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May 22, 2025: SBFN Welcomes the New Member: Southern African Development Community Banking Association
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On May 15, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) held luncheon for Latin American and the Caribbean members during the III Latin American Congress on Sustainable and Inclusive Banking organized by FELABAN, a SBFN member, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The event brought together representatives from 14 SBFN member institutions in Latin America, alongside key regional stakeholders from the financial sector—including local institutions—totaling 68 participants. For members unable to attend in person, the meeting was also streamed live.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Moldovan Banks Association (ABM) as its newest member. This membership marks a significant milestone in the network’s growth and global partnerships, commemorating the addition of the 100th member. Established in 1993, the ABM is a professional, nonprofit organization representing the banking sector in the Republic of Moldova. As a key industry platform, ABM works to strengthen Moldova's sustainable economic growth and aligning the financial sector with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
On March 27, the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) hosted the Sustainable Finance Taxonomies Roundtable in Johannesburg, South Africa. Held on the sidelines of the Africa Sustainability Forum, organized by the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), the Roundtable brought together regional and local policymakers, practitioners, and experts in sustainable finance taxonomies.
Leading global institutions and initiatives convened a roundtable in Geneva to discuss implementation of the Roadmap for Advancing Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies (Taxonomy Roadmap). Launched during COP29 in Azerbaijan last November, the initiative is a joint effort by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBAR), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF).
The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) through its Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched the “Roadmap for Advancing Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies.” The Roadmap was officially unveiled during COP29’s Finance, Investment, and Trade Day at a high level event titled “Advancing Sustainable Finance across the Globe: Roadmap towards Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies.”  
The World Bank Group and partners launched the “Sustainable Finance Knowledge Center for Francophone Africa” on October 1, 2024. This virtual platform, available in both English and French, is designed to equip companies and financial institutions across Francophone Africa with the knowledge and skills necessary to accelerate the transition toward sustainable finance and business models.
The IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) concluded its 8th Global Meeting on September 11-12, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, alongside the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting, marking a significant milestone in the global effort to align sustainable finance frameworks and elevate the voice of emerging markets on the international stage.
BSEC, established in 1993 as the regulatory authority overseeing Bangladesh’s capital market, continues to ensure the protection of investors and maintain transparent and efficient securities markets. Through this collaboration, BSEC is taking further strides to integrate sustainable finance into the country's development agenda, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SERC plays a crucial role in regulating, supervising, and developing Cambodia’s securities sector. It has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable finance within Cambodia and the broader ASEAN region, working closely with development partners to issue guidelines and promote the issuance of sustainable bonds. To diversify the sustainable bond products, SERC is also working on developing the sustainability-linked bond guideline.
The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has proactively established two key committees—the Risk Committee and the Investment Committee—each focused on addressing climate-related risks and promoting green investments within their respective scopes. In addition to these efforts, CBBH is poised to launch an ESG Task Force, which will be instrumental in developing a comprehensive roadmap for the bank’s ESG initiatives. A new strategy for the period 2025-2027 is also under preparation, setting forth the bank’s future goals and activities related to ESG and climate issues.
The Sustainable Finance Roadmap, developed in close collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and informed by the SBFN Toolkit for Developing National Sustainable Finance Roadmaps, sets a strategic vision for the Republic of Moldova, introducing key terms into the country’s legal framework and setting priorities for action from 2024 to 2028. It includes four main pillars, each detailing specific actions and measures to be implemented, ensuring a structured approach to achieving sustainable finance objectives.
On World Environment Day, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the Philippines kicked off its 2nd Climate Forum, a pivotal event dedicated to fostering discussions and actions towards the net-zero transition for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Held from June 5 to June 7, 2024, the forum convened key stakeholders including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), an SBFN member since 2013, Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and significant private sector partners such as The Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, Bank of the Philippine Islands, RCBC, GCash, and Maya.
Established in 2001, the CBCG is responsible for monetary policy, and the establishment and maintenance of a robust banking system and an efficient payment system. In response to the pressing challenges of sustainability, the CBCG has enacted policies to strengthen its financial system's resilience. In line with this commitment, in 2022 it adopted the Central Bank of Montenegro Policy Related to Climate Change Challenges and also joined the Network for Greening the Financial System.
ABANC, a non-profit organization, represents all banks in Angola while fostering inclusivity and independence within the banking sector. Founded with the aim of fortifying Angola’s financial infrastructure and fostering stronger ties with society, ABANC is committed to nurturing a resilient banking sector that aligns with the nation’s evolving needs. Prioritizing ESG and sustainable finance, ABANC has initiated a dedicated task force to execute its strategic agenda, targeting key milestones over the next 2 to 3 years: (i) promoting alignment with global sustainable finance standards, (ii) fostering innovation, credibility, and operational efficiency in banking practices, and (iii) facilitating strategic alliances for the association and its members.
In a concerted effort to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Sustainable Finance practices, Banking Associations (BAs) across the Western Balkans gathered for a Training of Trainers (ToT) event on April 26, 2024. Organized by IFC's Integrated ESG Program in collaboration with the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) and Sustineri Partners, the event unfolded under the auspices of the ESG Adria Summit