Following the global launch of the Principles for Responsible Banking on 22 September 2019 at the United Nations in New York with 130 banks collectively holding USD 47 trillion in assets signed up, UNEP Finance Initiative together with the Japanese Principles for Financial Action (PFA), a Japan nation-wide sustainable finance forum, held a Japan launch event to raise awareness of this new significant initiative to the wider audience in Japan on 10 October.

Following a brief introduction by Yuki Yasui, Asia-Pacific Regional Coordination Manager of UNEP FI, a congratulatory speech was delivered by a special guest, Mr. Satoshi Ikeda, Chief Sustainable Finance Officer of the Financial Services Agency. In the panel discussion “The start of a new era of 3 sustainable finance initiatives – PRI, PSI and PRB”, three distinguished panels, representing the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), UNEP FI’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) and the new Principles for Responsible Banking shared their own and institutional memories of the launch of each set of Principles and provided feedback on their expectations for the newly launched banking framework. The session was moderated by Mr. Takejiro Sueyoshi, Special Advisor to UNEP FI in the Asia Pacific region, who originally proposed this event.

The launch event was attended by more than 100 people from 40+ banks, service providers, media, and policy makers. It affirmed that the PRB’s requirements including impact identification and reporting is a new journey for most institutions anywhere in the world and therefore both domestic, regional and global, institution-wide and industry-wide collaborations are essential.

The event concluded with a comment by Mr. Haruhiko Nishimura, Director, Environment and Economy Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment.

 

 

Agenda

  • Opening remarks
    Takejiro Sueyoshi, UNEP FI Special Advisor in the APAC region
  • Introduction to the Principles for Responsible Banking
    Yuki Yasui, UNEP FI APAC Regional Coordination Manager
  • Special guest speaker
    Satoshi Ikeda, Chief Sustainable Finance Officer, Japanese Financial Services Agency
  • Panel discussion
    In the era of three sustainable finance initiatives ‒ PRI, PSI and PRB
    Moderator: Takejiro Sueyoshi, UNEP FI Special Advisor in the APAC region

    • Masahiro Kato, Head of Responsible Investment, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank
    • Hiroo Shimada, Deputy Manager of Corporate Planning Department, Tokio Marine
    • Tsukasa Kanai, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings
  • Closing remarks
    Haruhiko Nishimura, Director, Environment and Economy Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment