FMDV - Global Fund For Cities Development ’s Post

Southeast Asia's emerging megacities must prioritize people

📍 Location: Hong Kong 📅 Date & Time: 2024 March 26, 10:00am-11:30am (HK time) 🎥 Participation: https://lnkd.in/dhBxY7Uw With over half of the world’s population now residing in urban areas - a figure projected to surge to 68% by 2050 - cities stand as major contributors to carbon emissions, accounting for a staggering 70% of global emissions. Urban carbon emissions and the resilience of city environments deeply influence human well-being. 🏙️🌱 In recent years, Asia emerges as a pivotal player, boasting the largest concentration of “environmentally vulnerable” cities. Building on its robust infrastructure development and urban expansion, Asia has great potential to drive global climate and environmental initiatives forward. 🌏💪 Yet, despite these urgent needs and opportunities, there exists a significant annual gap of $3-5 trillion in green investments for global climate and environmental projects. This gap is especially pronounced in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), which grapple with acute financial challenges. 💸🌿 Amidst these challenges, the need for capacity building stands out as a critical factor hindering progress. remains steadfast in its dedication. In line with the commitment to providing top-tier sustainable finance capacity-building services for developing countries, Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) will organise a second monthly event on “Accelerating Capacity-Building for Financing Net Zero, Nature Positive Cities”, in collaboration with the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) initiative, launched by the World Economic Forum. 🌟📈 During the event, we will explore the challenges and opportunities linked to expanding green financing, with a particular focus on establishing strong policy frameworks, promoting green financial products, implementing incentive mechanisms, and fostering the development of urban green investment projects. 💰🌳 Furthermore, the discussions will highlight the significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in positioning Asia as a leader in climate finance. Participants can anticipate having first-hand information on environment projects successfully attracted investment and built in emerging economies, as well as best practices in capacity building for finance professionals. 🤝📚 The event is scheduled from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on March 26, 2024, in Hong Kong. Should you be interested, we warmly welcome you to join us online via the link above. We eagerly anticipate your participation! 🌟🙌 #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateChange #GreenFinance #UrbanSustainability #CapacityBuilding #EnvironmentalFinance #NetZeroCities #GreenInvestment #SustainableCities #AsiaUrbanDevelopment #HongKongEvents #SustainableInfrastructure #FinancialInclusion #EconomicDevelopment

In Part II of articulating how we can build Malaysia’s long term economic strength, I focus on green projects and climate agenda, improve our social well-being and strengthen governance to nurture sustainable economic development. Investments in green infrastructures, decarbonisation innovations or development of new ecosystems are well and good, but we must seek ways to ensure our domestic players (ie. SMEs) are transforming together. Right incentives and practical assistance are indispensable. Tying with the issue of low wages, the key to increasing individual well-­being is to lessen the feelings of economic precariousness and increase predictability in people’s lives. Social security system continues to play a part, but other public goods such as robust housing provision is vital. Housing should be affordable, sustainable and enhance quality of life for everyone - the nation’s obsession with house ownership is not helping and creates undue pressure on the financial burden of many. A financially sustainable rental model or the introduction of build-to-rent options through public-private partnerships led by the government can be alternative avenues for many to have a shelter. Lastly, we need to double down on improving the efficiency of our public service delivery, from how cross-ministry programmes are coordinated to how public resources are being funded, monitored and spent. Tracking these deliverables and outputs ensures accountability from all parties involved in public spending and will serve to reduce wastage and leakage. With opportunities knocking at the door, the question now becomes whether Malaysia will move fast enough to seize them. #EkonomiMadani #MadaniMalaysia

I'm delighted to see some familiar names announced in Round 1 of the Australia-Singapore "Go-Green Co-Innovation Program". This is a key initiative under the world-leading Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement, which was signed back in 2022. It's designed to provide financial support to help drive co-innovation between #singaporean and #australian small and medium #enterprises that are developing #greeneconomy products and services. The program is advancing the #decarbonisation of economic activities between our countries and fuelling our transition to #netzero emissions. The grants support projects in priority green economy sectors, including: #renewableenergy and #cleanenergy; #sustainable #agribusiness and #food; #builtenvironment and #infrastructure; #wastemanagement and #circulareconomy; and #environmental #monitoringandevaluation. Australian Government and Gov.sg have set aside $20 million to support relevant and eligible projects over coming years. * Importantly, second grant round is expected, with a call for application likely to be announced in mid-2024. You can register your interest in the program at: ggcip@dfat.gov.au Congratulations - JetZero givvable.com Roobuck FootprintLab Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Enterprise Singapore.

The Hong Kong edition of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) event themed "Empowering Sustainability and Prosperity in Asia", kickstarted earlier this week at the University of Hong Kong, with the HKMA Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office as one of the co-hosts. The event aims to spotlight innovative solutions and enhance the capacity for connectivity and low-carbon transitions in the Asia-Pacific region. Over 300 participants from across the region joined in-person or online. In his keynote address, Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, emphasised the need for innovative sustainable finance to balance decarbonisation and development, and the public sector's role in supporting industry growth. "The enthusiastic attendance today shows the rising awareness and growing interest in sustainable finance across the region. We sorely need such awareness and interest. Countries in Asia need innovative sustainable finance solutions more than ever in order to balance the need to decarbonise and the right to develop. The public sector has an indispensable role to play on this front - to create a conducive environment for industry players to experiment, grow, and thrive," said Arthur Yuen. The event featured multiple sessions covering sustainable finance policies, challenges in disclosure, and financing green transitions in Asia, with discussions highlighting blended finance's role in decarbonisation, as well as initiatives in biodiversity conservation, and blue finance. #GreenFinance #HKMA #SustainableDevelopment #CapacityBuilding #Sustainability Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) Sprinkles Charity Foundation The University of Hong Kong

Not to toot my own horn but toot! This post that I did for an ACGF - ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility event is probably one of the best ways to use a big event group photo for social. 1. Unlike sharing a big group photo as a post, with LinkedIn automatically reducing the resolution, on a slide show you can actually see people's faces (if the original resolution is high enough). 2. You can promote the event with some small factoids and organizer logos. 3. People like engaging with slide shows, especially swiping on a photo to find themselves or their colleagues, which the algorithm rewards you for. (How-to in the comments.)

Cities around the world are rethinking their futures as globalization and urbanization continue to shape our world. From Johannaesburg to Amsterdam, cities are finding innovative solutions to address challenges such as climate change, economic hardship, and sustainable living. In the "Cities of the Future" report commissioned by Gallagher Specialty, BMI Country Risk & Industry Analysis Custom Advisory explores the role of digital solutions and creative thinking in making cities smarter and greener. The report also highlights how cities such as Sydney, Amsterdam, Jakarta, and Cairo are dealing with challenges like #infrastructure demands, environmental impacts, and social cohesion. Don't miss out on the next report in the series, which will focus on the role of clean technologies in decarbonizing cities and increasing energy security. Request your copy today! https://lnkd.in/dgd89ewN

Exploring Diverse Investment Opportunities in Cape Verde’s Emerging Market 🚀🇨🇻 Today, we're shifting focus to the vibrant archipelago of Cape Verde, a nation demonstrating remarkable resilience and growth potential. Beyond its stunning landscapes and thriving tourism sector, Cape Verde is emerging as a hotbed for diverse investment opportunities, signaling a promising frontier for global investors. Why Cape Verde? - Strategic Location: Situated off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde's strategic position makes it a gateway for transatlantic and European trade, offering untapped potential in logistics and maritime services. - Growing Economy: With steady GDP growth, Cape Verde is on the path to becoming one of Africa's success stories, driven by careful economic planning and foreign investment. - Tourism Boom: The island's natural beauty and cultural richness continue to attract tourists, presenting ample opportunities in hospitality, eco-tourism, and entertainment sectors. - Innovation & Tech: The government’s commitment to digital transformation and support for startups is creating a fertile ground for tech investments and innovation. - Supportive Investment Climate: Cape Verde offers various incentives for foreign investors, including tax benefits and streamlined processes, aiming to foster a robust investment environment. As Cape Verde diversifies its economy, sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and infrastructure are ripe for exploration. This diversification not only enhances the island's appeal but also opens up new avenues for sustainable and profitable investments. Join the conversation: What sectors in Cape Verde do you see as having the most potential for growth and investment? Share your insights or explore how we at Belalgarve can guide your investment journey in Cape Verde and beyond. https://lnkd.in/dexwzNdD #CapeVerde #EmergingMarkets #InvestmentOpportunity #GlobalInvestment #belalgarveGlobal #CaboVerde

🤝 🌍 The City Climate Finance Gap Fund and the C40 Cities Finance Facility are pleased to announce their strategic #partnership, allowing Gap Fund partner cities to access CFF’s proven #CapacityDevelopment tools and approaches to support project preparation and #AccessToFinance. Today we kick-off with our first joint workshop – the City Academy on Finance and Equity (CAFE) in Casablanca, Morocco. Over the next 4 days, city officials will learn useful concepts, concrete approaches and #tools to plan #sustainable and #equitable #infrastructure projects and transform cities’ innovative ideas into bold climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create resilient and liveable cities. The thematic workshop on #WasteManagement and #EnergyEfficiency welcomes more than 30 delegates from 9 cities, including Casablanca and Zenata (Morocco), Elbasan (Albania), La Marsa (Tunisia), Makindye (Uganda), Mansa (Zambia), Nikśič (Montenegro), Nyamira (Kenya) and Ojodu (Nigeria).   During the welcoming remarks, Ingrid Simon, CFF’s Programme Co-Director (C40) stressed the importance of moving forward together to achieve greater results.   The Gap Fund-CFF partnership also explores #matchmaking opportunities and provides the CFF with a potential pipeline of projects for late-stage support.   About the CFF: The C40 Cities Finance Facility is a project preparation facility that serves as a link between cities and finance to support a green and just transition. The CFF supports cities to develop sustainable and equitable projects that address climate change.   European Investment Bank (EIB) The World Bank Group C40 Cities Finance Facility GIZ Morocco GIZ Zambia   #UnitedinAction #ClimateAction #Cities4Climate

Highlights from the first EU-Singapore Dialogue on Facilitating Sustainable Investments in Southeast Asia via the #GlobalGateway 🏗️🌿 🔗 Find the full event recording and main takeaways here: https://lnkd.in/gPF7qkiC The event was held on Thursday, 25 January 2024, and co-organised with the European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (EuroCham Singapore). It brought stakeholders together to discuss ways to facilitate green and sustainable investments in Southeast Asia. The Global Gateway offer is well placed to address funding gaps and accelerate the development of project pipelines in Southeast Asia. Private funds, multilateral financial institutions and government agencies present at the event expressed marked interest in Global Gateway. Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, and presents significant investment opportunities for years to come, particularly in sustainable infrastructure, energy systems and digital connectivity. With an average economic growth of 4.5-5.5% in Southeast Asia, private sector investment to the region has been robust, representing 80% of global foreign direct investment (FDI) allocated in 2022. The digital economy, currently valued at $1 trillion, is expected to double to $2 trillion by 2030. The Global Gateway emerges as a strategic initiative to assist in the mobilisation of capital for sustainable investments in Southeast Asia, with €10 billion budgeted investments to be realised by 2027. Overall, the dialogue served as a platform for constructive discussions and exchange of experiences related to green transition projects. The Global Gateway emerges as a catalyst for sustainable investment in Southeast Asia, leveraging innovative blended finance approaches to de-risk projects, mobilise private capital, and accelerate the development of green energy, infrastructure and connectivity projects, among others. Singapore, as a global financial hub guided by forward-looking institutions, is well suited to provide an enabling environment for financing projects grounded on the same sustainability agenda and European values at the heart of Global Gateway. Heartfelt thanks to: - keynote speakers Dr Kay Parplies (European Commission) and Ms Sunita LUKKHOO (European Investment Bank (EIB); - moderators Prof Lay Hwee Yeo (SIIA) and Mr Federico Donato (EuroCham); - panellists, Dr Terry van Gevelt (Singapore Management University), Ms Shi Min Tan (Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)), Ms Victoria Delmon (IFC - International Finance Corporation), Mr Abhishek Badkul (Standard Chartered Bank), Mr Marat Zapparov (Pentagreen Capital) and Mr Maurits Fliehe Boeschoten - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank) #TeamEurope Justyna Lasik Benoit Sauveroche Jean Pierre De Meerleer Sánchez Giulia Pepita De Bernardi Deepika Shetty