HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This two-day conference, hosted by the Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA), offers influential industry players from around the globe an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, debates and analyses around the theme of Scaling Up Sustainable Finance in Asia, identifying areas of focus for the industry over the next decade, as well as explaining how investors and financiers can best position themselves to maximize returns over the long-term.
ASrIA is at the forefront of sustainable growth, providing industry leadership, in-depth studies and valuable resources to sovereign wealth funds, regulators, investment managers, corporations, service providers and policy groups. “As the global centre of gravity shifts towards Asia, this unique opportunity will examine how Asian financial markets are approaching sustainability and highlight best practice and innovation in both the developed, emergent and emerging economies,” says ASrIA chair Alexandra Tracy. “Participants from across the financial eco-system will debate key issues to explore the opportunities and challenges for scaling up sustainable finance in Asia Pacific region. We are confident ASrIA’s 10thAnniversary Conference will chart the path for the next ten years of responsible investment and sustainability practice.”
Global leaders and experts from the Asia Pacific region will examine the industry’s progress and share perspectives on key challenges it faces to shape Asia’s next decade. World class speakers, who are key thought leaders in sustainable investment, include Jed Emerson, the founding director of REDF, one of the United State’s first venture philanthropy funds. Emerson played a key role in advancing Social Entrepreneurship and innovations in strategic giving. The Nonprofit Times has twice selected Jed as one of the “Top 50 Most Influential People in the Nonprofit Sector.”; Paul Clements-Hunt, one of the two lead UN representatives throughout the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) development and sits as the UNEP representative on the PRI Advisory Council; and Rafael L. Marques, who served as the Senior Vice President of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) where he was actively involved in all phases of the feasibility and design phases of the Chicago Climate Exchange.
These, amongst other, world class speakers will identify and address issues that are common to and unique within markets across this diverse region, such as China, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and Vietnam. These issues include climate change, shareholder engagement and disclosure, environmental, social, minority rights. The current status of the sustainable finance industry in industrialised, maturing and emerging markets across Asia will also be discussed.
“At ASrIA’s 10th Anniversary Conference I look forward to sharing our experiences in responsible investing with my institutional investor peers in Asia,” says David Russell, Co-Head of Responsible Investment at Universities Superannuation Scheme (UK), who is also speaking at the conference. “We hope to provide insights into effective investor collaboration and believe climate and environmental concerns remain critical – no more so than in Asia.”
Another speaker, Mark Dickens, Head of Listing Division, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, clarifies “As the market regulator, we want to strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting among listed companies for their own benefit, and also for the benefit of investors”
Asia’s forerunners in sustainable investment have showed a great support for this milestone event. "We are a proud key sponsor of ASrIA’s 10th Anniversary Conference because we need to discuss how to scale-up sustainable investments dramatically. Our future depends on it,” says Mr Sérgio Pimenta, East Asia and Pacific Director at IFC, the member of the World Bank Group focused on private sector development in emerging markets. “Investing in a socially and environmentally sustainable way has emerged as a winning value proposition in Asia — it's prudent risk management and leaves lasting benefits for communities and investors.” Based in Hong Kong, he directs IFC's advisory and investment operations in the region with a financing volume of close to $2 billion in fiscal year 2011.
Importantly, Sustainable Finance in Asia Awards will be presented to Asia’s outstanding sustainable finance leaders at the Gala Dinner celebrations on 28 September 2011, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Nominations are available now at http://list.asria.org/sri/event/110818_awards/survey.html. Awards include best company analyst, most progressive asset owner, most progressive banker, most progressive corporate leader, best portfolio manager, most progressive insurer and best sustainable business or finance writer. For the latest information, online resources and the 10th Anniversary Conference registration, please visit www.ASrIA.org.
Note to Media: A media room will be provided for group interviews with selected speakers (to be confirmed) on 28 September 2011 (Wednesday). Interested parties please contact us beforehand to reserve a seat.
Major sponsors:
IFC, and other sponsors include IMPAX, BNP Paribas, SAM, Dow Jones Indexes, Bloomberg, Calvert, Sindicatum Carbon Capital, EFP, New Forests and Wilbury Stratton.
Sponsors’ Quotes:
"Investors and companies around the world are increasingly recognizing that environmental, social, governance and other extra-financial (ESG) information directly impacts their reputation, value and performance," says Amanda Dobbie, Director of Sales, Australia & New Zealand, Bloomberg LP. "At this conference, we will provide business and market leaders with insights on how they can use ESG data to make better investment decisions."
About ASrIA
Launched in 2001, The Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA) is a not for profit, membership association taking a leadership role in promoting corporate responsibility and sustainable finance practice in the Asia Pacific region. Members are drawn from the Asian and international financial services industry with an interest in sustainable investment. ASrIA's goal is to build market capacity for SRI by fostering the creation of SRI products and services and providing training and support services, including conferences, seminars, workshops, research projects and publications to raise the standards of SRI practice and build momentum for SRI in Asia and beyond.