AVPN Global Conference 2023 | 20 - 22 June 2023

Days
Hrs
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Secs

The CFO Coalition for the SDGs: Call to Action

By Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)

MARKET

Online

Date & time

(GMT +8)

21 April 2022

4:00pm

-

21 April 2022

5:00pm

About this event

As the role of CFOs becomes more catalytic in advancing sustainable finance, they are generating greater interest amongst a diverse group of actors such as DFIs, foundations, impact funds, corporate and commercial investors around the deployment of SDG-linked bonds. They are focused on the integration of ESG factors to deliver positive impact and financial performance. Across Western and Asian economies, CFOs from various marquee organizations are investing and reporting against SDG KPIs and targets aligned to the 2030 Agenda. CFOs are contributing more to the evidence base on why sustainable finance for the SDGs is critical in strengthening market opportunity and performance.

The United Nations Global Compact recognizes the importance of working with CFOs “to become the architects of long-term value creation” through its CFO Coalition for the SDGs, a group of CFOs from the world’s leading organizations, including IDB, PIMCO, Enel, Unilever, Verizon, Suzano, IDB, the African Development Bank, and additional leading corporates working together to advance sustainable finance. The group convenes around key principles set out by the UN Global Compact’s CFO Coalition to strengthen the value proposition and adoption of sustainable finance practices for CFOs, to improve and harmonize reporting, guided by ESG factors, and to bring together a global community of CFOs to market and communicate the importance of sustainable financed for the SDGs.

In collaboration with AVPN, members of the CFO Coalition for the SDGs, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative launched by the UN Global Compact, will share their perspectives on sustainable finance in Asia and discuss the role of CFOs in driving financing performance against the SDGs. The CFOs from TATA Steel and BRAC Bank Limited are among the leading CFOs driving changes across Asia through their SDG-linked investment products. To understand the emergence of CFO-focused initiatives, the Head of the Sustainable Finance Team at the UN Global Compact and Co-lead of the CFO Coalition, Marie Morice will moderate the discussion and provide insight on the role of the CFO Coalition for the SDGs.

Key Takeaways:

  • How CFOs are uniquely positioned to drive market changes and SDG investments and finance
  • The SDG investment and finance landscape in the Asia Pacific Region and emerging trends.
  • The role of the CFO Coalition for the SDGs in driving collaboration with CFOs to strengthen the adoption of sustainable finance principles; and partnering with UNGC’s Local Networks to expand our engagement with leading organizations

 

To learn more about the CFO Coalition for the SDGs, please refer following resources:

 

SPEAKERS
Koushik Chatterjee
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Board,
TATA Steel

Mr. Chatterjee completed his under graduation from University of Calcutta and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Since 1995, Mr. Chatterjee worked in TATA steel and Group executive office of TATA Sons in various capacities in areas of M&A, new ventures and corporate restructuring.

Mr. Chatterjee is on the Board of Tata Steel, Tata Steel Europe and several Tata Steel Group companies including as the Chairman of two publicly listed entities, viz. Tata Metals Ltd and Tinplate Company of India. He is also a member of the Board of World Steel Association Brussels.

Mr Chatterjee is a frequent public speaker at various conferences in India and abroad on Strategy, Financing, Sustainability and Climate Change, Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting. He is a member of various SDG related forums such as UN GC CFO coalition for SDGs, TNFD, TCFD, steering committee of UK Voluntary Carbon Markets, B20 taskforce on Energy, Climate & Resource efficiency and Responsible business.

M Masud Rana
CFO,
BRAC Bank Limited

Mr. Mohammod Masud Rana joined BRAC Bank Limited as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on October 01, 2019. Mr. Masud is also the chair of the Sustainable Finance Committee comprising the senior management of the bank which serves as the apex authority to supervise all sustainability activities.

With more than 23 years of diversified experience of public accounting, textile, pharmaceutical and banking, Mr. Masud brings additional technical expertise and diversified corporate experience to the leadership team at BRAC Bank. He started his career with SF Ahmed & Co. before joining BEXIMCO Garments & Textile Division in 2001 as Finance Manager. In 2004, he moved to Sanofi-Aventis as Financial Controller. He started his stint with Standard Chartered Bangladesh (SCB) in 2006 as the Financial Controller. During his tenure with SCB, he eventually went on to assume the role of CFO in 2016. Prior to joining BRAC Bank, Mr. Masud was serving the role of CFO in Dhaka Bank Limited.

He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant of ICAB and completed his Honors and Masters in Accounting from University of Dhaka.

Roberta Casali
Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management,
Asian Development Bank

Ms. Casali is Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management at Asian Development Bank(ADB). She assumed the position in January 2022. Ms. Casali is responsible for the overall management of the operations of the Office of Risk Management, the Controller’s Department, and the Treasury Department.

Ms. Casali is a financial expert with more than 30 years of executive experience in central banking and the financial sector. She held senior positions in the area of payment systems at the Bank of Italy, in both national and international roles, including contributions as a member of the Working Group on Retail Payment Systems in the Bank for International Settlements. Ms. Casali also has significant private sector banking experience, including more than 10 years at leading Italian international banking group Intesa Sanpaolo SpA. She served on a number of boards of listed and private companies as an independent chair and non-executive director.

She has a degree in Economics and Business Administration from La Sapienza University of Rome, a Master in Business Administration from University of Rochester in USA and a Certificate in Corporate Governance from INSEAD Business School in France.

MODERATOR
Marie Morice
Co-lead of the CFO Coalition,
Head of the Sustainable Finance Team  

UN Global Compact

Marie Morice is Senior Director of Strategy and Advocacy With 20+ years’ experience developing and leading global initiatives and business coalitions across sectors and geographies, she is currently heading Sustainable Finance at the UN Global Compact as well as Co-Leading the UN CFO Coalition for the SDGs, engaging 70+ FTSE 500 CFOs (www.cfocoalition.org). Morice has worked across industries, including at Barclays, Accenture, WWF and UK Department for Transport. She possesses diverse corporate skills in gaining buy-in from C-Suite, spearheading cause-related campaigns to shape policy, and linking shared value to commercial opportunities. She has issues expertise on sustainable finance, climate change and gender diversity and is multi-lingual working and living in Europe, Asia and the US.

*Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (“AVPN”) is a non-profit registered charity in Singapore dedicated to the power of networks to mobilise capital for impact. Our signature events are intended to be neutral, non-political and non-partisan platforms for AVPN members, partners and other stakeholders to connect and share best practices, experiences and knowledge within the network for the development of an impactful social investment community. Participants should refer to the information provided prior to each session about the session’s speakers, objectives and topic, including the audience profile who are expected to attend, where applicable. Information shared by the speakers at AVPN events and conferences is provided by third-parties, and does not represent the views of AVPN on any matter. AVPN does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of this information and is not liable nor responsible for reliance anyone may place on such information, participants should consume this information at their own risk. AVPN reserves the right to edit, cut down and adapt the content and materials at these activities to align with the stated agenda or purpose of the AVPN events or conferences. Any information or materials provided at these activities are only for information and knowledge sharing within the stated agenda or purpose and does not in any way constitute tax, legal, financial or investment advice, nor do they constitute offers, solicitations, or recommendations for any investment activity.

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