• Ma Jun, Chairman of Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), President of Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) • Huseyn Hasanov, Vice Rector on International Relationships, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)

• Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of UNEP and former Minister of the Environment and International Development in Norway • Shahin Mahmudzade, Executive Director, Central Bank of Azerbaijan • David Atkin, CEO, UNPRI

In Azerbaijan and Central Asia, there's a burgeoning movement towards establishing and promoting a "Sustainable Finance Taxonomy." For example, Kazakhstan has seen the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) spearhead the design of its green finance system since its inception in 2018, including the Green Bonds Rules and the new Ecological Code of Kazakhstan effective from July 2021 which encompasses a Green Taxonomy. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan signed a green finance cooperation agreement with the AIFC in 2022, aiming to develop a green project taxonomy and ESG standards, with plans to issue green bonds on the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange. This session will shed light on lessons and experience for further scaling up of sustainable finance in the region. Moderator: • Ma Jun, Chairman of Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), President of Institute of Finance and Sustainability Panelists: • Sean Carmody, Executive Director, Policy and Advice, APRA • Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative • Assel Nurakhmetova, Director of Carbon Platform, Acting Director of Sustainable Development, AIFC Authority • Sherry Madera, CEO, CDP • Simon Thompson, Managing Director, Global Capacity Building Coalition

One year after the finalization of the ISSB Standards, including IFRS S1 and S2, there have been lots of progresses in sustainability disclosure. However, there are also voices about the challenges and barriers in implementing these standards. Some regulators and investors are concerned with the interoperability among different standards, while some are also less aware of potential benefits of enhancing sustainability disclosure in the capital markets. The G20 has also looking into this topic for many years, specifically focusing on SMEs and EMDEs. With this background, the panel delves into various aspects of sustainability disclosure, focusing on challenges, benefits and solutions associated with disclosure, emphasizing its role in driving responsible business practices and fostering sustainable development. Moderator: • Zhang Rong, Global Coordinator, IFC-supported SBFN Panelists: • Dina Zhanadil, Managing Director, Development Bank of Kazakhstan • Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs & Capacity Building, IFRS • Marcus Pratsch, Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainable Bonds & Finance, DZ Bank • Bahruz Naghiyev, Deputy CEO, PASHA Bank

As oil and gas exporters, Azerbaijan and many Central Asian and Eastern European countries are facing natural risks brought about by climate change and are in need of economic diversification and new growth drivers. For example, Azerbaijan has set national targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035 based on 2030 levels, and by 70% by 2050. Achieving these goals requires an estimated investment of $4.4 billion, a large portion of which should come from commercial and private sector financing. Blended finance plays a pivotal role in driving the decarbonization of key infrastructure projects, such as those in energy, transport and buildings. By combining public and private sector funding, blended finance mechanisms can leverage resources more effectively, unlocking investments for sustainable infrastructure development. Moderator: • Christian Déséglise, Managing Director, Group Head of Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation, HSBC Panelists: • Jang Ping Thia, Lead Economist / Manager of Economics Department, AIIB • Patrick Yeung, Associate Director, Climate Action Platform of AVPN • Kamran Khan, Head of ESG Asia Pacific, Deutsch Bank • Dyogo Oliveira, President of Brazilian Federation of Insurance • Antonina Scheer, Policy Fellow and Research Project Manager, Transition Pathway Initiative Centre

Carbon pricing and carbon trading are key mechanisms in global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This mechanism creates financial incentives for emissions reductions while providing flexibility in how companies meet their targets. Both approaches are designed to internalize the environmental cost of carbon emissions and promote investment in clean technologies. However, debates persist around fairness and the effectiveness of implementation of the carbon market, integrity of carbon credits, as well as how these mechanisms can align with global climate goals like the Paris Agreement, while many economies have already made significant progresses. This session invites speakers from around the world to share their perspectives on how carbon pricing and carbon trading can be better designed and implemented to fulfill its goal of carbon emission reductions. Moderator: • David von Eiff, Director, Global Industry Standards, CFA Institute Panelists: • Ge Xing’An, Vice President, Susallwave • Stephen Nolan, Managing Director and Head of Secretariat UNDP FC4S • Hywel George, Director of Investments, Old Mutual Investment Group • Jessica Skedd, Green and Sustainable Finance Policy Manager, TheCityUK

Moderator: • Ma Jun, Chairman of Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), President of Institute of Finance and Sustainability Panelists: • Bo LI, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund • Wang Xin, Director General, Research Bureau, People’s Bank of China • Zhu Jun, Chairwoman, Silk Road Fund • Shanthessa Ragavaloo, Economic Policy Analyst, International Economic Relations and Policy Department, Reserve Bank of South Africa