SINGAPORE, March 6, 2025 /CNW/ — The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) successfully hosted the Executive Roundtable on Sustainable Finance – Driving Leadership in Sustainable Finance for a Resilient Future at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore today. This premier assembly convened CEOs, CFOs, and institutional investors to channel private and institutional capital towards sustainable development financing, addressing biodiversity loss, and bridging the SDG financing gap in the Asia-Pacific region.
As Asia faces an annual deficit of $1.5 trillion to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discussions focused on enhancing innovative financing methods to promote inclusive growth, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The roundtable, in alignment with the UN’s Road Map for Financing the 2030 Agenda, highlighted the urgent necessity for private sector leadership in mobilizing capital for the Global South and incorporating sustainability-related elements into financial decision-making.
Key Themes and Insights
The discussions revolved around two central themes:
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Financing for Development: Participants examined strategies for boosting capital inflows into emerging markets, addressing investment obstacles, and synchronizing financial markets with long-term sustainability objectives.
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Biodiversity & Climate Finance: Attendees discussed how businesses and investors can integrate nature and biodiversity into their investment strategies, ensuring that capital supports climate resilience and environmental restoration.
During the event, Neha Das, Head of Asia & Oceania at UN Global Compact, emphasized the significance of corporate leaders in promoting sustainable finance: “Achieving the SDGs necessitates bold leadership and decisive actions from the private sector. By integrating sustainability into business and investment strategies, companies and financial institutions can expedite progress towards a more resilient and equitable global economy.”
David Atkin, CEO of PRI, stressed the critical role of investors’ actions: “Institutional investors have a fiduciary duty to factor in sustainability-related considerations in their investment and ownership choices. Additionally, a supportive policy environment is crucial in fostering sustainable finance. We appreciate the UNGC-PRI roundtable participants for engaging in vital discussions on how leadership in these realms can pave the way for a sustainable future in Singapore and beyond.”
The roundtable wrapped up with a call to action for businesses and investors to:
