The global recognition reinforces IMAS’s long-standing advocacy for the advancement of sustainable finance in Singapore and the region.
Singapore, 23 October 2023 – The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS), represented by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carmen Wee, participated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s 8th World Investment Forum (WIF) from 16 to 20 October 2023.
Held in Abu Dhabi, the biennial multi-stakeholder gathering hosted some 8,000 participants including heads of state, government ministers, sovereign wealth fund managers, and heads of international organisations. The forum addressed key investment challenges caused by today’s multiple global crises, and sought solutions and consensus on climate finance and investment priorities – all under the established WIF’s theme of “Investing in Sustainable Development”.
Carmen Wee was invited to join the UNCTAD Sustainable Investment Advisory Council early this year. The council is tasked to provide guidance on the strategic direction of various sustainable finance initiatives, helping the UN deliver its mandate on sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).1
Following her appointment, she featured as a forum panelist in two UNCTAD session23 where she spoke about sustainable finance regulations and sustainable finance in emerging markets. She was also an award presenter at the United Nations Sustainable Fund Awards 2023.
Carmen Wee, CEO of IMAS commented, “I am honored to showcase Singapore’s journey towards sustainability alongside esteemed global leaders. IMAS is privileged to have contributed to this progress through our active participation in diverse channels not only in Singapore but also across Asia. Joining the advisory council further reinforces our commitment in advancing the sustainability journey and drive towards a brighter sustainable future.”
To support Singapore’s ESG drive, IMAS has actively contributed in various national initiatives such as its representation on the Green Finance Industry Taskforce (GFIT) and Singapore Funds Industry Group (SFIG), in addition to its work on the steering committees of Stewardship Asia Centre’s Singapore Stewardship Principles (SSP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s Asia Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI). Notably, IMAS also co-drafted the Environmental Risk Management guidelines with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and published a handbook that offers guidance to asset managers on best practices in environmental risk management as well as a number of ESG e-learning courses on iLearn together with WWF and Singapore Green Finance Centre (SGFC).
Last week, IMAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Asset Management Association of Shanghai (AMAOS) to strengthen cross-border cooperation. Read more here.
[1] https://sdginvestors.net/about/
[2] https://worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org/session/international-sustainable-fund-conference
[3] https://worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org/session/international-sustainable-finance-regulation-conference
About the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS)
The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) was founded on 22nd September 1997 by 10 major financial institutions in Singapore and has since grown to include more than 150 members. As a representative body of investment managers, IMAS spearheads the development of the industry in Singapore, by fostering high standards of professionalism amongst practitioners and creating public awareness of, and interest in the industry. We act as a forum for members, promote exemplary best practices, represent members collectively, educate investors, and improve standards of research and fund management expertise, as a collective drive to promote the investment management industry.
Media Contact
Financial PR
Tang Hong Ee / Lee Ke Wei
T: 6438-2990
E: IMAS@financialpr.com.sg
