#Singapore #Sustainable Finance #UN Global Compact #PRI

Accelerating Sustainable Finance for a Resilient Future

On March 6, 2025, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) held a pivotal Executive Roundtable at Orchard Hotel in Singapore. This event gathered influential leaders—including CEOs, CFOs, and institutional investors—aimed at fostering a dialogue on how to channel private and institutional capital into sustainable development initiatives. The pressing issues discussed included biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and the necessity to address the significant financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Challenge of Meeting SDGs

In light of the alarming $1.5 trillion annual shortfall in funding needed to achieve the SDGs in Asia, leaders delved into innovative strategies for scaling financial mechanisms that can stimulate inclusive growth and sustainable development. The roundtable echoed the urgency outlined in the UN's Road Map for Financing the 2030 Agenda, signaling a call for private sector leadership to mobilize capital towards projects that align with sustainability.

Key Themes and Discussions

The discussions were anchored around two main themes:

1. Financing for Development
Participants examined ways to boost capital flows into emerging markets, addressing obstacles that hamper investment and ensuring long-term alignment of financial markets with sustainable goals.

2. Biodiversity and Climate Finance
Leaders explored the integration of biodiversity considerations into investment frameworks, emphasizing the need for capital allocation toward ecosystem restoration and climate resilience initiatives.

Voices from the Roundtable

Neha Das, the Head of Asia/Oceania for UN Global Compact, stressed the pivotal role corporate leaders play in driving sustainable finance. “Achieving the SDGs necessitates courageous leadership and actionable solutions from the private sector. By incorporating sustainability into business models and investment strategies, companies can hasten the journey toward a more robust and equitable global economy,” she remarked.

David Atkin, CEO of PRI, highlighted the fiduciary obligation of institutional investors to integrate sustainability-related factors into their investment choices. “The discussion at this roundtable is a crucial step in understanding how proactive leadership can pave the way for a sustainable future, not just in Singapore but globally,” he noted.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the roundtable drew to a close, participants were urged to enhance their commitments to sustainable finance by:

• - Aligning corporate financial strategies with sustainability principles.
• - Collaborating with policymakers to eliminate regulatory barriers and promote sustainable investment practices.
• - Advancing standardized reporting on biodiversity and climate-related financial risks.

This significant gathering marks a foundational step toward deeper engagement between businesses and institutional investors on sustainable finance solutions, setting the stage for future UN Global Compact efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. Together, these leaders are looking to not only contribute to economic growth but to ensure that such progress is sustainable and inclusive for future generations.

About the UN Global Compact

The UN Global Compact aims to accelerate and amplify global corporate sustainability efforts by bringing together businesses to uphold its Ten Principles and facilitate the realization of the SDGs. With over 20,000 companies participating worldwide, it remains the largest initiative for corporate sustainability.