Microfinance stakeholders and regulators come together for Sustainability Summit

Microfinance stakeholders and regulators come together for Sustainability Summit

Board members, heads, and senior management of microfinance institutions and representatives of regulatory bodies gathered at the Century Park Hotel, Manila on May 2-3, 2023 for the Reboot Microfinance Sustainability Summit. The Summit, organized by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) in partnership with the European Organisation for Sustainable Development (EOSD), tackled the Sustainability Standards, a set of standards that financial institutions can use to show their commitment to becoming drivers of social and economic sustainability, and green and resource-efficient economies.

MCPI Chairperson Gilbert Maramba welcomed about 100 participants to the Summit, and Commissioner Mcjill Bryant Fernandez of the Securities and Exchange Commission opened the 2-day event. Mr. Arshad Rab, Chairman of the International Council of Sustainability Standards and Chief Executive Officer of EOSD, discussed the framework of Sustainability Standards version 2.0. The Summit was also a venue of experience sharing by Sustainability-certified financial institutions in different countries, including ASKI Group represented by its President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rolando Victoria. Regulators and financial service providers from Uganda, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe also shared their perspectives on adopting the sustainability standards. Ms. Lyn Javier, Assistant Governor for Policy and Specialized Supervision Sub-Sector of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, delivered the closing remarks.