Ham Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group, "Expanding Investment in Biodiversity Conservation"

Keynote Speech at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Ham Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group, announced plans to increase investments in the biodiversity sector for sustainable finance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chairman Ham emphasized this during a keynote speech at a hotel in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 24th, at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) event. UNEP FI is an international organization involving over 450 financial institutions worldwide, aiming to ensure that financial companies' management activities are based on sustainability. This is the first time UNEP FI has been held in Korea.

Chairman Ham stated, "In the current situation where the importance of biodiversity is increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource depletion, we plan to actively participate in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF) this year," adding, "We will fulfill the role of finance for environmental and social responsibility by establishing policies and expanding investments in the 'biodiversity conservation sector,' which holds enormous potential."

He continued, "With the rapid digital transformation breaking down regional and national boundaries, the scope of stakeholders related to financial companies is expanding," and added, "As the social impact of finance grows, Hana Financial Group will take responsibility for environmental and social issues and strive for sustainable investment and the creation of shared value."

Hana Financial Group, the sponsor of this event, joined UNEP FI in 2007. In 2018, it was selected as one of UNEP FI's global 30 financial institutions and participated in the establishment of the UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking, which define the roles and responsibilities of banks in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2019, it became a signatory to the UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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