Singapore, 23 April 2021 – The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) launched their latest module – “Sustainable Investing & MAS Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management” – on their online portal iLearn today. This module was created with the support of the IMAS Environmental Risk Management Working Group (EnRM WG), which comprises representatives from fund management companies who had previously worked with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to co-create the Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management for Asset Managers (“Guidelines”) that were issued in December last year.
This first-ever environmental, social, and governance (ESG) module by IMAS seeks to provide the asset management industry with an introduction to sustainable investing, along with insights on the key factors driving sustainable investment, the various methods to practise sustainable investing as well as the challenges of ESG adoption in Asia, to list a few. In addition, the module dives deep into the MAS’s Guidelines, and supplemented with case studies to facilitate application by the industry.
“IMAS has an important role in Singapore’s strategy to go green, and will provide further support in the nation’s most recent initiative, the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Just this year, we co-drafted the EnRM guidelines and co-funded a handbook on implementing environmental risk management. Moving forward, we believe that the launch of this ESG e-learning module will reinforce our focus on building capability within the industry and help asset managers develop the knowledge and skillsets they require,” said Susan Soh, Chairman of IMAS.
The handbook was issued by the Green Finance Industry Taskforce convened by the MAS, which IMAS is a strategic partner of, to offer guidance on best practices in environmental risk management.
“A stewardship mindset drives the creation of sustained long-term value by balancing the needs of all stakeholders including society, future generations and the environment. Establishing an ESG investment framework is the natural next step for investors to put the stewardship mindset into practice; and IMAS’ iLearn platform will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for them to start the journey,” said Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre.
As part of IMAS’ continued efforts to support the upskilling and reskilling of our industry, in particular in the ESG space, this module will be made available on iLearn, an online portal which seeks to centralise curated training programmes for professionals working in Singapore’s investment management industry to broaden and deepen their skills and expertise.
“We warmly congratulate IMAS on the launch of its first ESG course on iLearn portal. The module covers the MAS Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management and is also relevant to insurers with investment activities in Singapore. They should leverage on this shared ecosystem and benefit from the resources made available on iLearn,” said Pauline Lim, Executive Director of Life Insurance Association Singapore.
This is just another one of IMAS’s initiatives that demonstrates IMAS’s continued commitment to help the industry build capacity and, IMAS is not new to this ESG journey. Since five years ago in 2016, IMAS has expressed its support of the Singapore Stewardship Principles (SSP) for Responsible Investor, aimed to foster good investor stewardship in Singapore, and is a member of the SSP Steering Committee as well as served as one of the five advisory board members of the Advisory Group to the Asian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI) by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), creating various masterclasses and workshops to build capability within the industry.
“IMAS recognises that great potential in the ESG sector also brings about challenges and we are strongly committed in assisting investment managers overcome these challenges to reap the long-term benefits. By utilizing technology in this digitally-savvy society, we believe that iLearn is able to facilitate continuous professional development and cement our competitive position as the representative body of investment managers in Singapore” said Carmen Wee, Chief Executive Officer of IMAS.
Registration for courses on iLearn are now available at https://www.imas.org.sg/ilearn. iLearn provides curated learning specific to the buyside including specialised courses such as liquidity risk management practices and advertising & marketing. As the national investment management association, IMAS’ courses are available to both members as well as non-members.
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About the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS)
Representing over 100 investment managers with assets under management in Singapore of more than SG$1.3 trillion, the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) seeks to set the benchmark for the investment and fund management industry in Singapore by fostering high standards and professionalism while promoting exemplary practices among its members. IMAS is the representative body of investment managers spearheading the development of the industry in Singapore. It serves as a forum for members in discussions as well as a collective voice where representation is needed on behalf of the investment management industry, facilitating training for its members, and contributing towards investor education.
For media queries, please contact:
Ashley Tan
FPR
T: 6438-2990
E: IMAS@financialpr.com.s
