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.

Regional Highlights
  • The Net-Zero Banking Alliance recently interviewed Luanne Sieh, Chief Sustainability Officer at CIMB Group to learn about her work at the bank. Read the full interview here.
  • UNEP FI’s Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Asia Pacific takes place in Suzhou, China, on June 18-20, 2025. Play a key role in advancing sustainable finance across the region, accelerating the transition to a net-zero and inclusive economy. Find out more and register here.

 

Key focus

The workplan for 2025 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 programme. Our initiatives include translating global guidance materials into local languages at times, establishing dedicated country-specific teams in some countries with more members to offer streamlined support in native languages, organising regional capacity building 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.

The Capacity Building Programme 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. Additionally, the Country Specific Project Capacity Building Programme provides targeted support for specific initiatives to ensure effective implementation and maximizing impact, ultimately supporting members in achieving their sustainability objectives.

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) and Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). These activities cover climate adaptation, nature, financial health and inclusion and most recently, climate mitigation in collaboration with GFANZ. Access the full calendar and check for updates in the Members‘ Area. Please contact Gabor Gyura for any questions on the regional implementation programme and Carlota Gomez Tapia for climate mitigation activities.

Non-members can also view the different activities they have access to in their regions 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

  • Joint Technical Workshop between UNEP FI and Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB): The joint technical workshop between UNEP FI and the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) aimed to enhance capacity building to advance climate-responsive and nature-positive sustainable banking in Malaysia. Through a holistic and synergetic approach, the workshop addressed the interlinkage among climate mitigation, adaption, nature, biodiversity, etc. Access the event materials here.
  • The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Asia Pacific: The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Asia Pacific was held on 24-25 May in Seoul, South Korea. The event convened 375+ UNEP FI members, policymakers, civil society organisations, and academia to discuss the advancement of sustainable finance, its challenges, and solutions in Asia Pacific. Access the event materials 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