Registration 12:15pm
Lunch 12:30pm
Close 2:00pm

The Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. Yet, the financing requirements are estimated to be at least USD1.4 trillion per year in the coming years, which cannot be covered by state budgets alone. Only the investment market can mobilize funding on this scale. Impact and development investment challenge the long-held views that social and environmental issues should be addressed only by philanthropy, and that market investment should focus exclusively on achieving financial returns. A panel of experts explores the mechanisms financing the Sustainable Development Goals, how investors are monitoring and evaluating them, and how Hong Kong positions itself in this growing landscape to capture the opportunities.

Rachel Freeman manages the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Advisory of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Asia Pacific on climate finance, bank-fintech partnerships, supply chain finance, credit scoring, gender finance and agrifinance since 2002. Ms. Freeman is one of the initiators of the ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN), which creates a testing environment for banks and fintechs.  

Ronie Mak is Managing Director of RS Group, a family office focused on sustainability. She is an investment banker by training with over 15 years of banking and finance experience. Prior to joining RS Group, Ms.Mak spent eight years at HSBC across various roles, including the Chief Executive Officer’s office, Strategy and in-house M&A, and also served in corporate finance positions within KPMG, UPS and HSBC. 

Rochus Mommartz serves as Chief Executive Officer of responsAbility Investments AG, a leading asset manager in development investments, managing 15 products that invest across the developing world for both market-level returns and a positive impact. At responsAbility, Mr. Rochus created two private equity permanent capital structures and designed the legal framework for the microfinance sector in eight countries.

Michel Roy is Senior Regional Officer for Crédit Agricole CIB Asia-Pacific, a pioneering bank in climate finance, and leader in green and sustainability bonds. He previously was Senior Country Officer for Crédit Agricole CIB in Japan, India, Korea and Taiwan. Prior to joining Crédit Agricole CIB, Mr. Roy served as Head of the Multinational Group in Hong Kong and Head of Corporate Banking in Taiwan at Crédit Lyonnais. 

Andrew Peaple is The Wall Street Journal's Deputy Finance Editor for Asia and Editor of the Heard on the Street column for the region, based in Hong Kong. He has been with the Journal since 2003, including in the paper’s Beijing office from 2007 to 2010. Prior to his journalism career, Mr. Peaple was a UK-qualified chartered accountant, working in London and Tokyo. (Moderator)

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Regular Menu

Poached prawn salad with lemongrass

Roasted chicken breast with spinach risotto, baby vegetables and tarragon jus

Vanilla crème brulee tart with raspberries

Vegetarian Menu

Beetroot salad with baby mozzarella, walnuts and orange essence (V)

Roasted vegetable napoleon stick of Portobello mushroom, eggplant and herbs oil (V)

Vanilla crème brulee tart with raspberries