UNEP FI membership in Asia Pacific comprises of more than 100 financial institutions, including over 70+ banks and 25+ insurers, with the region’s financial sector increasingly integrating sustainability into practice.    

We work with regional members, local partners and stakeholders to shape global practices on responsible banking and sustainable insurance, whilst enabling regional delivery of sustainability frameworks. Additionally, UNEP FI focuses on enhancing capacities within financial institutions in the region towards integrating sustainability and strengthening the agenda on sustainable finance topics in the region. Dedicated teams in China, Japan and South Korea, overseen by the Asia Pacific Regional Coordination team, facilitate these efforts.

Highlights
  • UNEP FI Global Roundtable: UNEP FI is bringing the 19th edition of the Global Roundtable to London, to host one of the UN’s largest sustainable finance-focused events during London Climate Action Week (22-26 June). The theme, ‘From Risk to Resilience: Financing the Future’, reflects the growing need across the financial industry to lead with vision, integrity, and impact for a resilient future. For more information, visit this page. 
  • UNEP FI Regional Roundtable: The Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Asia Pacific was held in Suzhou, China. Watch the event recordings here and stay tuned for more on the 2027 edition of the roundtable.
  • UNEP FI APAC Nature Reporting Preparer Forum: Region-specific sessions aimed to help banks and insurers to build the capabilities they need to assess and disclose nature-related risks and opportunities in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). The final session of this programme will be held during the Ecosperity Week in Singapore, bringing a range of stakeholders together. Members can access full session recordings and reference material in the members’ area. Contact the APAC Regional Team to learn more.

 

Key focus

The workplan for 2026 for the region highlights the following priorities:

UNEP FI supports its members across the Asia Pacific region in integrating sustainability into their operations effectively. We provide comprehensive support to help members set and implement targets in critical areas, in line with the global UNEP FI programme. Our efforts include translating global guidance materials into local languages where possible, establishing dedicated country-specific teams in some countries with a large concentration of members to offer streamlined support in native languages, organizing regional implementation support programmes, and providing one-on-one support, where possible. Through these efforts, we aim to enable our members to align with the global sustainability agenda and drive positive impact.

Our regional implementation support aims to enhance members’ capacity by addressing diverse needs of different sub-regions and countries. We develop country-specific thematic programmes focusing on different themes such as climate, nature, healthy and inclusive economy and human rights. This year, we are continuing to host in-person workshops across several countries as well as will run a series of climate webinars, and the UNEP FI APAC Nature Reporting Preparer Forum (NRPF). 

By facilitating exchange among members through different workstreams, peer to peer dialogues and group meetings, we aim to enable our members to align with the global sustainability agenda and drive positive impact. We work towards supporting intra-regional exchanges among members, and facilitating the sharing of insights and best practices.

UNEP FI recognises the importance of tailoring approaches to effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities present in various countries across the Asia Pacific region. By closely collaborating with local stakeholders, we aim to deploy context-specific approaches and facilitate dialogue among financial sector stakeholders within and across countries in the region. Towards this, UNEP FI acknowledges the critical importance of fostering collaborative partnerships and amplifying the agenda on sustainable finance, including on the different intersections of sustainable finance, within the Asia Pacific region.

 

Are you already a UNEP FI member? Find the latest regional news, key resources and more in the Members’ Area.

 

Regional Implementation Programme & Training

UNEP FI has a range of training and region-specific activities in online and in workshop formats. For further information on each of these offerings, please visit the Learning and Development for Finance Professionals section.

UNEP FI also offers a wide range of implementation support activities to members, consisting of regionally tailored workshops designed to support finance professionals implement frameworks such as the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). These activities cover climate change, nature, financial health and inclusion and human rights. Access the Asia Pacific Members‘ Area page to learn about the host of activities on offer including this year’s APAC Nature Reporting Preparer Forum and climate series. For further questions, please contact the Asia Pacific Team.

Public activities for the Asia Pacific region can be accessed here.

 

Country Pages

Within the Asia Pacific section, there are three country sub-pages:

  1. UNEP FI China
  2. UNEP FI Japan
  3. UNEP FI Korea

 

Regional Events

  • The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Asia Pacific (2025): The finance community across Asia Pacific gathered in Suzhou for the UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Asia Pacific between June 18-20. Over three days, the Roundtable featured 2 workshops, 6 keynote speakers, 25 sessions, and 85 speakers who shared insights with over 300 participants, including leading financial institutions, regulators, policymakers, and finance experts from across the region. Discussions covered a wide range of topics—including responsible banking and sustainable insurance, regulatory developments, just transition, nature-positive finance, ESG data, pollution, climate mitigation and adaptation, and much more. Speakers emphasized action-oriented approaches and shared learnings on how financial institutions can identify concrete next steps and advance implementation of sustainability initiatives. See the recordings of all the sessions here.

 

Regional Resources

Vietnam’s Climate Risks and Best Practices for TCFD Disclosure

This paper features an overview of the climate-related financial risks and opportunities in Vietnam and their impacts on different economic sectors. Developed with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the report explores current good practices for each of the eleven TCFD recommended disclosures and provides an accessible user guide to institutions looking to take the first steps on climate risk management, assessment, and disclosure. Learn more and download the paper here. 

 

Guide for Malaysian Bank Supporting SME in the Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19

This guide is designed to assist Malaysian banks in supporting SMEs on their sustainability journey as the economy recovers from the pandemic. It provides a framework for actions including key suggestions for bank-wide approach and a step-by-step guide for product development supplemented by examples of work already being undertaken by Malaysian and international banks. Learn more and download the paper here.

 

Translated Resources