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On 30 November, the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference begins in Dubai. With COP28 taking place in the United Arab Emirates, just one year after COP27 in Egypt, the concerns of developing economies will be at the forefront of the global climate agenda.

Foreign exchange trading is, like other investments, susceptible to the volatility that can plague us all in uncertain times. And the past few years have seen more uncertainty than most.

Bank of China has integrated green development throughout its operations – from management and business development to financial products and services – with the goal of helping China achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality goals.

Following the historic COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dr Dalia Abdel Kader, CIB Egypt’s Chief Sustainability Officer, discusses significant outcomes that raise the bar for COP28 in Dubai.

To stay competitive and relevant amid shifting business and operational models, large corporates must leverage digitalisation and automation to be nimbler and more responsive, says Joseph Lee, Group Head, Treasury and Working Capital Advisory & Solutioning at DBS.

Corporate treasurers are increasingly assuming the mantle of sustainability as their organisations look to adopt and implement ESG policies and practices.  They have a unique opportunity to contribute to positive social and environmental impact.  

With roots reaching back over 100 years, AMEN Bank is among Tunisia’s most successful and dynamic banks today. Néji Ghandri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Amen Bank, explains how the bank has sustained its strong position over many decades and continues to bring market-leading innovation in Tunisia’s financial sector.

Vietnam’s banking industry is evolving rapidly driven by a digital transformation that is making everyday banking simple, easy, and convenient for customers across the country. Being at the forefront of this change offers huge potential for growth, says Pranav Seth, Chief Digital Officer at Techcombank.

Africa offers a huge opportunity for positive climate change action and sustainability if done sensibly and collectively. The continent has experienced significant losses and damages attributable to climate change, including drought, biodiversity loss, lower food production, weaker economic growth, and loss of lives. These impacts will exacerbate if global warming is above target but limiting global warming to 1.5°C or below would significantly reduce damages to African economies, agriculture, health, and ecosystems. The African population is heavily exposed to climate impacted sectors with over one-half of the workforce employed in agriculture. 

African governments are developing ambitious adaptation policies aligned with society development goals, and an enabling environment for finance and investment. There has been an increase in framework and climate change laws across Africa, including in Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, Uganda and South Africa.

Banks have a vital role in supporting the global transition of the economy to net-zero emissions. Banks stress the need for institutional capacity development, along with regulatory and other policy reforms, to support and accelerate climate finance from domestic and external sources, both public and private, for climate resilience in Africa. 

A leading provider of Sharia-compliant financial solutions in Egypt, ADIB Egypt spearheaded the country’s launch of Sukuk issuance, promising to increase Islamic banking and stimulate economic growth. Mohammed Aly, CEO of ADIB Egypt, discusses the bank’s role in Egypt’s approval of sovereign Sukuk issuance and the anticipated benefits for Sukuk issuers, market liquidity & sustainable finance.

Digital banking and customisation is rapidly expanding Awash Bank’s markets for banking services among Ethiopia’s SMEs and underbanked retail customers. Henock Tessema, Chief, Retail & SME Banking Officer, Awash Bank, Ethiopia, discusses how the bank’s strategy to foster entrepreneurship, close the SME financing gap, and bank the unbanked is supporting Ethiopia’s economic growth.

Since the financial crash of 2008, the changing economic environment has presented companies in all sectors with problems to overcome. Brexit, the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine have exacerbated these problems. In such times, liquidity is vital. Orbian’s Supply Chain Finance solutions go far beyond those available elsewhere in the market and address the most pressing needs of corporations around the world.

COP 27 comes at a critical time. The world is facing immediate and significant challenges. Not only has the last seven years been the warmest on record, but the Russian-Ukraine War has created serious cereal and foodstuff shortages for numerous countries, including many in Africa, and the sharp rise in energy prices have impacted costs, people’s incomes, and growth. Geopolitical risk has focused more attention on climate change.

Palestine’s sustainable banking leader for 62 years, Bank of Palestine (BoP) represents the future of banking with high-impact sustainable finance initiatives, gender & financial inclusion, and digital innovation. Mahmoud Shawa, BoP’s CEO, discusses the bank’s strategic commitment to sustainability and its role supporting Palestine’s economic growth and climate change goals.

Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire (BBG CI) has emerged as a major player in the nation’s banking industry and a supportive financial partner to the region’s economically important SME sector. Ehouman Kassi, BBG CI’s CEO, discusses the bank’s new portfolio guarantee agreement with the African Guarantee Fund and expansion of its successful SME strategy.

Bahrain’s first local bank with expanding retail and corporate markets at home and in the GCC, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) places ESG best practices at the core of its operations and strategy. Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO of NBB, discusses the bank’s sustainability leadership and how its commitment to responsible banking strengthens its market position and alignment with Bahrain’s future economic goals.

As institutions and corporates stock up on digital assets, they must also ensure these are well safeguarded, says Ee Fong Soh, Group Head of Securities & Fiduciary Services at DBS.  

Rwanda’s underbanked retail and commercial markets represent significant growth opportunities for Bank of Kigali (BK), Rwanda’s leading commercial bank. Dr. Diane Karusisi, BK’s CEO, discusses the bank’s growth, digital innovation and market expansion strategy.