UNEP FI is hosting its 18th Global Roundtable on 10-11 December in Geneva, Switzerland and online. The flagship event will focus on accelerating practical approaches to setting and implementing targets in areas including net zero, nature, impact, pollution, human rights, and financial inclusion to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP FI’s biennial Global Roundtable (GRT) is a key event for driving action within the finance industry, offering thousands of professionals the chance to collaborate with peers and gain insights from global leaders. The GRT convenes a diverse group of stakeholders, including banks, insurers, investors, regulators, policymakers, and civil society, to collectively shape the sustainable finance agenda and catalyse action across the financial system to deliver more sustainable global economies for years to come.

  

UNEP FI and Building Bridges join forces                  

This year, the Global Roundtable will be held under the same roof as Building Bridges (9-12 December), a powerful movement that brings 2500+ attendees from 100+ countries from the finance and corporate sectors, governments, civil society, academia, and sustainable development communities to Geneva annually, to shape the global sustainable finance agenda and build a bridge towards a global economic model that meets the needs of a sustainable and just society. Find out more about Building Bridges 2024 here.

Those who are registered to attend the Global Roundtable from 10-11 December will also have access to the Building Bridges 2024 Action Days from 10-12 December.

 

Registrations

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register?

Please register here 


What are the costs for event passes?
  • UNEP FI Members: UNEP FI members receive 2 complimentary passes per organisation. You can find the link to register in the members’ area, or contact us on roundtable@unepfi.org
  • General Public: Prices vary between 150 and 300CHF.
  • Online Attendance: Free of charge. 

I’ve registered for the UNEP FI Global Roundtable; do I also get access to Building Bridges?

Yes, registration grants access to the UNEP FI Global Roundtable and the Building Bridges Action Days (10-12 December), whether attending in person or virtually.  


I’ve registered to attend in-person. Do I have to pay for anything else?

Participants traveling to Geneva are responsible for their own travel arrangements and related costs, including transportation, visa (if applicable), food, and accommodation.  


Can I join online?

Yes, sessions at the Global Roundtable will be streamed live on the UNEP FI website. Register to attend online here for free, and a link to watch the event will be sent to you closer to the event. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #GRT2024. 


Does UNEP FI provide certificates of participation?

No, UNEP FI does not issue certificates of participation.


Will there be Wi-Fi at the venue?

Yes, free Wi-Fi will be provided at the venue.

Where is the in-person event located?

The UNEP FI Global Roundtable (GRT) will be held at the CICG – The International Conference Center Geneva (Rue de Varembé 17, 1211 Genève, Switzerland). 


Is there a recommended hotel I should stay at?

While it is entirely up to each participant to choose their accommodation, our partner Building Bridges has provided a list of recommended hotels on their website. Please note that UNEP FI does not have any special agreements with these hotels. 


How do I get to the venue?

Please find detailed directions on the Building Bridges website. 

How do I travel to Geneva?

You can travel to Geneva by plane, with Geneva Airport (GVA) being the main international gateway, or by train, car, or bus from other European cities. UNEP FI is not responsible for covering any travel costs.


What is the best way to travel around Geneva?

The best way to travel around Geneva is by using its efficient public transportation system, including trams, buses, and trains. Walking and cycling are also popular options. 


How do I get to the CICG venue?

The CICG (Centre International de Conférences Genève) can be easily reached by taking a tram or bus from various parts of the city, or by taxi, although we recommend using the most sustainable choice i.e. public transport. 


Do I need a visa to visit Geneva?

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Schengen Area visa rules apply, so check if your country requires a visa for Switzerland. Participants traveling to Geneva are responsible for their own travel arrangements and related costs, including visa (if applicable).  

UNEP FI is unable to provide letters to assist with visa applications. 

 

Contact us for any questions or comments, or if you are interested in sponsoring the Global Roundtable, at: roundtable@unepfi.org

 

 

We invite you to explore the Global Roundtable 2024 agenda below. In parallel, the Building Bridges Action Days will take place from 10–12 December at the same venue. As a participant of the GRT, you will also have full access to the Building Bridges Action Days, featuring 65+ crowd-sourced sessions, offering a wide array of interactive formats such as panel discussions, workshops, fishbowl conversations, trainings, and case studies. To explore the Building Bridges Action Days program, click here.

 

 Time (CET) Joint sessions: Global Roundtable X Building Bridges
09:00

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Opening remarks
Room A

  • Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
  • Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Lombard Odier Group and Chair, Building Bridges
09:10

REMARKS

  • Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD)
09:15

FIRESIDE CHAT

Accelerating systems change through finance
Room A

  • Rémy Rioux, CEO, French Development Agency (AFD)
  • Moderator: Nik Gowing, Founder and Co-Director, Thinking the Unthinkable
09:30

FIRESIDE CHAT

Wisdom from the Elders: The Right to a Resilient Future
Room A

  • Elisabeth Stern, Board Member, KlimaSeniorinnen
  • Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders & former President of Ireland, & former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Moderator: Nik Gowing, Founder and Co-Director, Thinking the Unthinkable
09:50

PLENARY PANEL

How finance drives the sustainability agenda forward
Room A

  • Anja Hannerz, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nordea
  • Antonio Carrillo Doblado, Vice-President of Sustainability, Holcim
  • Claudine Blamey, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aviva
  • Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank
  • Thomas Brauchle, Head of Sustainability, Siemens Financial Services
  • Moderator: Raj Kumar, President & Editor-in-Chief, Devex
   
 Time (CET) Opening of the UNEP FI Global Roundtable
Room D
 10:50

OPENING SESSION

Opening dialogue with Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
Room D

  • Facilitated by Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
 11:05

MESSAGE

Message from Christiana Figueres, Founder, Global Optimism
Room D

 11:10

PLENARY PANEL

Driving change through responsible banking and sustainable insurance
Room D

  • Jean-François Chalifoux, President and CEO, Beneva
  • Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Lombard Odier Group and Chair, Building Bridges
  • Patty Karuaihe-Martin, Managing Director, NamibRe
  • Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division, Access Bank
  • Moderator: Liesel van Ast, Deputy Head, UNEP FI
 12:00

HIGH-LEVEL PANEL

Accelerating the real economy transition
Room D

  • Elisabeth Skorna, Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President Finance, DACH,  Schneider Electric
  • Hacina Py, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Societe Generale
  • Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard, Director of the Sustainable Enterprises, Productivity and Just Transition Department, International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • Moderator: Maria Sosa Taborda, Membership and Regional Co-ordination Manager, UNEP FI
12:40

 MESSAGE

Message from H.E. Razan al Mubarak, President, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion
Room D

 12:45

FIRESIDE CHAT

Bringing nature to the heart of finance
Room D

  • Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International 
  • Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
 13:05 Lunch
 Start of Deep Dive sessions
 14:00

DEEP DIVE SESSION 1

Embedding biodiversity concerns across portfolios
Room D

  • Antoni Ballabriga, Global Head of Sustainability Intelligence & Advocacy, BBVA 
  • Christine Lee, Director, Climate and Nature Risk Product Development and Management, S&P Global Sustainable1
  • Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International 
  • Lauren Ferstandig, Managing Director, Nature Vest, The Nature Conservancy 
  • Makoto Haraguchi, SVP of Sustainability Section, MS&AD Insurance Group
  • Moderator: Jessica Smith, Lead, Nature, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 2

Mobilising finance for energy efficiency
Room C

  • Dirk Bartsch, Head of ESG, Berlin Hyp
  • Grace Tam, Head of Consumer Finance, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
  • Luca Bertalot, Secretary General, European Mortgage Federation – European Covered Bond Council (EMF-ECBC)
  • Nathalie Larrousé, Associate Director, Green Financial Systems, Head of Green Capital Markets, EBRD
  • Moderator: Ana Bachurova, Energy Efficiency Lead, UNEP FI
 15:00

DEEP DIVE SESSION 3

Next steps to implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework
Room D

  • Deborah Halberstadt, Special Advisor to the Commissioner on Biodiversity and Inclusive Insurance, California Department of Insurance
  • Lisa Eichler, Head of Physical Risk & Natural Solutions, MSCI
  • Paul Harris, Sustainable Product Innovation Lead, Bank of Ireland
  • Saori Takahashi, Manager, Sustainability Management, Corporate Strategy Group, The Norinchukin Bank 
  • Susanne Pedersen, Director, Science and Knowledge Centre, IUCN
  • Moderator: Romie Goedicke, Co-Lead Nature, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 4

Mobilising sustainable finance in emerging markets
Room C

  • Alejandra Díaz, Chief Sustainability Officer, Banco Davivienda and Seguros Bolívar 
  • Johannes Hermanus De Wit, Vice President, Executive Board Member, Head of Retail, Bank of Beijing
  • Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division, Access Bank
  • Simon Bessant, Global Head of Insurance and Director, The Texel Group
  • Moderator: Nirnita Talukdar, Asia Pacific Lead, UNEP FI
 16:00

DEEP DIVE SESSION 5

Driving interoperability between sustainable finance taxonomies
Room D

  • Caroline Wellemans, Head of Unit, Sustainable Finance Policy – DG INTPA, European Commission
  • Clémence Humeau, Head of Sustainability Coordination and Governance, AXA Investment Managers
  • Madelena Mohamed, Sustainability Director, Bank Negara Malaysia
  • Makaio Witte, Head of Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Economic Transformation and Sustainable Finance Global Project, GIZ
  • Tomás Soley Pérez, General Superintendent, General Superintendence of Insurance of Costa Rica (SUGESE)
  • Moderator: Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative

DEEP DIVE SESSION 6

Just transition: Incorporating human rights into climate finance
Room C

  • Carlos José Santos Lardé, Sustainability Manager, Banco Bolivariano
  • Dorothée Baumann-Pauly, Director, Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights
  • Jenny Wik Karlsson, CEO & Senior Legal Adviser, Swedish Sami Association and Chairperson, FSC Sweden
  • Masaaki Nagamura, Fellow International Initiatives, Tokio Marine
  • Nick Robins, Executive Director, Just Transition Finance Lab, LSE   
  • Moderator: Joana Pedro, Social Lead, UNEP FI
 17:00

DEEP DIVE SESSION 7

Mainstreaming impact management
Room D

  • Mark Gough, CEO, Capitals Coalition
  • Noelia Garcia, Head of Sustainability, ISO 
  • Olivier Wibo, Sustainable Finance Solutions Product Manager, Bloomberg
  • Susan Stawicki, Head of Reporting, UN Global Compact 
  • Vincent Siegerink, Economist, OECD WISE Centre
  • Moderator: Careen Abb, SDGs and Impact Lead, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 8

Tackling plastics and promoting circularity to achieve sustainability goals
Room C

  • Clemence Schmid, Director, Global Plastics Action Partnership, World Economic Forum
  • Filipe Camaño Garcia, Manager, Global Circularity Protocol,  WBCSD
  • Franco Piza, Head of Sustainability, Grupo Bancolombia
  • Lauren Clarke-Wiest, Head of Data and Analytics, Aon 
  • Massimiano Tellini, Head – Circular Economy, Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center
  • Moderator: Jan Raes, Finance and Plastics Lead, UNEP FI
 18:00 End of Day 1

 

Time (CET) Day 2
 09:55

Opening keynote
Room D

  • Professor Paul Ekins, Professor of Resources and Environmental Policy, UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources
 10:10

PLENARY PANEL

Supporting global sustainability ambition through policy and regulation
Room D

  • Geetu Joshi, Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance of the Government of India
  • Helena Viñes Fiestas, Co-Chair, Taskforce on Net Zero Policy and Chair, EU Platform on Sustainable Finance
  • Irene Heemskerk, Head of the Climate Change Centre, European Central Bank
  • Krishnan Sharma, Principal Economic Affairs Adviser, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations (UN DESA)
  • Philippe Lionnet, Envoy for Sustainable Finance and Co-Head of the Policy Issues & International Relations unit, State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF), Swiss Federal Department of Finance
  • Moderator: Laura Canas da Costa, Global Policy Co-Lead, UNEP FI
 10:55

FIRESIDE CHAT

Aligning professional practice with sustainability goals
Room D

  • Puleng Ndjwili-Potele, Co-Lead, Banking, UNEP FI
  • Simon Thompson, Managing Director, Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC)
  • Moderator: Mustafa Chaudhry, Co-Lead, Communications, UNEP FI
 11:10

PLENARY PANEL

Driving 1.5 ambition through finance
Room D

  • Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec Group
  • Maria Simonson, Acting Head of Client Relationship Management, Head of Sustainability, Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK)
  • Masaaki Iwabuchi, General Manager, Finance & Investment Planning Department, Nippon Life Insurance Company
  • Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor to Christiana Figueres, Global Optimism
  • Moderator: Remco Fischer, Climate Lead, UNEP FI
 11:55

FIRESIDE CHAT

Risk and impact: Both sides of the same coin
Room D

  • Christos Megalou, CEO, Piraeus Bank 
  • Sander Biesma, CEO, NN Re
  • Moderator: Careen Abb, SDGs and Impact Lead, UNEP FI
12:15

CASE STUDY

Analysing performance of signatories to Principles for Responsible Banking
Room D

  • Warrick Fuchsloch, Senior Client Engagement Specialist, S&P Global Sustainable1
 12:25 Lunch
   Start of Deep Dive sessions
 13:20

DEEP DIVE SESSION 9

Scaling finance for adaptation
Room D

  • Denisse Gonzalez, Climate Change Specialist, Produbanco 
  • Tomás Soley Pérez, General Superintendent, General Superintendence of Insurance of Costa Rica (SUGESE) 
  • Vanessa Doger de Spéville, Head, Sustainability, Reputation & Engagement, Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB)
  • Moderator: Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director and Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment 

DEEP DIVE SESSION 10

Overcoming data challenges in sustainable finance
Room C

  • Angélica Afanador, Director, Guidehouse and Executive Director, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)
  • Hans Biemans, Head of Sustainable Markets, ING 
  • Stefan Malchow, Head of Sales, ESG Solutions, SAP Fioneer
  • Xavier Demeulenaere, Research and Analysis Associate Director, S&P Global Mobility
  • Moderator: Daniel Bouzas, Europe Regional Lead, UNEP FI
 14:10

DEEP DIVE SESSION 11

Transition finance: Opportunities and challenges
Room D

  • Joseph Jacobelli, Advisory Group Expert, ESCAP (FET Project), and Managing Partner, Bougie Impact Capital
  • Linda Freiner, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zurich Insurance Group 
  • Tomo Ishikawa, Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer, MUFG 
  • Udo Riese, Global Head of Sustainable Investing, Allianz Investment Management 
  • Vincent Damas, Chief Sustainability Officer, Covéa Group
  • Moderator: Jesica Lelynn Andrews, Head of Climate Accountability, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 12

Public and private cooperation for sustainable development
Room C

  • Massamba Thioye, Project Executive, UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub, UNFCCC secretariat
  • Nicolas Picchiottino, Head of Public Development Banks, AFD & Secretary General, IDFC
  • Quyen Nguyen, Senior Climate Finance Specialist, Global Product Lead, IFC
  • Shanning Dong, General Manager, Green Finance Department, Bank of Jiangsu
  • Moderator: Glenn Hodes, Senior adviser on SDG investment, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
 15:05

DEEP DIVE SESSION 13

Closing the gender gap: the role of banks (co-hosted with UN Women)
Room D

Opening remarks:

  • Sofia Calltorp, Director, UN Women Geneva Office and Chief of Humanitarian Action

Panellists:

  • Dawn Bailey, Head of Financial Wellbeing, Bank of Ireland
  • Verónica Gavilanes Véjar, Deputy General Manager, BancoSol
  • Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WE-FI), the World Bank
  • Co- Moderator: Alexandra Lockyer, Senior Sustainable Finance Analyst, UN Women 
  • Co- Moderator: Laura Diaz, Social Impact Lead for Banks at UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 14 – Insurance

Unlocking the potential of insurance for nature positive Room C

  • Amandine Favier, Head of Sustainable Finance, WWF Switzerland
  • Caroline Wakesho Sonje, ESG Specialist, ICEA Lion
  • Emily McKenzie, Technical Director, TNFD
  • Thomas Viegas, Nature Strategy Lead, Aviva
  • Moderator: Butch Bacani, Head of Insurance, UNEP FI
 16:05

DEEP DIVE SESSION 15 – PRB

Effective client engagement: Strategies for banks to foster sustainable finance
Room D

  • Christine Würfel, Head of Group ESG & Sustainability Management, Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI)
  • Lara de Mesa, Global Head of Responsible Banking, Santander
  • Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank 
  • Susan Barron, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of the Sustainable Banking Group, Barclays
  • Moderator: Johanna Dichtl, Implementation Guidance Lead, Banking, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 16 – Insurance

Scaling up climate action in the insurance industry
Room C

  • Cirhan Truswell, Director, Climate Science, Sun Life
  • Esther Egeter, Sustainability Manager, a.s.r.
  • João Mestre, Sustainability Director, Fidelidade 
  • Moderator: Butch Bacani, Head of Insurance, UNEP FI
 17:05


DEEP DIVE SESSION 17 – PRB

Engaging clients on social issues: Strategies
for banks to drive positive impact 
Room D

  • Abimbola Agbejule, Head, Corporate Sustainability, Wema Bank
  • Amanda Zillig, Human Rights Lead, ING
  • Anna Falth, Global Head of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), UN Women
  • Jonathan Fowlie, Chief External Relations Officer and Head of Impact Strategy, Vancity
  • Yasmine Pagni, Head of Social Policy Unit, Environment, Climate and Social Office (ECSO), Projects Directorate (PJ), European Investment Bank (EIB)
  • Moderator: Joana Pedro, Social Lead, UNEP FI

 

 

 

 

 

DEEP DIVE SESSION 18 – insurance

17:05 – 17:45CET
V20: Insuring the most vulnerable
Room C

  • Philip Lopokoiyit, CEO, ICEA LION Holdings and ICEA LION General Insurance
  • Brandon Mathews, Global Coordinator, V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility
  • Moderator: Butch Bacani, Head of Insurance, UNEP FI

DEEP DIVE SESSION 19 – insurance

17:45 – 18:15 CET
Scaling Sustainable Insurance for Africa’s Green Growth and Resilience
Room C

Welcome and Introduction to the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance and the purpose of the session:

  • Kelvin Massingham – Director, Risk and Resilience, FSD Africa

Panel:

  • Emeka Akwiwu, Excecutive Director, Continental Reinsurance
  • Patty K Martin, CEO Namibre, and NDSI Vice Chair
  • Phillip Lopokoiyit, Group CEO, ICEA Lion, and NDSI Chair
  • Moderator: Ange Chitate, Africa Risk Capacity Ltd , Chief Operating Officer
 18:15

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

GRT Closing: Frontiers Planet Prize 
Location: The Village

Sponsored by Frontiers Research Foundation

19:45

End of UNEP FI Global Roundtable 2024

 

 

 

10 December
  Road to FFD4: Scaling up private finance and investment for the SDGs
Location: CICG, Room 14 (Geneva)
11:45 – 13:00

 

The objective of this consultation session will be to:

  1. Engage delegates from the UNEP-FI Global Roundtable and Building Bridges Summit, as well as other stakeholders in the Geneva community, in an interactive dialogue to get feedback on key recommendations and initiatives that can catalyze private finance and investment for the SDGs.
  2. Discuss the role of the private sector in the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), International Business Forum and the SDG Fair;

Specifically, the UN-led session will explore the following topics: (a) barriers to scaling up private finance and investment for sustainable development; (b) possible policy and regulatory reforms to encourage the provision of long-term finance and investment in sustainable development; (c) ways to enhance the effectiveness of blended finance approaches to scale up SDG-aligned investment in emerging markets; significant recommendations and initiatives that could come out of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

  • Karen Hitschke CEO of Building Bridges
  • Layalee Ramahi, North America Regional Lead, UNEP-FI
  • Glenn Hodes, Interregional Adviser, FSDO/DESA
  • Franco Piza, Head of Sustainability, Bancolombia (tbc)
  • Margarita Pirovska, Director of Policy, PRI
  • Maria Caterina Migliorero, Economic Affairs Officer, FSDO/DESA

The session is hosted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, alongside UNEP FI’s Global Roundtable.

 

11 December
 

Nature Transition Planning Roundtable                                                                                                                  Location: Room Lausanne, Centre de Conference de Varembe (CCV) (across the GRT and Building Bridges Venue)         

This session has limited capacity, and attendance will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your seat, see contact below.

 9:00 – 10:30

 

Nature transition planning is an emergent concept that offers a coherent, structured way to manage an organisation’s responses and contributions to transition set out by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

During this rountable we will request participants to reflect on the concepts presented by WWF, TNFD and UNEP FI. The insights gathered will be instrumental in refining these approaches, and identifying actionable steps on nature transition planning, that can be implemented across the financial sector.

Objectives:

  • Share how nature transition plans can be developed by financial Institutions
  • Understand how a financial institution can assess a transition plan of clients
  • Gather feedback on the proposed categories of transition financing strategies that can be deployed in a financial institutions’ response and contribution to the transition implied by the GBF

    The session is hosted by UNEP FI, WWF, and The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and held alongside UNEP FI’s Global Roundtable.

    This session has limited capacity, and attendance will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your seat, please contact: npoolen@wwfint.org  

     

     

     

     

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    Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring the Global Roundtable, at: roundtable@unepfi.org