Agenda - ADSFF 2023

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As we look forward to a pivotal COP28 in the UAE, the financial sector is increasingly focusing on implementing systems to unleash the trillions of dollars in private finance needed to unlock critical infrastructure investment, to power us towards net zero by the middle of the century.

Returning to an in-person format, the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will convene top global institutional investors, Government leaders, regulators and financial institutions to discuss areas of collaboration to increase the flow of capital toward sustainable investment.

ADSFF is a flagship initiative by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre. ADSFF is held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Time
Session
Speakers / EMCEE
08:30 09:30

Registration + Networking Breakfast

ADSFF will begin with a networking breakfast along with the registrations.

Consultative Roundtable, with ADGM FSRA

Private event, hosted in ADGM boardroom. Invitation by special arrangement.

09:30 09:33

MC Welcome

Welcome Remarks of the 5th Edition of ADSFF.

Sarah Cocker

Emcee

Sarah Cocker

Amplify Project

09:33 09:38

Opening Address by ADGM

This ADSFF opening address, the FSRA CEO will reiterate the need for an evolving regulatory framework, reflecting the shift of markets to a more sustainability conscious future.

Ahmed Al Zaabi

Speaker

Emmanuel Givanakis

CEO, FSRA, ADGM

09:38 09:45

A Very Special Guest Keynote

This exclusive keynote will present the perspective of our very special guest speaker, as she emphasizes Abu Dhabi’s commitments to a sustainable future, and her hopes for COP28.

H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan

Speaker

H.H. Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan

President/CEO of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA)

09:45 09:52

Cultivating a New Energy Era

As Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week draws to a close, join the CEO of organiser Masdar, as he reflects on the key outcomes and agreements of ADSW, the latest developments in Masdars journey, and his hopes for a pivotal year ahead.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi

Speaker

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi

CEO, Masdar

09:52 10:00

A Green Falcon Economy?

How can the adoption of a Green Growth Strategy in the GCC grow GDP from $2trillion in 2022, to more than $13trillion in 2050, almost double the usual scenario? Join the World Bank in this special session, as we chart the flight of the Green Falcon Economy.

Ferid Belhaj

Speaker

Issam Abousleiman

GCC Director, World Bank

10:00 10:10

How The Worlds Largest Climate Fund is Approaching 2023 and Beyond

Established by 194 Governments, GCF is the largest global fund dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and helping vulnerable societies adapt to the impacts of climate change. This session unpacks GCFs views on the state of climate finance, its landscape and architecture and vision for the year ahead.

Hong-Thuy Paterson

Speaker

Hong-Thuy Paterson

Chief Finance Officer & Chief Operations Officer, Green Climate Fund

10:10 10:25

The Great Investment Shift

In this special fireside chat, Hiro Mizuno reflects on his time as UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Innovative Finance & the Chief Investment Officer of the world’s largest pension fund as he deliberates on the changing landscapes of investors globally and the innovative paths across finance and investment, to fast forward climate solutions.

Hiro Mizuno

Speaker

Hiro Mizuno

CEO, Good Steward Partners

Richard Dean

Moderator

Richard Dean

Radio Presenter, Dubai Eye

10:25 10:45

Financing A Sustainable Future: The Big Bank’s Perspective

This session will convene the leadership of several leading regional banks, to share their views on the current landscape affecting the financing of sustainability, the special role the region has to play in financing for net zero, and their perspectives as we gear up for COP28.

Lina Osman

Speaker

Lina Osman

Head of Sustainable Finance, West, Standard Chartered

Zoe Knight

Speaker

Zoë Knight

Group Head of the HSBC Centre of Sustainable Finance and Head of Climate Change MENAT, HSBC

Shargiil Bashir

Speaker

Shargiil Bashir

Chief Sustainability Officer, F.A.B.

Sarah Cocker

Moderator

Sarah Cocker

Amplify Project

10:45 10:55

Why Social Contribution is Everyone's Responsibility

In the lead up to COP28, every institution is playing their part to evolve their business models and practices in line with the sustainable targets and goals of the nation. This keynote will address Ma'an's efforts to support startups and businesses that lead sustainable impacts and how the Social Investment Fund, MSI and Social contracting, are examples of how Ma'an is spearheading social development with sustainable impacts in the region.

H.E. Salama Ajlan Alameemi

Speaker

H.E. Salama Al Ameemi

Director General, Ma'an

10:55 11:05

Remarks from the Securities & Commodities Authority

Actions to mitigate climate change are now at the front end of any nation’s economic agenda and especially, the U.A.E. has an ambitious strategic initiative to achieve Net Zero by 2050. In this session , learn how, as a regulator and facilitator of the UAE capital markets, SCA is prioritizing implementation of the sustainable investment strategy. This includes transition towards green financial markets, addressing the issue of access to the required funding for enterprises, and embracing technology and innovation

H.E. Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi

Speaker

H.E. Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi

CEO, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)

11:05 11:10

ADGM Sustainable Finance Declaration

The latest signatories of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration join on stage to solidify their commitment, in this special Signing Ceremony

11:10 11:40

The Global Carbon Market Opportunity

In the first of our deep-dive panels, our experts debate the global carbon market opportunity. Voluntary carbon markets – national and international – refer to the issuance, buying and selling of carbon credits, on a voluntary basis. By including the price of emissions in the cost of doing business, companies are incentivised to adopt low-carbon technologies and adapt their working practices. issues discussed will include the entire value chain and commercialization of carbon credits and how decarbonization can be achieved by different stakeholders - both, regionally and globally.

Thomas McMahon

Speaker

Thomas McMahon

CEO & Co-founder, AirCarbon Exchange

Speaker

Constance Chalchat

Chief Sustainability Officer, BNP Paribas

Speaker

Iain Mackay

Head of Environmental Products, EMEA, Morgan Stanley

Speaker

Francois Merget

Senior Brokerage - Tradition Financial Services

Speaker

Ben Worley

Co-founder, Spiro Carbon

Moderator

Dorjee Sun

CEO, Bioeconomy

11:40 12:05

How Cooperation Will Drive Sustainable Finance

As the world's leading institutions make transformational changes to their business strategy to deliver on climate targets, this panel discusses the collaborative networks and trackers forming around capital markets, and the relationship between private sector and Government, and the clear policy signals needed to foster regulatory predictability, and commercial stability, as financial companies prioritize environmental and social governance within operations.

Speaker

Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli

Lord Mayor of London’s Aldermanic Representative, City of London

Speaker

Anita Karnik

VP Project Advisory & Structured Finance, SBI Capital Market

Speaker

Stig Pastwa

Partner and COO, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Speaker

Mikael Down

Executive Director, Global Sustainability Office, Morgan Stanley

Speaker

Issam Abousleiman

GCC Director, World Bank

Moderator

Claire Cummins

Head of ESG, Climate Fund Managers

12:05 12:25

Coffee Break

12:25 12:35

The Future of Carbon Credits & Blended Finance: Articulating Article 6 for Investment

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement aims at promoting integrated, holistic and balanced approaches that will assist governments in implementing their NDCs through voluntary international cooperation. This cooperation mechanism, if properly designed, should make it easier to achieve reduction targets and raise ambition. This special presentation from an Ivy League institution articulates article 6 for investment.

Speaker

Ely Sandler

Researcher, Harvard Kennedy School

12:35 13:00

Implementing Concrete Transactions & Products

Financial products need to evolve and track evolving stakeholder’s needs in sustainability. What are the strategies and innovative products involved, across the financial sector, in building ESG driven transactions? How are these products being designed and implemented for concrete, measurable impact? This session will answer how feasible this can be and provide views from across industry perspectives.

Speaker

Pierre Abadie

Group Climate Director, Tikehau Capital

Speaker

Bakr Abdel-Wahab

CIO & Investment Committee Member, Vortex Energy

Speaker

David Papazian

CEO, Armenia National Interest Fund

Speaker

Anthony Taylor

Senior Executive Officer, Masdar Green REIT

Speaker

George Attewell

CEO & Chairman, OTSIT Group

Moderator

Fatimah Bello

Founder, SWD Futures

13:00 13:30

Innovative Ways To Mobilize Finance For Sustainable Impact

UNCTAD estimates that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require $3.9 trillion to be invested in developing countries each year, yet there remains a significant funding gap between what is needed, and what is available. Various forms of innovative finance are emerging to accelerate the mobilization of the private sector for development. What does the intersection of innovation, sustainability and finance look like? This panel will bring together the startups, accelerators and platforms driving change that matters.

Speaker

Jay Sadiq

Founder & CVO, FortyGuard

Speaker

Vinoda Basnayake

President, Aspiration International

Speaker

Tony Verb

Co-Founder, Carbonless Asia

Speaker

Miray Zaki

Managing Director, Head of Sustainability, Gulf Capital

Speaker

Wa’el Almazeedi

CEO, Avance Labs

Moderator

Alberto Peralta

Director of Innovation, Abu Dhabi University

13:30 14:10

Showcase: Sustainable Innovation Champions, 2023

Shortlisted startups and ventures will pitch onstage and be recognised for their groundbreaking work in driving the sustainability agenda across the region.

Startup

Marc Garcia-Duran

President, Underwater Gardens International

Startup

Fakhul Miah

CEO, CreDA

Startup

Zain Tarawneh

Co-founder & CMO, Green Future Project

Startup

Akhil Gupta

CSO, Livall

Startup

Martin Reynolds

Founder & CEO, Zero Carbon Ventures

Startup

Luca Raffaele Poletti

Managing Partner & Founder, Seven Trees Holding

Startup

Saeed Al Qubaisi

Founder & Chairman, Seven Trees Holding

Startup

Elias El Mrabet

Co-founder, Greenomy

Startup

Keith Agoada

Co-founder, Producers Trust

14:10 14:15

The Role of Education in a Green Financial Future

The demand for responsible and sustainable investments is growing and so is the need for certified experts that guide these important decisions. Join the London Institute of Banking & Finance to learn more.

Alex Fraser

Speaker

Alex Fraser

Chief Executive, London Institute of Banking & Finance

14:15 14:20

CLOSING REMARKS

Summation of the 5th edition of ADSFF 2023.

Sarah Cocker

Emcee

Sarah Cocker

Amplify Project

14:20 15:20

Networking Reception & Lunch

ADSFF will conclude with a networking lunch, where delegates will discuss and debate the findings of the day, and agree progressive actions and steps for development.