tordecilla, Senior E&S Specialist, OSD, AIIB
Experience Sharing
Ming Hao, Investment Officer, Banking 2, AIIB
AIIB’s Experience in Managing E&S Risks and Impacts of FI Projects
Parthapriya Ghosh, Senior E&S Specialist, OSD, AIIB
AIIB’s Experience in Managing E&S Risks and Impacts of FI Projects
Yun Zhou, Senior Environment Specialist, Office of Safeguards, ADB
Jian Zhou, Social Development Specialist (Safeguards), ADB
ADB’s Experience in Managing E&S Risks and Impacts of FI Projects in the People's Republic of China
Yukihiro Shibuya, Senior Social Development Specialist (Safeguards), ADB
Enhancing Individual and Institutional Capacity of FIs in Central and West Asian Region
Luisa Rosas, Environmental and Social Specialist, Competence Center E&S Sustainability, KfW
KfW Experiences with Intermediate Finance and E&S Requirements
David Williamson, Head of ESD Operations, EBRD (Online)
EBRD’s Environmental and Social Due Diligence for Financial Institutions: Current Practice and Future Plans
Key Takeaways
Ines Fejzic, Senior Environment and Social Development Specialist, MCDF & Session Rapporteurs
Closing Note
Ines Fejzic, Senior Environment and Social Development Specialist, MCDF
Closing Remarks
Yanning Wang, Director General, OSD, AIIB
13:30-14:30
Lunch & Networking
