“…we will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself. In the near future – and sooner than most anticipate – there will be a significant reallocation of capital.” Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, in his 2020 letter to CEOs

Bridging the Gap – Advancing Asia’s Sustainable Future

Sustainable investing assets are now estimated at over USD 30 trillion (as of 2018) and will continue to grow rapidly based on demand from investors, businesses and companies around the world. As the world grapples with climate change, we expect significant capital shifts into sustainable strategies. In ASEAN, it is estimated that a USD 200 billion flow of green finance is needed every year till 2030. Given current annual flows of USD 40 billion, there needs to be a concerted effort in bridging this financing gap.

How can we enhance the role of capital markets to support the needs of this region? How can we accelerate sustainable investing? What are the regulatory hurdles to sustainable finance? What are the financing instruments available and how can we more effectively crowd in capital?

BlackRock, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Temasek will convene the first-ever Singapore Sustainable Investing & Financing Conference (SSIFC) on 30 September 2021. 

Themed “Bridging the Gap – Advancing Asia’s Sustainable Future”, the conference is designed to spark deep conversations about the drivers needed to catalyse sustainable investing and financing. Leveraging the combined networks and expertise across our three organisations, SSIFC will bring together key actors from the Asia-Pacific region, including senior level representatives from central banks, SWFs, financial institutions, private banks, government agencies and corporations.


Programme

29 SEP 2021

Marina Bay Sands

Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 5

Morning plenary

Timings indicated are Singapore time (GMT+8)
10:00 – 10:45
Opening Remarks and Fireside Chat
45 mins
Speaker and Moderator
Speaker
Lawrence Wong speaker frame
Lawrence Wong

Minister for Finance, Republic of Singapore

Moderator
Png Chin Yee speaker frame
Png Chin Yee

Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Temasek

10:45 – 11:30
Galvanising Green Infrastructure Financing 
45 mins

This panel will explore the urgency and criticality of sustainable and green infrastructure financing to move the world towards a net-zero emissions path – and how private investment and financing are increasingly vital to drive this shift in the wake of COVID-19. The panel will also explore the various instruments and investment approaches available to broaden private sector participation in financing such transactions.

Speakers and Moderator
Speakers
Eugene Cheng speaker frame
Eugene Cheng

Group Chief Financial Officer, Sembcorp Industries

Eric Francia speaker frame
Eric Francia

President & CEO, ACEN

Alfonso Garcia Mora speaker frame
Alfonso Garcia Mora

Regional Vice President, Asia and Pacific, International Finance Corporation

Moderator
Jennifer Tay speaker frame
Jennifer Tay

Partner, Infrastructure Leader​, PwC Singapore

12:00 – 12:45
The Future of ESG Integration
45 mins

Global sustainable investment now tops USD 30 trillion—up 68 per cent since 2014 and tenfold since 2004. The acceleration has been driven by heightened social, governmental, and consumer attention on the broader impact of corporations, as well as by investors and executives who realise that a strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) proposition can safeguard a company’s long-term success. This panel will explore how investors will grow in their sophistication in integration methodology and technology use especially in this era of climate and pandemic risks. We will also look at the future of ESG disclosures, and how specific ESG issues such as diversity and inclusion, and ESG in compensation will shape the global corporate agenda.

Speakers and Moderator
Speakers
Martina L. Cheung speaker frame
Martina L. Cheung

President, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Luo Nan speaker frame
Luo Nan

Head of China, Principles for Responsible Investment

Kyung-Ah Park speaker frame
Kyung-Ah Park

Head, ESG Investment Management & Managing Director, Sustainability, Temasek

Emily Woodland speaker frame
Emily Woodland

Managing Director & APAC Co-head of Sustainable Investing, BlackRock

Moderator
Janine Guillot speaker frame
Janine Guillot

CEO, Value Reporting Foundation


Evening plenary

Timings indicated are Singapore time (GMT+8)
17:30 – 18:45
The Impact Revolution
75 mins

Global societies are facing pressing and urgent social and environmental problems, and the need for impact capital is greater than ever to serve underserved markets and communities. Currently estimated at USD 715 billion and set to grow to up to USD 26 trillion, the impact investing space continues to attract a fast-growing cohort of investors with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside strong financial returns. As we move into a post-Covid world, this session will discuss global and regional impact trends and both private and public investment opportunities such as financial inclusion, affordable healthcare, education, sustainable agriculture, green energy, amongst others. As flows continue to accelerate, this session will also focus on developments and challenges in this space including impact management and measurement, and how the fast-growing industry can evolve to efficiently deploy much needed capital to underserved communities.

Speakers and Moderator
Speakers
Sir Ronald Cohen speaker frame
Sir Ronald Cohen

Chairman, The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment

David Heng speaker frame
David Heng

Founder & CEO, ABC World Asia

Ruth E. Horowitz speaker frame
Ruth E. Horowitz

Head, IFC Asset Management Company

Andy Kuper speaker frame
Andy Kuper

Founder & CEO, LeapFrog Investments

Benoit Valentin speaker frame
Benoit Valentin

Head, Impact Investing​, Temasek

Moderator
Amit Bouri speaker frame
Amit Bouri

CEO & Co-founder, Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)

19:45 – 20:00
The Geopolitics of Sustainable Investing
15 mins

Throughout history, governments have competed to secure access to primary fuels, mineral resources and food supply, causing geopolitics to have a profound impact on capital markets. The climate agenda could disrupt these traditional supply chains and relationships significantly.

For now, with America rejoining the Paris climate accord, China’s departure from its CBDR-RC principle to set a net-zero target, and ~124 nations making net-zero pledges before COP26, it seems that the collective urgency for climate action could result in a great prospect for cooperation amongst world powers.  This discussion will explore the impact of the global climate agenda on geopolitics and what this means for global investments.

Speaker and Moderator
Speaker
Henry M. Paulson, Jr. speaker frame
Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

Founder & Chairman , Paulson Institute

Moderator
John Vaske speaker frame
John Vaske

Head, Americas; Head, Agribusiness, Temasek

20:00 – 20:45
Sustainable Investment Trends
45 mins

COVID-19 has undeniably changed the way we go about our daily lives. It has made us more empathetic as a society, and yet more conscious of risks that lie ahead. What are the thematic trends that investors should pay attention to as we head into the decade of action for the climate and the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030? And how can we identify purposeful businesses that will show resilience and profitability in the long term?

Speakers and Moderator
Speakers
Philipp Hildebrand speaker frame
Philipp Hildebrand

Vice Chairman, BlackRock

Rohit Sipahimalani speaker frame
Rohit Sipahimalani

Chief Investment Officer, Temasek

Stephanie von Friedeburg speaker frame
Stephanie von Friedeburg

Senior Vice President, Operations, International Finance Corporation

Moderator
Haslinda Amin speaker frame
Haslinda Amin

Anchor and Chief International Correspondent for Southeast Asia, Bloomberg

20:45 – 21:00
Ecosperity Week Closing Address
15 mins
Speaker
Speaker
Ho Ching speaker frame
Ho Ching

Executive Director & CEO, Temasek Holdings


Speakers & Moderators

Minister for Finance
Republic of Singapore
Anchor and Chief International Correspondent for Southeast Asia
Bloomberg
CEO & Co-founder
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
Group Chief Financial Officer
Sembcorp Industries
President
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Chairman
The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment
CEO
Value Reporting Foundation
Founder & CEO
ABC World Asia

About the Organisers






BlackRock disclaimer

This is issued by BlackRock and does not constitute investment advice or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell in any securities, BlackRock funds or any investment strategy nor shall any securities be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Risk is inherent in all investing. © 2021 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners. MKTGM0521A/S-1661400