This session focused on a discussion with members on SBFN’s strategic outlook and priorities, led by the SBFN Secretariat.
Rong Zhang, SBFN Global Coordinator

This session was an opportunity to share global trends and initiatives on sustainable finance by the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG), and CoP29.

Moderator: Rong Zhang, SBFN Global Coordinator

Wang Xin, Director General of Research Bureau, People’s Bank of China; Co-Chair of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group

Shahin Mahmudzada, Executive Director of the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Representing COP29 Presidency)

This dynamic and interactive session focused on connecting dots and making sense of every aspect of the global sustainable finance market. IFC’s Green Bond Technical Assistance Program (GB-TAP) discussed the evolution of the sustainable bond market, the backstory behind each label, the interconnection of various market players, and the most invested types of green and social projects that are bringing life- changing impact to everyday people around the world. GB-TAP experts answered each and every question to empower practitioners with both the knowledge and inspiration to change culture, guide investment behavior, and shift the world to a greener and more sustainable future.

Francisco Avendano, Senior Operations Officer, Climate Business, IFC Helena Dill, Sustainable and Climate Finance Specialist, IFC

Irina Likhachova, Global Lead for Biodiversity Finance, IFC

Yang Li, Sustainable Finance Market Specialist

This session featured short presentations of successful initiatives, achievements, and case studies by SBFN members from various regions across emerging markets.

Moderator: Wei Yuan, SBFN Regional Coordinator, IFC

Anca Dragu, Governor, National Bank of Moldova

Walid Ali, Head, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt

Ahmed Imad, Deputy Governor, Maldives Monetary Authority

Natalia Valinoti, Head of Accounting Standards Division –
Regulations, Central Bank of Paraguay

Kieran St Omer, Senior Project Officer, Lead Greening the Financial System, ECCB

This panel discussion delved into the pivotal role that the financial sector
plays in guiding and supporting the transition. Discussions focused on the
responsibilities of financial sector regulators in setting and governing
sustainability goals, as well as the importance of strategic planning and
implementation through partnership between public and private sectors.
Panelists, including senior representatives from international organizations,
policymakers, and private sector, shared insights on the importance and
challenges of transition planning. The session aimed to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the financial sector’s role in leading the
transition.

Moderator: Veronica Nyhan-Jones, Global Head of Climate Capacity
and Inclusion Accelerator, IFC

Rami Aboul Naga, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Egypt

Gabriela Bertol, Senior Head Strategic Execution Sustainability & Net
Zero, Santander Brazil

Jamie Fergusson, Global Director of Climate Business, IFC

Isabela Maia, Head of Department, Sustainability and International
Portfolio Investors Relations Unit, Central Bank of Brazil

Alex Michie, Managing Director, The Glasgow Financial Alliance for
Net Zero (GFANZ)

Collective actions and partnerships are needed to build a harmonized
international approach for sustainable finance taxonomies. This panel
discussed how to increase alignment and interoperability of taxonomies to
achieve both global goals and national priorities and will highlight the needs
of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The panel explored
topics such as emerging best practices in taxonomy transparency
and disclosure, enabling cross-border capital flows towards sustainable
projects, and ensuring consistency in sustainable investment practices.

Moderator: Louise Gardiner, Climate Finance Practice Lead, IFC;SBEN Advisor

Dilrukshini WA, Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Rustam Tahirov, Director of the Financial Sector Sustainable
Development Department, Central Bank of Azerbaijan
(Representing COP29 Presidency)

Karina Velasquez, Executive Secretary, Central American Council of
Superintendents of Banks, Insurance and Other Financial
Institutions (CCSBSO)

Zofia Wetmanska, Taxonomy Manager, Climate Bond Initiative
Lucia Marin, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission DG
Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Capital Markets Union
(Representing the International Platform on Sustainable Finance –
IPSF)

Experts examined the hurdles and opportunities associated with
adopting and implementing sustainability reporting standards in EMDEs.
The discussion covered the various frameworks and guidelines currently
available, in particular the emergence of global standards such as the IFRS
S1 and S2, the specific challenges EMDEs face in aligning with global
standards, and the benefits of enhanced transparency and accountability to
drive the transformation toward sustainability. Panelists included
representatives from regulators, standard-setting bodies, and international
organizations who shared their experiences and strategies, highlighted
successful case studies, and provided practical advice for EMDESs striving to
adopt and implement sustainability reporting and disclosure practices.

Moderator: Svetlana Klimenko, Lead Climate Finance Specialist,
World Bank

David Utiashvili, Head of Financial Stability Department, National
Bank of Georgia; Co-chair of the SBFN Data and Disclosure Working
Group

Joseph Akwasi Kuma, Head, Project Management Office, Bank of
Ghana

Vania Borgerth, Deputy Head of International Relations at the
Brazilian Committee for Sustainability Pronouncements (CBPS)

Elizabeth Seeger, Board Member, International Sustainability
Standards Board (ISSB)

This panel discussion addressed the critical role of Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and supply chain finance to achieve
sustainability goals. Panelists explored how democratizing access
to sustainable finance can empower MSMEs to support environmental and
social objectives. The session highlighted the challenges MSMEs face in
accessing finance and the innovative solutions being developed to
overcome these barriers. Experts shared their experiences and discuss
strategies to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of sustainable
finance initiatives.

Moderator: Marcela Ponce, Sustainable Finance Advisory Services
Lead, IFC; SBFN Coordinator for Latin America & the Caribbean

Ellen Joyce Suficiencia, Director, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP);
Co-Chair of SBFN Inclusive Sustainable Finance Task Force

Alexandra Mendoza de Castro, CEO-Founder, Liquitech

Alexander Sotiriou, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, CGAP

Lucila de Silva, Deputy Director Risk Management & ESG, Mexican
Banking Association