Submitted by E.M. Williams on Wed, 19/11/2014 - 14:11
24 June 2014 – Over 100 representatives of banks, consumer goods companies, agricultural producers and NGOs attended the BEI Forum 2014 in Hong Kong. The event was opened by Antony Jenkins, CEO of Barclays. He was followed by more than 20 speakers in keynotes and panels.
The annual conference for international banks and corporations working towards sustainable global trade.
The Banking Environment Initiative Forum came to Asia in 2014. Following on from a successful session at Davos, the 2014 event featured ground-breaking work in using trade and supply chain finance instruments to encourage sustainability in agricultural commodities. Hong Kong, with its status as a regional trade hub, was the ideal location to bring together all the participants in this crucial project.
The Forum gathered together banks, producers and corporations who are leading the way in directing capital towards sustainable commodity supply chains. A mix of keynote sessions, real-world case studies and interactive panels left participants better equipped to succeed in a world where sustainability is becoming the key driver for global policy and trade.
The debate extended to the audience, who were actively involved in discussing progress on the BEI's Soft Commodities Compact, developed in co-operation with The Consumer Goods Forum. After the event, delegates mingled at an evening reception, held at The Upper House and sponsored by Barclays, which was also headline sponsor for the event, with Northern Trust, Westpac and Wilmar also sponsoring.
Asia Perspectives Panel: Why sustainability matters in Asia and what banks can do to help
Asian economies must tackle the twin challenges of encouraging growth while preserving the environment. This keynote address looked at how Asia’s banks and corporates are rising to the task and asks what the future holds for the region.
Investor Perspectives Panel: Sustainability risks and opportunities in corporate value chains in Asia
This panel discussion asked what priorities mainstream investors see for change in corporate value chains to tackle the twin challenges of encouraging growth while improving environmental and social outcomes.
