CEOs invited to signing event being held at UN Headquarters parallel to high-level UN General Assembly
Leading banks around the globe that are members of UNEP FI have set 22 September as the official launch date of the industry-developed UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking. The Principles provide the framework for a sustainable banking system in which a bank’s business strategy is aligned with society’s goals, and guide banks in demonstrating how they are making a positive contribution to society – an increasing expectation of their customers, clients and investors, as well as society-at-large.
Bank CEOs are invited to participate in the official signing event being held at the United Nations Headquarters parallel to the high-level United Nations General Assembly, which convenes world leaders to address priority global goals.
View CEO Guide for the launch events in New York City
130 banks have committed to become Founding Signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking. The Principles have been shaped in a way as to be relevant to any bank, regardless of its starting point on their journey to becoming “responsible”, and provide flexibility depending on the capacity and country-context of the institution.
“The Principles for Responsible Banking have been designed to meet the varied needs and capacities of banks around the globe to serve the societies they operate within, in order to maximize participation in a sustainable banking system,” said Simone Dettling, UNEP FI Banking Team Lead.
“The high number of institutions already committed to implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking, paves the way for an accepted industry standard for ‘responsible banking’,” she added, “enabling a bank to measure and demonstrate to its customers, clients and investors how it is meeting their responsible banking expectations.”
Ready to endorse?
Banks and stakeholders, such as investors, regulators, associations and civil society institutions that are ready to endorse the Principles of Responsible Banking can easily do so. Banks may endorse by submitting a letter of confirmation from their CEO, while other endorsing institutions may submit a stakeholder endorsement letter.
CEOs wishing to take part in the official signing launch event in New York City are invited to contact us as soon as possible. The 22 September official launch events will be followed on 23 September by a banking industry event hosted by BNP Paribas in New York City.