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VILNIUS. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) in close collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and DnB NORD Bankas will hold a seminar on finance and sustainability in Vilnius on 17 October. This seminar, the first of its kind to be held in the Baltic States, will be dedicated to senior and middle level management of financial institutions and non-governmental organizations.
The UNEP Finance Initiative represents more than 160 of the world’s leading financial institutions. In 2004, the UNEP FI established a Task Force for Central and Eastern Europe chaired by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Task Force aims to raise awareness of sustainable finance issues relevant in the CEE countries such as environmental credit risk management, responsible investment and corporate social responsibility.
“Financial markets worldwide are increasingly paying attention to integrate environmental, social and governance criteria in their investment and lending business. One of the examples underlining this trend is the Principles for Responsible Investment for public and private pension funds. These funds account for up to 35 percent of total global investment. The Principles were launched in April 2006 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and are now backed by more than USD4 Trillion of institutional investment funds. In international project finance, more than forty of the world’s largest project finance banks have signed the Equator Principles committing them to the highest environmental, social and governance standards for large projects over USD 50 million. These trends clearly show that sustainability and social responsibility issues have moved from a largely public relations focus to becoming mainstream in core financial activities, “ said Mr. Paul Clements-Hunt, the head of UNEP Finance Initiative at United Nations Environment Programme.
The Lithuanian supporting partner for the seminar is DnB NORD Bankas with its largest ultimate shareholder – Norway’s largest financial institution DnB NOR – being one of the UNEP FI member institutions.
“Over the past 15 years the Lithuanian finance sector has undergone vast transformation as the private sector has developed, and the country has changed into a market economy. During this transition phase, the banking system has grown, and our capital market has had improved liquidity and transparency. Now we believe that we are ready to start accounting for less traditional fundamental issues and to start recognizing other factors of value, such as those relating to corporate and social responsibility, not only to the shareholders, but also to the environment, society and ethical beliefs. This is why we are proud to be hosting this event, and to make a stand for the raising of awareness regarding the issue of sustainable financing and sustainable development in the Baltic States,” said Mr. Werner Schilli, the CEO of DnB NORD Bankas, a supporting partner of the seminar.
The gathering in Vilnius will be attended by more than 40 financiers, government and civil society representatives. Presentations will be given on corporate social responsibility, socially responsible investment, environmental risk management in financing, raising capital through environmental considerations in lending, amongst other topics.
In the past two years UNEP FI had held similar conferences in Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Russia and Greece.
For further information please contact
Regina Kessler
UNEP Finance Initiative
Tel: +41 22 917 8689
Shana Gavron
DnB NORD Bankas
tel +370 5 239 3607
Andrius Vilkancas
Press Officer
Tel: +370 5 2393 413
andrius.vilkancas@dnbnord.lt
The UNEP Finance Initiative represents more than 160 of the world’s leading financial institutions. In 2004, the UNEP FI established a Task Force for Central and Eastern Europe chaired by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Task Force aims to raise awareness of sustainable finance issues relevant in the CEE countries such as environmental credit risk management, responsible investment and corporate social responsibility.
“Financial markets worldwide are increasingly paying attention to integrate environmental, social and governance criteria in their investment and lending business. One of the examples underlining this trend is the Principles for Responsible Investment for public and private pension funds. These funds account for up to 35 percent of total global investment. The Principles were launched in April 2006 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and are now backed by more than USD4 Trillion of institutional investment funds. In international project finance, more than forty of the world’s largest project finance banks have signed the Equator Principles committing them to the highest environmental, social and governance standards for large projects over USD 50 million. These trends clearly show that sustainability and social responsibility issues have moved from a largely public relations focus to becoming mainstream in core financial activities, “ said Mr. Paul Clements-Hunt, the head of UNEP Finance Initiative at United Nations Environment Programme.
The Lithuanian supporting partner for the seminar is DnB NORD Bankas with its largest ultimate shareholder – Norway’s largest financial institution DnB NOR – being one of the UNEP FI member institutions.
“Over the past 15 years the Lithuanian finance sector has undergone vast transformation as the private sector has developed, and the country has changed into a market economy. During this transition phase, the banking system has grown, and our capital market has had improved liquidity and transparency. Now we believe that we are ready to start accounting for less traditional fundamental issues and to start recognizing other factors of value, such as those relating to corporate and social responsibility, not only to the shareholders, but also to the environment, society and ethical beliefs. This is why we are proud to be hosting this event, and to make a stand for the raising of awareness regarding the issue of sustainable financing and sustainable development in the Baltic States,” said Mr. Werner Schilli, the CEO of DnB NORD Bankas, a supporting partner of the seminar.
The gathering in Vilnius will be attended by more than 40 financiers, government and civil society representatives. Presentations will be given on corporate social responsibility, socially responsible investment, environmental risk management in financing, raising capital through environmental considerations in lending, amongst other topics.
In the past two years UNEP FI had held similar conferences in Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Russia and Greece.
For further information please contact
Regina Kessler
UNEP Finance Initiative
Tel: +41 22 917 8689
Shana Gavron
DnB NORD Bankas
tel +370 5 239 3607
Andrius Vilkancas
Press Officer
Tel: +370 5 2393 413
andrius.vilkancas@dnbnord.lt