The webinar aimed to equip professionals in the Thai capital market with a fundamental understanding of ESG factors and the knowledge of how to provide ESG-related services to their clients, as well as updates on trends and the impact of changes in the industry. Also featured was a case study on integrating ESG criteria into investment analysis and investment decision making, which investment analysts and fund managers can apply to their work. ESG, in essence, is a mechanism for developing a sustainable capital market. CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, invited speakers and experts from the financial services industry to share their experiences at the webinar, which attracted more than 500 participants, including fund managers, investment analysts, and other interested parties in the industry. 

SEC Thailand Secretary-General Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol said, “Developing a sustainable capital market is always a priority for the SEC Thailand. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to strengthen our ecosystem, wherein capital market professionals and related stakeholders support and drive together to incorporate sustainability into their strategies and business decisions. We encourage investment analysts and fund managers to integrate ESG factors into their investment or advisory process and risk-return models. By doing so, fund managers and investment analysts will not only deliver better long-term outcomes to their clients, but also contribute as an important driving force for corporates to implement and attain their sustainable goals, which will further lead to the betterment of our society” 

Mary Leung, CFA, Head, Advocacy, Asia Pacific, CFA Institute, said, “Within the wide-ranging discussions about ESG issues, CFA Institute is specifically focused on the quality and comparability of the ESG information, and the ways to integrate various ESG factors into the investment selection process. We encourage all investment professionals to consider material ESG factors as an important part of the analytical and investment decision-making process, regardless of investment style, asset class, or investment approach. We are honoured to partner with the SEC Thailand and CFA Thailand in advocating broader consideration of ESG criteria in capital markets, and helping industry practitioners develop skills to effectively incorporate ESG in their practice.” 

Hardik Shah, CFA, ESG Practice Lead, GMO, said, “We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the way in which investors are integrating material ESG risks and opportunities, such as climate change, and diversity, into their investment analysis, portfolio construction, and engagement processes across asset classes. Given the importance of Asia in the global economic order, I believe that both Asian investors and corporations have a significant role to play in ensuring the world successfully transitions towards a sustainable and low carbon future.”

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