IFC Sustainability Webinar Series
The IFC Sustainability Webinar Series offers IFC expertise and thought leadership on sustainability issues. Recorded sessions are available for free on this webpage.
DISCLAIMER : These webinars are intended solely to provide information to the public. These webinars and any related materials are a product of the staff of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and external participants in the webinars. The views and opinions expressed as part of these webinars do not necessarily state or reflect those of IFC. IFC does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the content included in these webinars, or for the conclusions or judgments described in these webinars, and accepts no responsibility or liability for any omissions or errors in the content whatsoever or for reliance thereon. These webinars should not be reproduced or distributed without IFC’s prior consent.
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Exploring the Frontier of Best Practice in Environmental Disclosure Policies |
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There is a growing focus on the need to effectively and rapidly shift capital towards sustainable solutions. However key questions remain as to how investors, stakeholders and decision makers alike can best assess which companies, activities or financial products are truly sustainable. And how can this information best be standardized across a wide-array of contexts? IFC and CDP recently examined the current landscape of environmental disclosure policies across developed and developing economies, captured in a forthcoming report. Presented by the lead authors, the webinar will showcase the report’s analyses and findings, which spanned 38 jurisdictions. The report, which was developed in consultation with the UN SSE, also highlights practical examples for developing high-quality regulation that addresses market needs and investor demands, based on five criteria developed by CDP for successful mandatory disclosure. This discussion will also explore the direction of travel for environmental disclosure policy into the future and provide lessons for jurisdictions looking to build their own environmental disclosure policy frameworks, taking into consideration the forthcoming reporting standards by the International Sustainability Standards Board and the European Union. |
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Ralitza Germanova Corporate Governance Officer Ralitza Germanova oversees IFC’s Sustainability and Climate Disclosure and Transparency Program and is a Corporate Governance Officer with the institution based in Washington, DC. She has 20 years of experience working with regulators, stock exchanges, partner institutions, and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices and ESG disclosure and transparency in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. During her 13 years with IFC, Ralitza worked on advisory and investment aspects of Corporate Governance, ESG standards, sustainability, and climate disclosure and transparency across all regions. Most recently, Ralitza has focused on integrating ESG risks and opportunities into advisory and investment tools to maximize finance for development. |
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Evan Guy Senior Global Policy Manager Evan Guy is Senior Global Policy Manager for Sustainable Finance at CDP. In this role, Evan leads CDP’s global policy work on the topic of sustainable finance. Evan contributes to CDP’s mission by engaging with a wide range of different policy actors, including central banks, financial regulators, stock exchanges, ministries of finance, development finance institutions and others that are important to shaping a sustainable financial system. |
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Daniel Petrovics Research Consultant, DP Research & Consulting/Research Associate Daniel Petrovics is a researcher with an interest in organizational transparency and sustainability. His interests are underpinned by experience in a number of projects involving organizations such as GRI, CDP, IFC, UNGC, UNEP and PwC as well as work with academic institutions. His current work focuses on the scaling of low-carbon initiatives targeting climate mitigation and adaptation at the local / urban scale and he also works on projects linked to non-financial and sustainability reporting. |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC’s Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) specialists, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 8 (PS8). Cultural heritage encompasses properties and sites of archaeological, historical, cultural, artistic, and religious significance. It also refers to unique environmental features and cultural knowledge, as well as intangible forms of culture embodying traditional lifestyles that should be preserved for current and future generations. PS8 aims to guide companies in protecting cultural heritage from adverse impacts of project activities and supporting its preservation. It also promotes the equitable sharing of benefits from the use of cultural heritage. |
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Sofie Michaelsen Principal Social Development Specialist Sofie Michaelsen is a Principal Social Development Specialist and the Social Lead for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and Latin America Caribbean (LAC) in the Environment Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). She is currently the focal point for CEG in the implementation of PS2 and supports the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG, which focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues to create innovative solutions for our clients. She brings extensive managerial experience from managing E&S teams on complex projects and from her role as Regional Team Leader for the CEG team in Latin America. Her regional focus has been on Latin America, but she has always maintained a global exposure and worked in the oil & gas, mining, infrastructure, agribusiness, and manufacturing sectors during her 12 years at IFC. Sofie is a Danish national and holds a Master's Degree in International Development Studies and Anthropology (M.Soc.Sc.). Prior to her position at IFC, she advised European development finance institutions on social risk management and worked for a Danish consultancy firm where she was responsible for evaluating the development impact of donor aid projects. She currently lives in Belgrade with her husband and two daughters |
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Elena Chuzhakova Senior Environmental Specialist Elena Chuzhakova is a Senior Environmental Specialist in the Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG), responsible for the environmental and social appraisal and monitoring of IFC’s investment projects in Europe. For 4 years Elena acted as a Global E&S Sector Lead for IFC’s Services projects (Health Care, Education, Tourism, Retail). Elena holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. Before joining IFC in 2005, Elena worked for a Dutch consultancy firm specializing in solid waste management. Elena is also a certified ISO 14001 auditor. |
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Graham Charles Jacobs Consultant Graham Jacobs is a consultant advising the EBRD and IFC in the implementation of PR 08 and PS 08 on a project in Kazakhstan. He has Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from the University of Cape Town and a Masters's Degree in Conservation Studies (Built Environment) from the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, University of York, UK. He has approximately 32 years of experience in architectural and built environment conservation which includes cultural landscape analysis. Graham's work has extended from South Africa to various countries abroad, and he has a special interest in harnessing heritage conservation for empowering underprivileged communities. |
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SBFN’s Data and Disclosure Working Group is mapping the latest country-level developments in sustainable finance data and disclosure across the SBFN community, as well as key international initiatives. This webinar contributes to the development of tools and practical guidance for SBFN members as they advance national sustainable finance initiatives. On June 14, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) launched new disclosure guidance that aims to guide listed companies on best practice in sustainability and climate-related disclosure, responding to market demand. The guidance is well-aligned with the latest developments from the IFRS International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD), among other international developments. The JSE will share its experience in researching the latest global trends, engaging local stakeholders, and supporting South Africa’s sustainable finance journey, such as the new national green finance taxonomy. The JSE is the 17th largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization and the largest exchange on the African continent. It was the first stock exchange globally to introduce a sustainability index in 2004 and is a founding partner of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative. At the same time, the Financial System Benchmark of the World Benchmarking Alliance is currently ranking the 400 most influential financial institutions globally on their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The benchmark incorporates feedback from global consultations in 2020 to map the sustainability behaviors of financial institutions in both developed and emerging markets. Data collection, verification, and analysis is underway, with the launch of the first benchmark due at COP27. The webinar will explore lessons from WBA's own exploration of global sustainability disclosure trends to develop a ranking that helps to drive best practice and can be used in practical ways by industry and regulators. |
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How to Use Geospatial Data to Monitor Land Conversion & Avoid Reputational Risks |
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The conversion of natural habitats to support agribusiness and mining activities involves deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. Companies that finance agribusiness and extractive activities may pose environmental and social risks that may affect their reputation. This webinar will explain how IFC assesses risks to biodiversity and implements options for mitigating these risks. Objective To support the assessment, the World Resources Institute (WRI) will provide a demo of GFW Pro, an online management application that helps companies use geospatial forest data to monitor supply chains and manage progress towards meeting deforestation commitments. The system is free of charge, providing analysis and dashboards available at the property, supply shed and portfolio levels. GFW Pro utilizes security protocols to ensure the integrity and security of all aspects of the system and its users’ data. |
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Jared Hardner Biodiversity Specialist Jared Hardner is a consulting Biodiversity Specialist for the IFC. He is the co-author of the most recent update (2019) of IFC’s Guidance Note for Performance Standard 6 and the Technical Note for Agri-Business Supply Chains (2022). He has worked on biodiversity conservation and management in multiple sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as other parts of the world, for the past 30 years. |
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Luiz Calado Strategic Solutions & Engagement Specialist Luiz Calado is a Strategic Solutions & Engagement Specialist for Latin America. Luiz works with the Global Forest Watch team to expand GFW´s uptake and impact across the region. Luiz has an extensive background in agricultural engineering and has worked in the Brazilian farming sector for 18 years. Besides leading the agricultural activities, Luiz partnered with research institutions to promote innovative technologies and working practices to optimize agricultural productivity while also improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Luiz holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP), an MBA in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and an MSc in Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions from University College London (UCL). While at the UK, he also earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business, from University of Cambridge. |
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In response to a growing request for information on the IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), we’ve arranged a workshop and Q & As for emerging markets together with the ISSB and IFC. The workshop aims to present and address your questions pertaining to the development of the ISSB’s exposure drafts and the next steps of the ISSB. We also aim to use this webinar to gauge your perceptions, expectations, and implementation support needed of the ISSB standards. This webinar took place on Thursday, June 16 at 13:30 – 14:45 CET / 7:30 – 8:45 am EDT. Background: On November 3, 2021, the IFRS Foundation announced the establishment of the ISSB, which has been positioned as one of the key steps supporting the pathway to sustainable finance and providing enabling mechanisms to mobilize private capital for climate action and sustainable development. The ISSB is developing a comprehensive global baseline of high-quality sustainability disclosure standards to meet investors’ information needs, and has recently published two exposure drafts focused on General Disclosure and Climate-related Disclosure for public consultations. In this workshop, the ISSB will give an overview of the two exposure drafts currently open for comment. However, we recommend that participants review these two drafts beforehand in order to provide feedback and ask questions that can support a constructive dialogue and enhancement of the drafts. You can access the exposure draft on General Sustainability-related Disclosures here, and the Climate Disclosure Draft here. |
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Martine Valcin Global Manger, Corporate Governance I ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning Martine is the Global Manager, Corporate Governance / ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning in the Sustainability and Gender Solutions Department at International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC. She is responsible for global corporate governance investment risk management, the delivery of ESG advisory solutions, knowledge support to IFC staff and clients on best-in-class ESG risk management, and ESG-related technology and tools portfolio. She also leads ESG capacity-building initiatives globally over various issues such as disclosure and transparency, sustainable finance, corporate governance for small-medium enterprises and women in business leadership. She joined IFC in 2019 from Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), where she held the role of Senior Director, Responsible Investment, inaugurating and leading the integration of ESG factors for PSP’s global public equities and bonds portfolio. Before joining PSP in 2016, Martine worked at Toronto Stock Exchange for fifteen years, where she held roles of increasing responsibilities. In her last role as Director, Listed Issuer Services, she led a multi-disciplinary team of professionals tasked with listing companies and reviewing Canada’s principal stock exchange corporate finance transactions. Martine is a McGill University graduate and holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and an M.B.A (Finance) from École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal. |
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Charles (Chuck) Travis Canfield Principal Corporate Governance Officer Chuck has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Elmhurst University, Chicago, Illinois, USA, and a Juris Doctor with a concentration in International Law from Northwestern University. Chuck is a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (London). He has extensive experience advising enterprises on corporate governance and is the one of the main architects of the IFC Updated Corporate Governance Methodology and the IFC Beyond the Balance Sheet: Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit. Chuck’s current endeavors include overseeing the CG Portfolio for the World Region. In addition, he has extensive experience as an auditor and tax advisor with international accounting firms as well as legal experience as a corporate and securities attorney. Chuck has drafted accounting and audit regulation in numerous jurisdictions and authored law review articles on accounting and audit reform. He has served as the World Bank Group Representative to the Monitoring Group and assisted a Strategy Working Party Member with the late 1990s reforms of the then International Accounting Standards Committee. |
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Sundip Jadeja ISSB Technical Staff Sundip is part of the technical team at the IFRS Foundation involved in the development of the ISSB’s General Requirements Exposure Draft. He was previously part of the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) technical team that consolidated with the IFRS Foundation in February 2022, having supported the CDSB’s technical work programme to drive uptake of the TCFD recommendations and enhance reporting of climate, natural capital and environmental information globally, including leading a project to advance the integration of material climate-related information into financial reporting. Previously Sundip spent four years at the trade body representing the UK private equity and venture capital industry, leading on several policy areas including responsible and impact investing; accounting, reporting and legal developments; and a governance initiative to improve transparency within the industry. Sundip trained as a chartered accountant at Deloitte and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). He has an MA in Land Economy from Cambridge. |
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Caroline Clark-Maxwell ISSB Technical Staff Caroline is the Project Lead for the Climate Standard at the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), having previously played an active role in the Technical Readiness Working Group (TRWG) preparing their recommendations to the ISSB, in the form of prototype standards, including a prototype climate standard. Caroline was also part of the team facilitating the initial conversations between the IFRS Foundation, the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) and the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF) on the potential to consolidate the three organisations, leading to the announcement to consolidate at COP26 in November 2021. Prior to working with the IFRS Foundation, Caroline worked as the Data Standards Lead for the Impact Management Project, working closely with CDP, CDSB, GRI, VRF, TCFD and WEF on various initiatives to facilitate improved interoperability between various framework and standards initiatives. Caroline has also worked as a strategy consultant for a global strategy firm, specialising in strategy and due diligence projects across a range of industries. She holds a double MSc in International Management and Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment from the Norwegian School of Economics. |
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Anthony Miller Coordinator of UN SSE initiative Anthony Miller is the Coordinator of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative. He has managed the SSE since its launch by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009. |
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Tiffany Grabski Senior Specialist Tiffany is a Senior Specialist for the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) initiative. In this role she was responsible for the drafting of guidance documents to help stock exchanges guide their markets on climate reporting and integrate the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) task force on climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD). |
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Ralitza Germanova Corporate Governance Officer Ralitza is the Lead of the IFC’s Sustainability and Climate Disclosure and Transparency Program and Corporate Governance Officer with the IFC Environment, Social, and Governance Department based in Washington, DC. She has 20 years of experience working with regulators, stock exchanges, partner institutions, and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices and ESG disclosure and transparency in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. During her 13 years within IFC, Ralitza worked on advisory and investment aspects of Corporate Governance, ESG standards, sustainability and climate disclosure and transparency across all regions. In the last five years, Ralitza has focused on integrating ESG risks and opportunities into advisory and investment tools to maximize finance for development. She is the architect of the award-winning Beyond the Balance Sheet, IFC’s Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit, and currently an online platform. Beyond helping companies to improve ESG reporting, the Toolkit provides guidance to regulators and stock exchanges in developing ESG disclosure rules and sets disclosure standards in emerging markets. Ralitza led the development of ESG regulations, codes, scorecards, disclosure guidelines, bond principles with stock exchanges and regulators in ECA, LAC, MENA, Africa, East, and South Asia. She is the principal author of the Corporate Governance Scorecards toolkit, which led to developing an internationally recognized standard for CG assessment. In addition, she supported over forty CG codes and scorecards worldwide (Nigeria, Bulgaria, Serbia, Brazil, Kenya, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Vietnam, etc.). In addition, she is developing and delivering ESG training and capacity building for companies, banks, and regulators in all regions. Ralitza has been leading the development of knowledge and training materials on Corporate Governance Codes, capacity building of director training institutions, and bank governance. Publications: From Companies to Markets – Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. Before joining IFC, Ralitza worked for UNDP Bulgaria as a UN Global Compact Network coordinator, introducing Corporate Social Responsibility concepts in the country and with the Bulgarian Foreign Direct Investment Agency to promote foreign investment. Ralitza holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance from HANKEN School of Economics in Helsinki and a Master’s in Laws and Economics from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. |
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This session introduces MALENA – IFC’s Machine Learning ESG Analyst. MALENA is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered, analytics platform and virtual analyst, trained using IFC's unique historical datasets generated through 15+ years of project environmental, social, and governance (ESG) due diligence and portfolio management. These datasets include content related to ESG, climate, gender, and infrastructure risks and cover all the countries in which IFC conducts business, including those classified as fragile and conflict-affected. MALENA uses natural language processing (NLP) techniques to identify ESG risk terms in sentences and predict if these terms occur in a positive, negative, or neutral context. IFC's Performance Standards and Corporate Governance Methodology provide MALENA's ESG taxonomy of 1200+ risk terms. MALENA can organize information in many ways, including several ESG topics, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), companies, countries, and sectors. With the ability to screen large amounts of information, MALENA creates analytical capacity at scale and enables emerging market investors to rapidly identify risks and address issues early in the investment cycle, enabling mitigation against adverse ESG outcomes. |
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Atiyah Curmally Principal Environmental Specialist Atiyah Curmally is a Principal Environmental Specialist at the International Finance Corporation. Her responsibilities include support to senior management on global sustainability issues for capital markets. Atiyah also leads the ESG Innovation and Data Science work program which most recently conceived, prototyped, and delivered an artificial intelligence solution to create analytical capacity at scale using natural language processing. Atiyah’s previous responsibilities at IFC include overseeing ESG investment support to IFC’s Financial Markets, Funds, and Short-term Finance Departments. Her prior work experience includes positions with the private sector and non-profit institutions focused on infrastructure project finance and risk management for financial markets. Atiyah has a Masters in Environmental Policy from Brown University. |
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Florian Skene Operations Analyst Florian Skene is a Data Analyst at the International Finance Corporation. In his role with the ESG Innovation and Data Science team, Florian is the Product Owner of an artificial intelligence solution to create analytical capacity for ESG at scale using natural language processing. He works on all aspects related to data and coordinates the development work to enhance the product. Previously Florian worked in credit risk management for a global investment bank and for a technology startup. He holds degrees in mathematics and in international relations from the University of Mannheim and Johns Hopkins University. |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC’s Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) specialists, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 7 (PS7). Indigenous Peoples (IPs) may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts associated with project development, including the risk of impoverishment and loss of identity, culture, and natural resource-based livelihoods. PS7 seeks to ensure that business activities minimize negative impacts, foster respect for human rights, dignity, and culture of indigenous populations, and promote development benefits in culturally appropriate ways. Informed consultation and participation with IPs throughout the project process is a core requirement and may include Free, Prior, and Informed Consent under certain circumstances. |
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Diana Baird Principal Social Development Specialist Diana Baird, Principal Social Development Specialist, and Global Social Lead is one of IFC’s most senior Social Specialists in the Sustainability and Gender Department (CEG) of IFC. She established and was a Team Lead of the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG from 2012 to 2017. The SPG continues to focus on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues in order to create innovative solutions for our clients. Diana has worked across all sectors and regions during her 20+ years at IFC. She was instrumental in kick-starting the Department's work on Gender-Based Violence, working closely with other DFIs and the World Bank. She spent almost 10 years supervising the Chad Cameroon Pipeline Project after construction, and worked on IFC’s first mining early equity project, starting in 2006, which poured its first gold in Guyana in 2015. She has worked on infrastructure, power, and renewables as well as agribusiness. One agribusiness project in Honduras, had very challenging human rights, security, access to land, and other social and community issues to resolve over several years. In addition, she has also worked across the health, education, and FI sectors globally Diana is a Canadian national, who attended McGill University (B.A. Geography, Montreal, Canada) and the London School of Economics (M.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, London, UK). She currently lives in Washington with her husband and twin boys. |
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Jorge E. Villegas Senior Environmental and Social Dev. Specialist Jorge E. Villegas is a Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist who has over 25 years of experience in environmental and social management of private and public projects across regions and sectors, mainly in infrastructure deals. Jorge has worked both at the WB and IFC since 2004 and he has been based in Peru (2006-2008), Vienna (2013-2018), and Bangkok (2018), where he was IFC’s E&S Regional Team Lead for East Asia & the Pacific. He is now IFC's Global E&S Sector Lead for Infrastructure. Before joining the World Bank Group (WBG) Jorge worked at the UNDP and Colombia’s National Planning Department. Jorge was part of the IFC Performance Standards update in 2012 and the development of the WB’s new E&S Framework more recently, and he has contributed to multiple capacity-building initiatives and good practice guidance documents on stakeholder engagement, resettlement, and Indigenous Peoples. Jorge holds an MSc in Environmental Management, an MA in International Development Studies, and BA in Finance and International Relations. |
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IFC’s Environmental and Social Management System Diagnostic Tool for Financial Institutions |
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IFC’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) Diagnostic Tool for financial institutions (FIs) is designed to enable IFC, FIs, institutional investors, and asset managers to assess or self-assess the quality of an ESMS and benchmark it against IFC’s Performance Standard 1 and good market practices. Presented by IFC’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) team, this 45-minute webinar will give an overview and demonstration of the ESMS FI Tool |
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Felipe Becker Albertani Principal Environmental Specialist Felipe Albertani is an Environmental Specialist with IFC’s ESG department, where he has been working for the past 10 years on E&S risk management for financial institutions. Felipe has a master’s degree in environmental management and has worked in academia, the non-profit sector, the Inter-American Development Bank, and as an independent consultant before joining IFC. |
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Aditi Jagtiani Consultant Aditi Jagtiani is a consultant working with IFC’s ESG Global Advisory team on building emerging markets capital market ESG data and tools, including IFC’s ESG Performance Indicators for Capital Markets and IFC’s Environmental and Social Management System Diagnostic tool for Financial Institutions. Aditi also works on IFC’s collaboration with Arabesque ESG Book and on supporting IFC’s work program on building a Machine Learning ESG Analyst. Prior to working with IFC’s ESG team, Aditi was a Senior Investment Officer with IFC’s Financial Institutions Group, structuring investments to financial institutions in a number of emerging markets and enabling access to finance. |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) biodiversity specialists, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 6 (PS6) and its accompanying Guidance Note 6. The webinar will focus on PS6 objectives, applicability, the identification of priority biodiversity values, and habitat classification. The team will highlight how requirements differ depending on the project’s location and will share examples of real-life challenges in PS6 implementation. The final part of the session will focus on PS6 requirements for supply chains. |
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Lori Anna Conzo Global Biodiversity Lead Lori Anna Conzo is the Global Biodiversity Lead and a Senior Environmental Specialist in the Sustainability & Gender Solutions Department of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group. Lori specializes in the development of mitigation and management strategies to address biodiversity-related risks and impacts for private sector developments in emerging markets and developing countries globally. She is the lead author of IFC’s Performance Standard (PS) 6, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources (2012), and its accompanying Guidance Note (GN) 6. Lori has 20 years of experience in negotiation on biodiversity issues with industries ranging from the extractives, energy, infrastructure, and agribusiness sectors. |
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Maria Estella Nucci Biodiversity Specialist Maria Estella Nucci is a Biodiversity Specialist in the Sustainability & Gender Solutions Department of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group. Estella provides support to the Global E&S team and to the Latin American and Caribbean region in identifying biodiversity-related risks and defining appropriate mitigation measures. She has a background in Ecology and before joining IFC in 2020 she worked for 10 years as an Environmental Specialist in the Oil and Gas Sector. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standard 5 |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) experts, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 5 (PS5) and how companies can avoid involuntary resettlement wherever possible and minimize its impact on those displaced through mitigation measures. The webinar will also cover how active community engagement throughout the process is essential. |
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Diana Baird Principal Social Development Specialist Diana Baird is one of IFC’s most senior Social Specialists in the Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG) of IFC and is currently a Focal Point for the implementation of IFC’s Gender Strategy. She created and was Team Lead of the Social Practice Group (SPG) within the Dept. from 2012 to 2017. The SPG focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues in order to create innovative solutions for our clients. Diana has worked across all sectors and regions during her 20+ years at IFC. She spent almost 10 years supervising the Chad Cameroon Pipeline Project after construction and worked on IFC’s first mining early equity project, starting in 2006 and which poured its first gold in Guyana in 2015. She has worked on a power project in India, gold mining and agribusiness in Ghana, sugar cane in Nicaragua, and oil palm in Honduras, of which the later project had very challenging human rights, security, access to land, and other social and community issues to resolve. In addition, she has also worked across the infrastructure, health, education, and FI sectors globally. Diana is a Canadian national, who attended McGill University (B.A. Geography, Montreal, Canada) and the London School of Economics (M.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, London, UK). She currently lives in Washington with her husband and twin boys. |
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Abhishek Singh Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist Abhishek Singh is a Senior Social Specialist in the E&S Policy and Risk Department (CES). He has over 20 years of working experience in the field of Social development with a focus on Social Impact Assessment and Land/ Resettlement Advisory Services/Indigenous People and Labor and Contractor management issues. Abhishek has worked across various sectors and regions/geographies and with a wide range of clients and Financial Institutions to promote the adoption of ESG standards and integrate environmental and social considerations into lending decisions and business operations. He brings hands-on experience of working on projects/and providing advisory support to clients/companies and financial institutions that have a commitment to adhere to international standards and requirements. Prior to joining IFC, Abhishek worked as a Principal Social Safeguard Specialist with Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its headquarters in Manila. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing risks and ensuring compliance to ADB Safeguard policies and guidelines for new investments and existing portfolio projects. Abhishek holds Indian Citizenship and is Postgraduate in Social Sciences with a specialization in “Urban and Rural Community Development”. |
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IFC Sustainability Webinar: Investing in Africa’s Sustainable Future. Webinar on Collaborative Leadership for Sustainable Finance by the African Pension Sector. |
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SBFN and the African Pension Supervisors Forum, in collaboration with the World Bank's Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice (FCI GP), hosted “Investing in Africa’s Sustainable Future”, a webinar to explore collective leadership for sustainable finance by the African Pension Sector The webinar features latest research from the World Bank on ESG disclosure by African pensions and listed companies. Hear firsthand, practical experiences from African pension fund regulators and supervisors from Kenya and South Africa, as well as South Africa's Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and Eskom Pension and Provident Fund (EPPF), who are responding to new trends in ESG, sustainable finance, and climate change to build a better future for their beneficiaries. Speakers shared their visions and tools for pension funds to promote sustainable development, contribute to the SDGs, and mobilize national and regional collaboration. They also confirmed the critical importance of ESG risk management, sustainability reporting, and climate risk management as foundations for pension funds to achieve their economic and social responsibilities to their stakeholders. The event is part of SBFN's webinar series and reflects SBFN's new expanded focus on national and regional enabling frameworks for sustainable finance across all parts of the financial sector ecosystem, including pensions and capital markets. For more in-depth insights into sustainable finance trends across emerging markets, see SBFN’s 2021 Global Progress Report at www.sbfnetwork.org. |
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Nzomo Mutuku CEO, Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) of Kenya, and Mr Nzomo Mutuku is the Chief Executive Officer of the Retirement Benefits Authority of Kenya and an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Economics as well as a first class honours Bachelor of Arts Degree (Economics) and is a Fellow of the Economists Society of Kenya. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Mutuku had been seconded to the National Treasury & Planning as a Senior Adviser, Financial Sector and Acting Director, Financial and Sectoral Affairs Department. Previously he was the Chief Manager, Research & Development at RBA, and had worked with RBA since 2000 when he joined from the Central Bank of Kenya. Mr. Mutuku has a wealth of experience in the operations and activities of the financial sector. He has undertaken training in pensions and financial markets in various countries including the UK, Canada and USA at Harvard University and the Wharton Business School. He was the founder Chairman of the Technical Committee on Collaboration between Financial Sector Regulators in Kenya and has authored a number of papers and made several presentations at international forums on issues relating to the retirement benefits industry. In September 2019, Mr. Mutuku was appointed as the Interim Chair of the African Pension Supervisors Forum (ASPF). |
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Olano Makhubela Divisional Executive for Retirement Funds Supervision Mr. Olano Makhubela is currently (as of 1 October 2017) the Divisional Executive for Retirement Funds Supervision at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa —previously the Financial Services Board. Before that, he was with the National Treasury from 2000, during which time he assisted with the development of Government policy on retirement reforms, insurance, investment funds, financial integrity, prudential regulation, capital controls and flows, first tier banking and financial inclusion. He represented the National Treasury at the G20 Financial Access Working Group, Financial Sector Charter and Nedlac processes. Olano has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of KwaZulu-Natal; Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Witwatersrand; BCom Honours (Economics) (cum laude) from University of South Africa; and a Masters in Science in Development Economics from the University of London. |
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Fiona Stewart Lead Financial Sector Specialist, Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Ms. Fiona Stewart is part of the Long-term Finance Team in the World Bank’s Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice. Fiona provides policy advice on pension and insurance market reform to governments around the world. She also coordinates the Bank’s work on sustainable finance, including representing the institution at the G20 Working Group on Sustainable Finance and Co-Chairing the Finance Taskforce under the UN Decade on Restoration. Previously, Fiona worked for the OECD’s Financial Affairs Division and led the Secretariat of the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS). Prior to the OECD, Fiona worked in the pension fund industry. As head of American Express Asset Management in Japan she was responsible for investing $2bn in Asian equity markets, and, as part of an international team, for managing $20bn globally. She holds degrees from Oxford and Johns Hopkins Universities and a Chartered Financial Analyst qualification. She also served on the advisory board of one of the OECD’s own pension funds. |
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Martin Valcin Global Manager, ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning Ms. Martine Valcin is the Global Manager, Corporate Governance / ESG Advisory, Knowledge, and Learning in the Sustainability and Gender Solutions Department at International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC. In her role, she is responsible for global corporate governance investment risk management, the delivery of ESG advisory solutions, knowledge support to IFC staff and clients on best-in-class ESG risk management, and ESG-related technology and tools portfolio. She also leads ESG capacity-building initiatives globally over various issues such as disclosure and transparency, sustainable finance, corporate governance for small-medium enterprises, and women in business leadership. She joined IFC in 2019 from Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), where she held the role of Senior Director, Responsible Investment, inaugurating and leading the integration of ESG factors for PSP’s global public equities and bonds portfolio. Before joining PSP in 2016, Martine worked at Toronto Stock Exchange for fifteen years, where she held roles of increasing responsibilities. In her last role as Director, Listed Issuer Services, she led a multi-disciplinary team of professionals tasked with listing companies and reviewing Canada’s principal stock exchange corporate finance transactions. Martine is a McGill University graduate and holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and an M.B.A (Finance) from École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal. |
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Louise Gardiner Africa and Working Groups Coordinator Ms. Louise Gardiner has been a sustainable finance and disclosure specialist with IFC, part of the World Bank Group, since 2005, and part of the Secretariat of the IFC-facilitated, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) since 2012. She is currently Working Groups and Africa Coordinator for SBFN and led the development of SBFN's 2021 Global Progress and Country Reports — the most comprehensive benchmarking of national sustainable finance initiatives in emerging markets. She was previously Green Bond Working Group Coordinator and managed the 2018 SBFN report “Creating Green Bond Markets”. She has worked closely with SBFN members to advance national initiatives on sustainable finance. This has included support since 2011 to the South African pension and banking sectors, and support to South Africa’s National Treasury to develop a national green finance taxonomy. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standard 4 |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) experts, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 4 (PS4) and how business activities and infrastructure projects may expose local communities to increased risks and adverse impacts related to worksite accidents; hazardous materials; road safety; spread of diseases; or gender-based violence (GBV) exploitation or harassment. PS4 helps companies adopt responsible practices to reduce such risks including through emergency preparedness and response, security force management, and design health and safety measures. |
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Alessandro Casartelli Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist Alessandro Casartelli is a senior E&S Development specialist in the E&S Policy and Risk Department (CES). He joined IFC in 2020 in Washington, DC. Prior to joining IFC, he has worked on a variety of investment projects across the globe. He spent 25+ years in large environmental and engineering companies in Europe and UK, working closely with companies, MDBs, DFIs, ECAs, and commercial banks to promote the adoption of ESG standards and integrate environmental and social considerations into lending decisions and with private sector companies in the project design and implementation of GIIP in emerging markets. He brings hands-on experience leading on environmental and social risk management issues in energy, mining, and infrastructure projects across Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He has dual Venezuelan and Italian citizenship and is a graduate of the University La Sapienza of Rome in Geological and Environmental Sciences and holds a Master of Sciences in Hydrogeology and Groundwater Resources at University College London. |
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Diana Baird Principal Social Development Specialist Diana Baird is one of IFC’s most senior social specialists in the Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). She is one of the Focal Points for CEG in the implementation of IFC’s Gender Strategy and until recently was leading the Department’s gender and gender-based violence work. In 2012 she created and currently leads the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG, which focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues to create innovative solutions for our clients. Diana has worked across all sectors and regions during her many years at IFC. She spent a decade supervising the Chad Cameroon Pipeline Project and worked on IFC’s first mining early equity project, which started in 2006 and poured its first gold in Guyana in 2015. She has worked on a power project in India, gold mining and agribusiness in Ghana, sugar cane in Nicaragua, rubber in Liberia, and oil palm in Honduras, with very challenging human rights, security, access to land, and other social and community issues to resolve. In addition, she has also worked across the infrastructure, health, education, and FI sectors globally. Diana is a Canadian national, who attended McGill University (B.A. Geography, Montreal, Canada) and the London School of Economics (M.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, London, UK). She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and twin boys. |
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Andrea Cullinan Senior Social Development Specialist Andrea Cullinan is the global thematic Lead for gender-based violence in IFC’s Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). She brings over twenty years of expertise as a gender and gender-based violence specialist in national, regional and global leadership roles in United Nations, focused on strengthening, coordinating, and standardizing efforts in fragile and developing contexts to prevent and address GBV across multi-stakeholders including international development organizations, I/NGOs, public-private partnerships, donors and governments. Andrea has lived and worked extensively in Africa (primarily East, Horn, and Maghreb countries for 12+ yrs) and Asia (Afghanistan, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Thailand, Philippines). With a rich and diverse background, she joined IFC and brings a real-life practical understanding of developmental challenges and contexts in which IFC works |
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SBFN Global Progress Report Launch Webinar: Accelerating Sustainable Finance Together |
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The OECD estimates $2.5 trillion in financing needs in developing countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IFC has estimated over $23 trillion in investment opportunities in emerging markets to address climate change mitigation and adaptation. Sustainable finance frameworks are more important than ever to help countries reduce environmental and social risks and unlock opportunities in sustainability-focused finance. This free webinar presents exclusive country insights from SBFN’s 2021 Global Progress Report: Accelerating Sustainable Finance Together: Evidence of Policy innovations and Market Actions across 43 Emerging Markets, to be launched in late October. Supported by 30+ Country Reports, SBFN’s Global Report is the most comprehensive benchmarking of national sustainable finance initiatives across emerging markets. It applies a measurement framework informed and agreed by SBFN members based on their practical experiences. The 2021 report is based on country-level data shared by SBFN members, interviews with over 40 countries, and extensive data collection carried out by the SBFN Secretariat throughout 2021. IFC Vice President, Alfonso Garcia Mora, will join high-level representatives from SBFN member institutions to discuss how emerging markets are shifting their financial sectors to sustainable finance practices. They will explore how collaboration, both within countries and across borders, can accelerate this process. The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) —formerly the Sustainable Banking Network —now represents 43 countries, 63 institutions (central banks, supervisors, capital market regulators, ministries of finance, ministries of environment, and banking associations) from the emerging markets. Launched in 2021, it is facilitated by IFC as Secretariat and technical partner, and supported by the World Bank Group. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standard 3 |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC ESG experts, this 75-minute webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 3 (PS3) and how it guides clients to integrate practices that promote resource efficiency; pollution prevention and control; and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Special attention will be paid to PS3’s emphasis on the Mitigation Hierarchy and the use of good international industry practice, including the WBG Environmental Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines which are fundamental to the implementation of PS3. Future webinars will follow providing a more in-depth overview of each of the other Performance Standards as part of IFC's Sustainability Framework. |
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Adriana Triana Senior Environmental Specialist Adriana Triana is a Senior Environmental Specialist with the E&S Policy and Risk (CES) Department, she leads the collective efforts to build an IFC’s knowledge and learning program for E&S practitioners. Adriana joined IFC in 2008, before her current role on knowledge and learning she was the IFC’s E&S Sector Lead for Consumer Services (Tourism, Retail, Property, Health, and Education) for four years. She has also been a focal point for Occupational Health and Safety. Before IFC, Adriana worked for several years with consultancy companies providing guidance on quality, environmental, and occupational safety management systems in different sectors. She is a certified Lead Auditor in environmental management systems. Adriana is a Colombian national and a Chemical Engineer; she holds a Master's in Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a second Master's in Environmental Health -Industrial Hygiene from the Harvard School of Public Health, in the USA. She currently lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and two girls |
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Mandar Parasnis Principal Environmental Specialist Mandar Parasnis is the Principal Environmental Specialist with IFC’s E&S Policy and Risk (CES) Department, responsible for managing E&S risks for the IFC’s investment projects in ECA and LAC regions. Mandar joined IFC in 2008 in New Delhi; during 2016-2021 he worked as Global E&S Lead for Manufacturing and Services sectors, in addition to working on a range of investment projects in South and East Asia. Prior to joining IFC, Mandar has worked on several international projects related to cleaner production, industrial pollution control, sustainable consumption and production, and environmental policy. He is an ISO 14001 EMS auditor/trainer, has made numerous presentations in international conferences, and has authored several publications. Mandar holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in environmental science and engineering (Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai). He has lived and worked in India, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and has recently moved to Washington, DC area with his family. |
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Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Integrated ESG standards program beyond the balance sheet: Disclosure & Transparency Training Of Trainers (TOT) |
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This D&T webinar series, developed jointly by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (UN SSE) aims to help IFC’s partners in Europe and Central Asia to: 1) Understand the international and EU sustainability disclosure landscape. 2) Practice how to prepare and assess annual reports for investors and other stakeholders, integrating financial and sustainability information according to good international practice. 3) Enhance the knowledge base, skills sets and access resources to provide: a. Training on sustainability disclosure for companies, banks and boards of directors; and b. Policy support on developing ESG reporting guidelines and understanding of green finance for regulators and stock exchanges. The Integrated ESG Standards Program has organized this webinar series to help partner institutions deepen their knowledge of sustainability disclosure and transparency and to build regional capacities to adapt IFC’s award-winning Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit “Beyond the Balance Sheet” resources for consulting and other services in the region. Recorded webinars: Day 1 ; Day 2 ; Day 3 Presentation material - Zip file Tip Sheet: Expert Insights – ESG Disclosure and Transparency Online, Expanding Pathways for Sustainable Growth in Emerging Markets, June 2021 Special Guidance: Disclosure and Transparency in Crisis - Increasing Resilience and Building Trust During and After COVID-19, February 2021 |
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Alexander Berg Alex is Senior Financial Sector Development Specialist in the Financial Stability and Integrity Global Unit within FCI. His current work program is focused on corporate governance reforms, with a particular emphasis on reform of state owned banks and enterprises, and the creation of strong state ownership units. He also works to provide technical assistance in the area of company law, financial sector regulation, and cooperate governance codes, and coordinates the World Bank’s Corporate Governance ROSC program. Alex has an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from Oberlin College. |
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Anne E. Molyneux Anne Molyneux, is a Director of CS International, a global consulting firm. She is an experienced director and former trustee of pension funds and is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow). She advises in corporate governance and reporting, banking and securities regulations. She is Vice-Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – the global investor network. Mrs. Molyneux has developed public and private sector corporate governance practices, including for companies, banks, regulators and stock exchanges. Her work includes the development of corporate governance codes, board policies and practices, board and committee charters. She undertakes board evaluations, audit committee advice and support, scorecards for national and company assessments and capacity building in sustainability and corporate governance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to private company and state-owned enterprise clients, her clients include the OECD, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She has wide experience in Asia, South Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. |
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Anthony Miller Economic Affairs Officer Anthony Miller is the Co-Coordinator of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative and the Focal Point for Corporate Social Responsibility within the Investment and Enterprise Division of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He has managed the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative since its launch by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009. In 2011, the initiative was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “world’s best sustainability ideas”. Dr. Miller is a specialist on CSR, corporate governance and responsible investment, with particular emphasis on how these issues impact developing countries. He is a regular contributor to UNCTAD’s flagship World Investment Report and for over 10 years an annual guest lecturer on CSR and responsible investment at the Cambridge Centre for Development Studies. He holds an MPhil and PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge. |
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Bistra Boeva Prof. Bistra Boeva is a full time professor at the “International Economic Relations and Business” Department at the University for National and World Economic Studies (Sofia, Bulgaria). She holds a postdoctoral degree in international business and master’s degree in law. Prof. Boeva chaired the Supervisory Board of the Privatization Fund Kaliman (1996-1997) and held of Board of Directorships in of Bulgarian companies. For four years (1997-2001), she was a Commissioner at the Bulgarian National Securities and Stock Exchange Commission. Between 2008 and 2011, she was appointed as a member of the European Forum for Corporate Governance established by European Commission. Currently Prof. Boeva is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group (Global Forum for Corporate Governance-IFC/ World Bank). In her capacity as a PSAG member, she works on projects in ECA countries. |
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Boris Janjalia Boris Janjalia (Georgia) has been working with IFC since 2007, advising banks and companies in Europe and Central Asia, and Africa on corporate governance, and assisting them in promoting, regulating and implementing their corporate governance practices. Before joining IFC, Boris worked as a Head of the Legal Department at Financial Monitoring Service of the National Bank of Georgia Boris has LL.M in International Commercial Law from University of Aberdeen and LL.B from Tbilisi State University. Boris holds an International Certificate in Risk Management from the Institute of Risk Management and completed an executive education course on Governance of Family Enterprises at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. |
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Erik P.M. Vermeulen Erik’s work can be broken down into four categories. First, Erik is a Professor of Business and Financial Law and the Director of the International Business Law program at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. He teaches business organizations and governance, law and technology, and business innovation and finance at Tilburg Law School, TIAS School for Business and Society, and at other universities around the world. Erik also offers classes specifically tailored to an online audience. His research, including chapters of his academic books, can be downloaded from the Social Science Research Network. Erik has appeared at numerous conferences as a keynote speaker. Second, Erik works at the intersection of the academic and corporate worlds. He is a Senior Legal Counsel at Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting). He works on corporate matters, mergers & acquisitions, and reorganizations. Third, Erik can be described as a content creator. He has a blog at medium.com/@erikpmvermeulen, where he shares insights in how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities across all areas of the economy and society. In our fast-changing world, Erik revisits long-held assumptions and theories, and seeks to develop new models more appropriate to the next normal. He is a top writer in innovation and education on online publication platform Medium. |
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Jerome Lavigne-Delville Jerome Lavigne-Delville is an expert in global corporate sustainability and responsible investment, with 20 years of experience in sustainability, finance and law. Jerome currently serves as a Senior Consultant for the IFC, working with the Corporate Governance Group to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in emerging markets. He is also a Senior Advisor for the UN Global Compact, focusing on Financial Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jerome was a key architect of the SASB standards for material sustainability disclosure and the UN Global Compact transparency and disclosure framework. He also played a key role in a number of critical investor-company initiatives to integrate sustainability in finance, including valuation of sustainability performance, ESG Investor Briefings and the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative. |
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Mary Jo Larson Mary Jo Larson provides consulting services to international, multilateral, and private sector organizations. Clients have included IFC/World Bank, UNEP, international NGOs, APICORP, and Tata Group. Areas of expertise include experiential adult learning, multi-track leadership and diplomacy, board practices, multi-stakeholder engagement, conflict transformation, developmental evaluation and transparent disclosure of ESG/sustainability. Dr. Larson is a Senior Consultant with IFC’s Corporate Governance/ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning Group. She is currently working with IFC on a platform-driven ecosystem that aims to help companies in emerging markets respond to the increasing demand for transparent, integrated ESG reporting. Career background includes Director of the Gates Foundation’s Global Women’s Leadership Program and Chief of Programming and Training for Peace Corps’ Asia and Pacific region. |
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Ralitza Germanova Ralitza is the Disclosure and Transparency Program Lead in IFC. She works with regulators, partner institutions, and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. With IFC’s global programs, she works with partners to develop knowledge and assessment tools in codes, standards, ESG, sustainability transparency, and disclosure. Ralitza is leading the Practice Group on Codes, Standards, and ESG Disclosure and Transparency and works to develop knowledge tools and solutions in these areas. She is one of the CG Scorecards Toolkit and Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit principal authors and supported the development of over 20 CG codes and scorecards. Other publications include: From Companies to Markets-Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. |
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Susan Blesener Susan Blesener is an angel investor and start-up founder, as well as the CEO of The Art of Value, a consultancy that helps companies define, manage and report on what matters most. As an investor, she works closely with budding entrepreneurs to develop innovative, investible business models and strategies. At The Art of Value, her clients include companies in Africa, Asia, and Europe that are publicly disclosing their journey to successfully create profits through the process of creating value for all stakeholders, particularly customers and employees. Based in Belgium, Susan holds advanced degrees in economics, business administration and strategy. Prior to launching The Art of Value, Susan managed disclosure and accountability practices at the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank’s private-sector investment arm, and Novo Nordisk, the world’s largest producer of insulin. |
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Vladimir Hrle Vladimir is an ESG consultant on IFC’s integrated ESG advisory program, where he works with different types of companies on establishing efficient governance structures. He is a qualified lawyer with 15 years of experience working for international and regional law firms and advising on regulatory compliance, corporate, dispute resolution and international law and matters concerning international judicial and arbitral bodies. During his practice, he has acted as an external compliance ombudsman for multinational companies and led a corporate liability project component of a landmark EU backed effort to tackle corruption. Vladimir holds an LL.M. degree from University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) and is based in Belgrade. |
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Yuliya Holodkova Yuliya is a Corporate Governance Officer with 17+ years of experience in banking, corporate governance, audit, risk-management and business development. Significant project management skills. Proven success in developing client relationships. Yuliya has been a Team lead for the two IFC advisory projects in Central Asia (2007-2018). Yuliya provides CG support to IFC portfolio companies and IS pipeline clients across CEU. Has practical knowledge in advisory projects delivery, donors’ communications, M&Es and project reporting. Country coverage included: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standard 2 |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts.IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC ESG experts, this 1-hour webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 2 (PS2) and its application in the assessment and management of E&S risks and impacts related to the protection of fundamental rights of workers. Special attention will be paid to Working Conditions and Management of Worker Relationships, including Occupational Health and Safety. Future webinars will follow providing a more in-depth overview of each of the other Performance Standards as part of the Sustainability Framework. |
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Sofie Fleischer Michaelsen Principal Social Development Specialist Sofie Michaelsen is a Principal Social Development Specialist and the Social Lead for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and Latin America Caribbean (LAC) in the Environment Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). She is currently the focal point for CEG in the implementation of PS2 and supports the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG, which focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues to create innovative solutions for our clients. She brings extensive managerial experience from managing E&S teams on complex projects and from her role as Regional Team Leader for the CEG team in Latin America. Her regional focus has been on Latin America, but she has always maintained a global exposure and worked in the oil & gas, mining, infrastructure, agribusiness, and manufacturing sectors during her 12 years at IFC. Sofie is a Danish national and holds a Master's Degree in International Development Studies and Anthropology (M.Soc.Sc.). Prior to her position at IFC, she advised European development finance institutions on social risk management and worked for a Danish consultancy firm where she was responsible for evaluating the development impact of donor aid projects. She currently lives in Belgrade with her husband and two daughters. |
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Samuel Omondi Odumba Senior Environmental Specialist Sam Omondi is a Senior Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist in the Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). He is responsible for providing global OHS technical and advisory support in new investments and portfolio projects, including designing and implementing OHS programs to support capacity building for IFC's E&S Specialists and Clients. Sam is a value-driven Process Safety Engineer and an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Leader. He brings over 15 years of global experience in managing occupational and process safety risk, transforming and influencing leadership, safety culture, and operational excellence in privately-owned companies in oil and gas, electric power generation, agribusiness, and infrastructure sectors. He is a strong advocate of mainstreaming IFC Performance Standards and Good International Industry Practices into clients’ environmental and social management systems. Prior to joining IFC, Sam worked for Tullow Oil in the United Kingdom, Ghana, and Kenya where he was the EHS Manager. Sam is a Kenyan national and holds a Master’s degree in Process Safety & Loss Prevention MSc (Eng) from The University of Sheffield (UK) and Occupational Safety and Health (MSc) from JKUAT (Kenya).. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standard 1 |
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The IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social E&S practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC ESG experts, this 1-hour webinar will provide a high-level overview of Performance Standard 1 (PS1) and how it is used to assess E&S risks and impacts and develop and implement an E&S management system to avoid, manage or mitigate those E&S risks and impacts. Special attention will be paid to stakeholder engagement, a key requirement of PS1. Future webinars will follow providing a more in-depth overview of each of the other Performance Standards as part of the Sustainability Framework. |
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Jeremy Ansell Senior Environmental Specialist Jeremy Ansell is a career environmental specialist who has worked in the world of sustainability and E&S risk management for over 25 years. Jeremy joined IFC in 2010 and has worked in investment support, with a particular focus on the agribusiness sector. He was part of the team that updated the Performance Standards, focusing on PS1. He is currently based in IFC's Dakar, Senegal office as part of the Environment Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department providing support to investments and upstream work throughout Africa. Prior to joining IFC, he worked for environmental consulting companies conducting environmental and social impact assessments and designing and implementing environmental and occupational health and safety management systems. He also worked for a multi-national business services company offering risk management services, through international standards application, training, and auditing. He holds an MPA in Natural Resources Management and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science. |
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Diana Baird Principal Social Development Specialist Diana Baird, Principal Social Development Specialist and the Department’s Social Lead, is one of IFC’s most senior Social Specialists in the Environment, Social and Governance Advice and Solutions Department (CEG). She is one of the Focal Points for CEG in the implementation of IFC’s Gender Strategy and until recently was leading the Department’s gender and gender-based violence work. In 2012 she created and currently leads the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG, which focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues to create innovative solutions for our clients. Diana has worked across all sectors and regions during her many years at IFC. She spent a decade supervising the Chad Cameroon Pipeline Project and worked on IFC’s first mining early equity project, which started in 2006 and poured its first gold in Guyana in 2015. She has worked on a power project in India, gold mining and agribusiness in Ghana, sugar cane in Nicaragua, rubber in Liberia, and oil palm in Honduras, with very challenging human rights, security, access to land, and other social and community issues to resolve. In addition, she has also worked across the infrastructure, health, education, and FI sectors globally. Diana is a Canadian national, who attended McGill University (B.A. Geography, Montreal, Canada) and the London School of Economics (M.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, London, UK). She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and twin boys. |
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Cumulative Impact Assessment & Management (CIAM) |
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Major environmental and social management challenges faced today, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, scarcity of water resources, displacement of communities and impacts on traditional local livelihoods, are often the result of cumulative impacts from a range of activities, in some cases, the most ecologically devastating environmental effects and subsequent social consequences may not result from the direct effects of a particular action, single project, or activity but from the combination of existing stresses and the individual minor effects of multiple actions over time. In 2013, IFC developed a six-step process to conduct acumulative impact assessment (CIA). Companies in emerging markets are working with specialists to identify how they contribute to cumulative impacts, other guidance on project design and implementation of measures to manage associated risks more effectively. This webinar will build understanding of the differences between project-level and basin-wide CIAs; types of cumulative impacts from hydropower projects, assess their associated risks, and discuss how to conduct a Cumulative Impact Assessment. |
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Pablo Cardinale Environmental & Social Standard Advisor (South Asia Region) Since March 1st of this year, Pablo was appointed as the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standard Advisor for the South Asia Region covering Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. He started his professional career as a field biologist collecting water quality and aquatic biology data for Environmental Impact Assessments in California while finishing his Ph.D. After graduate school, he returned home where he worked as the Environmental Manager for Procter & Gamble Latin America, based in Caracas, Venezuela, and taught Environmental Management at the top business school as part of the MBA and MPP curricula. He has been an environmental specialist for multilateral financial institutions for over 20 years, first at the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) headquartered in Caracas, then at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) in Washington DC, and for the last 12 years he was with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC and Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has focused mostly on infrastructure projects, with special emphasis in renewable energy, and has appraised and accompanied to financial close dozens of projects globally, including projects and advisory programs in Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. He was a team lead of the IFC Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessments and Management: Guidance for the Private Sector in Emerging Markets and the World Bank Group Good Practice Handbook on Environmental Flows for Hydropower Projects. He holds a B.A. in Marine Biology and Zoology, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, both from the University of California at Berkeley. |
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Kate Lazarus Senior Asia Lead for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory Kate Lazarus is IFC’s Senior Asia Lead for ESG Advisory based in Myanmar. In 2018, Kate received the 'Top 30 of IFC Individual Corporate Awards' for staff whose exceptional contributions, collaborative behaviors, and innovative thinking have consistently resulted in the achievement of significant milestones to help a sector or country reach market potential for private sector investment. She developed, manages and leads an advisory program on environmental and social (E&S) standards in the hydropower sector in Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan along with a cross-sectoral client-facing E&S program. She coordinates the ESG Landscape project which carries out upstream assessments to pave the way for private sector investment. She developed the ground-breaking industry-led Hydropower Developers’ Working Group in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Pakistan along with providing sector-level advice to governments and intermediaries. She also co-ordinates the Powered by Women initiative in Myanmar and Nepal, to promote gender diversity in the renewables sector. Her expertise focuses on water governance, multi-stakeholder dialogues, renewables, CIAs, human rights/conflict, environmental flows, and benefit sharing. She has lived and worked in Asia for 20 years. She is the editor of the book Water Rights and Social Justice in the Mekong; lead author of the chapter on Negotiating Flows in the Mekong in the book Politics and Development in a Transboundary Watershed: The Case of the Lower Mekong Basin. |
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Dzenan Malovic Energy Specialist Dzenan Malovic, has 15 years of experience as an energy sector professional, working on various focus areas including the water-energy nexus, RE technologies, power generation, power system planning, energy sector reforms, grid integration of VREs, and power markets. Since joining IFC in 2011, he was exposed to a well-balanced combination of diverse engagements on advisory, technical assistance, lending and PPP projects across the World Bank Group, with main responsibilities including business development focused on mobilizing clean energy investments, managing complex market-level tasks and activities with individual project sponsors and power sector utilities, and supporting the policy dialog on strategic energy sector issues. Over the last ten years, Dzenan has worked on projects in 22 countries, in multiple regions of World Bank Group operations. Dzenan is based in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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Role of the Biodiversity Management and Action Plan for Hydropower Sustainability |
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Development projects such as hydropower projects are encouraged to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) and/or a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to detail their approach to mitigating project impacts on biodiversity. These plans facilitate implementation by the developer, contractors and partners. This webinar will present a model BMP to showcase mitigation options that follow the mitigation hierarchy to avoid and reduce impacts on biodiversity during construction and operation phases. Approaches for restoring and offsetting biodiversity through a BAP will also be discussed. A case study of the Upper Trishuli-1 HPP BMP will be presented. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Leeanne Alonso Biodiversity Consultant Leeanne Alonso earned a PhD in Biology from Harvard University with focus on biodiversity and tropical ecology. As Director of the Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) from 1998-2011 and Director of Global Biodiversity Exploration at Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) from 2011-2016, Leeanne organized and led over 45 field expeditions to document biodiversity in remote parts of the world. Currently, Leeanne is a Biodiversity Consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she evaluates development projects for compliance with international lender's environmental standards, particularly IFC's Performance Standard 6, and advises on biodiversity management. Leeanne is also a founder of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) which aims to connect and support women to enhance women’s leadership in nature conservation. |
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Mr. Dipesh Bista Senior Manager – Environment and Social Dipesh Bista is a graduate in M Eng. with specialization in Ecology and Environment and has more than 17 years' experience as an environmental and social specialist in natural resource management and renewable energy sector projects. He has 12+ years of experience in hydropower projects in planning, development and execution of environmental and social safeguards. Dipesh also has ample experience in planning and execution of environmental and social safeguard studies and working with E&S policy instruments of the international financing institutions. Currently he is the Senior Manager – Environment and Social with Nepal Water and Energy Development Company (NWEDC) where he manages the Sustainability and External Relations portfolio of the organization. The portfolio demands planning and execution of E&S studies, stakeholder engagement and management, and construction EHS monitoring |
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Panel Discussion: Designing Fish Passage for Golden Mahseer, Is it Possible? |
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A fish ladder is often proposed as a mitigation measure for addressing hydropower project impacts on fish migration. A fish ladder is a structure that enables fish to pass over and across the dam weir to continue their migration upstream. In Nepal, the globally Endangered Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is a long-range migratory fish that occurs from the lowlands to about 1000 m elevation in the Himalayas. The presence of hydropower dams on many of Nepal’s rivers blocks this fish species’ migration in many river basins. While much of the biology of this fish is known, it remains unclear whether it has sucient ability to jump through a fish ladder and if it can, what type of fish ladder would be most appropriate for this species. If a fish ladder is successful, it’s also important to ensure safe downstream fish passage for larvae and fry. This webinar will feature a panel of experts on fish ladder design and on the Golden Mahseer to lead participants in what will certainly be a lively discussion of a fish ladder design for this important fish species as well as options for downstream fish passage |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Tek Bahadur Gurung Adjunct Professor (Aquaculture) Dr. Tek Bahadur Gurung is currently an Adjunct Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences at Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. He has served as Executive Director of Nepal Agricultural Research Council. Dr. Gurung has spent a long time studying the migratory fish, Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora), and successfully spawned in-situ upstream migrating Mahseer. Dr. Gurung developed the technology for pond-rearing Golden Mahseer, which is now a common method for breeding Mahseer in Nepal. His team recently developed a curriculum for Master level Hydropower Engineers for fish-passage sciences. He is the winner of an international "Ibaraki Kasumigaura Prize" (2006) and "Nabil Science and Technology Prize" (2018) oered by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technologies (NAST). Recently he has received the ‘Life Time Award” (2020) from the Asian Biological Research Foundation Prayagraj, India. |
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Dr. Toby Coe Technical Director Dr. Toby Coe is the Technical Director at Fishtek Consulting, a fisheries consultancy based in the UK. He has a background in fisheries science and has worked on a wide range of projects involving fisheries monitoring, data analyses and modelling, and fish pass design. He has a high degree of expertise and knowledge in the applied field of fisheries management as well as specific knowledge of fish migration, quantitative survey design and analysis, ‘ecological flows’, fish pass hydraulics, design and engineering and EIAs. His previous work has included an involvement in the design of over 100 fish passes, including work on several projects in Laos and Nepal and assessments of swimming ability in wild-caught Mekong fish species. He has designed fish passes for a very wide range of fish species, including those found in Nepal, and has a strong appreciation of the need to balance the (often competing) requirements of fish passage eciency, energy generation, capital expenditure and long-term maintenance within the development of hydropower schemes. |
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Dr. Bhawna Dhawan PhD Research Scholar Dr. Bhawna Dhawan is a PhD Research Scholar at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India. She is currently working on Monitoring Freshwater Fish populations in selected Indian Landscapes with reference to changing climatic variables as a researcher at the Wildlife Institute of India. Bhawna has conducted research on the Ecology and Migratory Patterns of the Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora, in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya using radio telemetry techniques. Bhawna earned a B.Sc. Zoology (H), M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Zoology from Hindu College, University of Delhi, India. |
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Dr. J. A. Johnson Scientist Dr. J. A. Johnson received a PhD degree in Zoology in 2000 from Manonmanam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu where he studied diversity and ecological structure of fishes in Western Ghats streams, India. His research includes species distribution patterns, community structure, spatio-temporal changes in resource (food and space) partition among co-existing species, conservation of rare and threatened species, and eects of human disturbance on aquatic resources. He described three new species of fishes from Western Ghats, India. Currently, he is working on the ecology of rare and threatened fishes of India covering dierent landscapes (Himalaya, Western Ghats, Eastern Himalaya, Central India and Andaman Nicobar Islands) under the India-Long-term Ecological Programme. He is interested in understanding resource partitioning, estimation of e-flow, aquatic habitat monitoring and aquatic conservation. |
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Mr. Halvard Kaasa Environmental Expert and Scientific Executive Manager Halvard Kaasa is a globally renowned expert on aquatic ecology, fish biology and water quality with extensive overseas experience. He has more than 40 years of experience in environmental impact assessment, preparation of maneuver regimes, environmental sustainability programs, design of fish ladders, environmental flow and mitigating measures in regulated rivers. In addition, he has close to 27 years of experience working with river ecology in Nepal, including working on EIA, CIA, EMP and fish sampling methodology. Within Nepal and around the globe, Halvard has designed mitigation measures in regulated rivers and has designed species adapted fish ladders that include attraction methods. |
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Dr. Adrian Pinder Fish Ecologist Dr. Adrian Pinder is a fish ecologist based at Bournemouth University, UK. With a career spanning 30 years, he has published extensively on a broad range of disciplines including fish migration and early life history studies. Over the last decade, Adrian has dedicated his conservation research eorts towards the mahseers (Tor spp.) of South and Southeast Asia. He recently led the publication of Mahseer Fishes of the World and in 2020 was awarded a PhD in mahseer conservation. Since 2012, Adrian has been a driving force of the Mahseer Trust, where he currently serves as Chair. |
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Ms. Anjana Shrestha Fish Taxonomist Anjana Shrestha has a MSc. in Zoology, majoring in Fish and Fisheries from the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She is currently working as a Fish Taxonomist at the National Fishery Research Centre (NFRC) and a Part time Zoology teacher at Amrit Science Campus. Anjana has conducted survey/research on the Seti Gandaki River to assess fish diversity and has worked in the rivers of the mid and far western regions of Nepal (Karnali and its tributary rivers) with the USAID PAANI project. Anjana participated in the development of the Trishuli Assessment Tool and the field test Survey. |
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Dr. Umesh Singh Senior Research Engineer Dr. Umesh Singh obtained a joint doctoral degree in River Science at the University of Trento, Italy and Queen Mary University of London, UK and a master’s degree in Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development at UNESCO-IHE, the Netherlands. He has over 10 years of experience in conducting various studies of water resources projects and more than 8 years of experience in fluvial geomorphology and sediment related research (both applied and fundamental). He is currently working as a Senior Research Engineer at Hydro Lab Pvt. Ltd where he is mainly responsible for hydraulics and sedimentation modelling of headworks of water resources projects in Nepal. His research interests cover the areas of fluvial geomorphology, environmental hydraulics, and application of physical and numerical modelling in hydraulic and sediment related problems. Dr. Singh is also a visiting faculty at the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University where he delivers lectures in the MSc program in hydropower engineering. He was also involved in preparing the syllabus of Fish Passage Engineering for implementation in Water Engineering programs at universities in Nepal. |
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Overview of IFC Performance Standards |
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IFC Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management. It promotes sound environmental and social practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC’s Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Larissa Luy Manager, CES-E&S Policy & Risk, E&S Risk Management, Larissa Luy is a sustainability expert who brings a track record of success in E&S risk management, while promoting collaboration and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. Larissa joined IFC in 2005 and worked in investments, with a particular focus on the agribusiness, infrastructure and energy sectors. She was also part of the core team developing the IFC Sustainability Framework and also managed the ILO/IFC Better Work Program. Currently she works in the E&S Risk and Policy department managing the team overseeing IFC’s E&S risk management and Stakeholder Grievance response functions. Prior to joining IFC, she worked for Levi Strauss in Brussels managing environmental and social issues in Levi’s supply chain. She holds a MSc. in Industrial Engineering and Environmental Management and a MA. in International Relations. |
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Raymi Beltran Principal Environmental Specialist Raymi Beltran is a Principal Environmental Specialist in IFC’s Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Department and the Global E&S Sector Lead for Energy and Mining. Raymi has broad experience in the application of IFC’s Performance Standards and WBG EHS Guidelines in a number of sectors including oil, gas and mining, infrastructure and renewables in Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Asia. As part of his current position, Raymi works closely with World Bank Group specialists and teams to support private sector companies in managing their ESG risks in line with Good International Industry Practices (GIIPs). |
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Rethinking Hatcheries: A Review of the Costs and Benefits |
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The webinar will focus on the risks (ecological, demographic, and genetic) associated with stocking cultured fish – what they are and how to minimize them and a Review of costs and benefits of fish hatcheries and relevant mitigation measures. The key speakers at the webinar are renowned fish specialists with several years of experience in fish conservation, fish reproductive ecology and sustainable fisheries management. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Julie Claussen Director of Operations Julie Claussen is a research biologist that has worked in the areas of sustainable fisheries management, best practices for recreational fisheries, and the conservation of native fish populations. In addition, she is a trained science communicator and has received professional society awards for her efforts in promoting fisheries science to stakeholders. Julie was one of the founding partners of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF), where she now serves as Director of Operations. Through FCF, Julie has worked on projects in the United States and abroad (most recently in the Bahamas, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand) to further their sustainable fisheries efforts. |
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Dr. David P. Philipp Chair, Board of Directors David Philipp’s research spans both marine and freshwater ecosystems with a focus on fisheries conservation, reproductive ecology, and the effects of angling on natural fish populations. His findings have helped to elucidate the negative consequences of hatchery-based supplemental stocking programs on native fisheries. Dr. Philipp has over 200 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and has served on a number of national committees including the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Genetics Panel for Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program. David was instrumental in the formation of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, where he is currently the Chair of their Board of Directors. |
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Environmental Flows (E-Flows) |
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Environmental Flows (E-Flows) are the central components of a functioning watershed. E-Flows encompass the quantity, frequency, timing, quality of water, sediment flows necessary to sustain freshwater ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depends on these ecosystems. Development of Hydropower projects, irrigation projects, and sand/gravel mining activities etc. without a proper consideration on E-flows may trigger inevitable impacts on biodiversity and ecological processes within the river system. The webinar shall briefly introduce E-Flow concepts and guide participants on holistic approaches appropriate for low impact to high impact hydro development projects. The two presentations will showcase good local and international examples of E-Flow models used to develop mitigation actions, protect river ecology, provide socio-economic benefits (e.g., fishing, sediment mining), and to monitor project impacts over time to achieve sustainable operation. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Cate Brown Fresh Water Ecologist Professor Cate Brown has a PhD in Freshwater Ecology and specialises in understanding the links between aquatic ecosystem functioning and flows of water, sediments and biota. She was the EFlows specialist for the Gulpur Hydropower Project (biophysical and social) and has been EFlows advisor to Hagler Bailly Pakistan for ten years. She was also leader for the EFlows assessments for, inter alia, the Olifants-Doorn (South Africa), Breede (South Africa), Outeniqua (South Africa), Usutu and Mthlatuze (South Africa), Pangani (Tanzania), Okavango (Angola, Namibia, Botswana), Cunene (Namibia, Angola), Zambezi (Mozambique), Kafue (Zambia), Maputo (Mozambique), Mekong (Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), Nile (Sudan), Kagera (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda), Neelum-Jhelum (Pakistan) rivers and basins. Cate is author of >38 publications on ecosystem-based river management in international scientific journals, and the lead author of over 200 EFlows related reports for clients. More recently, she has worked to develop the sediment mining plan of Gulpur Hydropower Project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). |
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Vaqar Zakaria Managing Director Mr. Zakaria is the Managing Director of Hagler Bailly Pakistan where he leads the environmental practice of the company. He is the founding member and director of the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, and a member of the Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife management boards. He holds a bachelors and masters degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Zakaria has worked on a large number of environmental and social impact assessments for hydropower projects including the Gulpur, Karot, Kohala, Balakot, Azad Pattan, Athmuqqam, Arkari Gol and Mahl Hydropower projects. This included an Environmental Flow Assessment to evaluate the impact of dierent flow regimes on selected environment and social indicators likely to be impacted by hydropower development. He also carried out identification and evaluation of ecosystem services for the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project and Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project, associated with addressing environmental flow requirements. |
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Novel Approaches to Tracking Fish Movements |
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Studying and tracking the movements of fish in the fast-flowing waters of the Himalayas is challenging. Tracking the routes of migratory fish such as the Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora), Snow Trout (Schizothorax richardsonii), and other fish species helps us locate their spawning and overwintering sites to determine important sites for their conservation. This webinar will present the novel technique of radio telemetry in which radio transmitters are surgically inserted into the fish and their movement is tracked using receivers placed on the riverbanks. This webinar will explain the science, objectives and expected outcomes of fish telemetry and provide a brief description of successful telemetry projects, for instance in Bhutan. The webinar will also present an overview of other approaches to tracking and monitoring fish movement, which can be applied to evaluating how many fish use fish passages on hydropower projects. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Julie Claussen Director of Operations Julie Claussen is a research biologist that has worked in the areas of sustainable fisheries management, best practices for recreational fisheries, and the conservation of native fish populations. In addition, she is a trained science communicator and has received professional society awards for her efforts in promoting fisheries science to stakeholders. Julie was one of the founding partners of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF), where she now serves as Director of Operations. Through FCF, Julie has worked on projects in the United States and abroad (most recently in the Bahamas, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand) to further their sustainable fisheries efforts. |
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Dr. David P. Philipp Chair, Board of Directors David Philipp’s research spans both marine and freshwater ecosystems with a focus on fisheries conservation, reproductive ecology, and the effects of angling on natural fish populations. His findings have helped to elucidate the consequences of hatchery-based supplemental stocking programs on native fisheries. Dr. Philipp has over 200 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and has served on several national committees including the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Genetics Panel for Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program. David was instrumental in the formation of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, where he is currently the Chair of their Board of Directors. |
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Data analysis for long-term monitoring |
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Data analysis for biodiversity data collected is as, or even more, important than the field methods used to collect the data. Aquatic biodiversity data should be analyzed to answer specific questions related to status of biodiversity and changes over time. The study design and analysis are key to producing data that will be useful to guide watershed management and biodiversity mitigation. This webinar will cover how to effectively design a field study to produce the most appropriate data, and the selection of indicators and metrics that can be compared between sites and over time. A statistical tool will be presented to assess changes in fish species richness and abundance over time for long-term monitoring. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Leeanne Alonso Biodiversity Consultant Leeanne Alonso earned a PhD in Biology from Harvard University with focus on biodiversity and tropical ecology. As Director of the Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) from 1998-2011 and Director of Global Biodiversity Exploration at Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) from 2011-2016, Leeanne organized and led over 45 field expeditions to document biodiversity in remote parts of the world. Currently, Leeanne is a Biodiversity Consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she evaluates development projects for compliance with international lender's environmental standards, particularly IFC's Performance Standard 6, and advises on biodiversity management. Leeanne is also a founder of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) which aims to connect and support women to enhance women’s leadership in nature conservation. |
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Mr. Jonathan Levin PhD Candidate Jonathan Levin is a PhD Candidate in the field of Ecohydrology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. His interests include aquatic ecology, biostatistics and remote sensing. His current PhD research focuses on understanding the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems in response to key stressors in South African river catchments. |
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Himalayan fish identification |
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Identification of fishes in Himalayan rivers can be challenging. There are many resources and identification publications but many of these are outdated due to more recent taxonomic revisions. This webinar will focus on discussing the most recent and update to date references for identification of Himalayan fish species and will review the key characteristics used in fish identification. The webinar will also cover best management practices in taxonomy and the ‘dos and don’ts of fish identification. The Nepali perspective on fish taxonomy will also be presented. Discussion among participants will be encouraged to highlight which references are currently being used in Nepal and their validity. |
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Dr.Rajeev Raghavan Assistant Professor Rajeev Raghavan is an Assistant Professor at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India, where his team studies fundamental and applied aspects of tropical aquatic biodiversity, focusing on systematics, evolutionary biogeography and conservation of freshwater fishes. His team has discovered and described 18 new species, three new genera, two enigmatic families of freshwater fish, and a unique new genus and species of blind subterranean shrimp. A new species of snakehead fish, Channa rara was named in honor of Rajeev. Since 2012, Rajeev has been closely involved with the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is currently the South Asia Coordinator of the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, and also the IUCN Freshwater Fish Red List Authority Coordinator for Asia and Oceania. Rajeev has more than 160 publications (~2000 citations) in leading journals in fisheries science and biodiversity conservation. |
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Ms. Asha Rayamajhi Researcher Asha Rayamajhi has a Master of Aquaculture from The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia with a special focus on fish pathology. She has an over 20 years of experience as a researcher in the National Fishery Research Centre (NFRC), Godawari Nepal. Her research work integrates fish biodiversity and fish pathology and has focused on preparing an inventory of fish fauna collected from rivers, streams and wetlands of Nepal and integrating them into the fish museum of the National Fishery Research Centre (NFRC). She is a Chief, Scientist-2 at NFRC under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). She has published more than 30 research articles in proceedings and journals. She identified two novel fish species (Pseudolaguvia nepalensis, a new catfish and Garra nepalensis sp. nov. and a new record (Pseudolaguvia nubila) from streams of Nepal. |
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Macroinvertebrate Sampling |
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In addition to fish, macroinvertebrates and periphyton (benthic algae) are important components of aquatic biodiversity to sample and monitor for ESIAs since they form the basis of the food aquatic food chain and also serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Aquatic scientists at Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University have developed a field method specifically for Nepal to sample and monitor macroinvertebrates. They will present this method during the webinar, and also discuss why these organisms are important and how the data can be used for the ESIA and for long-term monitoring. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr.Ram Devi Tachamo Shah Researcher Ram Devi Tachamo Shah holds a PhD in Natural Sciences from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. She is a researcher at the Aquatic Ecology Centre, Kathmandu University in Nepal and works in the field of Freshwater Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Climate Change. She has over 15 years of research experience in Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, China, Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. She is the recipient of TWAS Young A_liateship 2020 award for Central and South Asia. She was awarded the Science and Technology Youth Award in 2016 by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Government of Nepal. She has published more than three dozen research articles in peer reviewed journals, chapters and two books |
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Dr. Deep Narayan Shah Assistant Professor Deep Narayan Shah is a PhD in Natural Science from Goethe University, Germany with over 15 years of experience as a researcher, manager, and consultant largely in Nepal and China, and also in India and Germany. He has a Master's degree in Environmental Science with a special focus on water resource management and planning. Deep is particularly interested in Water Resource Management, Freshwater Ecology, Aquatic Biodiversity, and Climate Change research. Dr. Shah is an Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He was awarded the Science and Technology Youth Award in 2017 from the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Government of Nepal. He has published more than three dozen research articles in peer-reviewed journals, several book chapters, and 5 books. |
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Training on Environmental DNA (eDNA) |
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Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a novel method for sampling biodiversity through analysis of genetic material (DNA). eDNA sampling for the aquatic environment involves taking water samples and then the DNA in the sample that has come from aquatic organisms (fish, macroinvertebrates, plankton, etc.), and then match the DNA to a global DNA database to identify species in the water. This methodology can detect species that are difficult to detect with other field methods. The method is fairly simple to implement in the field, but requires equipment for genetic analysis, and also expertise in data analysis. The process for implementing eDNA sampling will be presented and the pros and cons discussed with participants. A standardized global protocol as well as a case study from the Trishuli River will be presented. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Kat Bruce Co-Founder: Nature Metrics Kat trained as a tropical ecologist, making many research trips to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador and Peru. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Wlidlife Ecology from Anglia Ruskin University, a Masters in Entomology from Imperial College, and a PhD in molecular biodiversity assessment from the University of East Anglia. After completing her PhD in 2014, Kat set up NatureMetrics to bridge the gap between the powerful molecular tools being developed in the research world and the environmental managers who could benefit from their use. Her particular interest lies in how to bring together the worlds of research, industry and policy to drive forward advances in our capacity to monitor the natural world. Through her work in the EU COST Action project DNAqua-net, she works to establish best practice for the use of DNA monitoring tools for aquatic biomonitoring. |
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Mr. Dibesh Karmacharya CEO: Center for Molecular Dynamics Dibesh Karmacharya has a Conservation Biology degree from Wayne State College, USA and a PhD in Conservation and Microbiome Genetics from Griffith University, Australia. He worked in the US for Caliper Lifesciences and GE Healthcare Lifesciences. He founded the CMDN, a wildlife genetics and clinical epidemiology research center ofwhich he is the Chairman and Executive Director. He also founded Intrepid Nepal Pvt. Ltd., a molecular diagnostics-based Biotechnology Company, and Intrepid Cancer Diagnostics, a leading cancer diagnostic laboratory. He is Founder/Director of BIOVAC Nepal, a vaccine research, development and manufacturing company. He has helped to build Nepal’s first genetic database of wild tigers through the Nepal Tiger Genome Project and is developing eDNA technology for aquatic biodiversity assessment. |
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Environmental and Social Management System |
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Over the past few decades, the field of environmental and social performance has gone through a transition from an audit-focused approach to a more consultancy-based model. IFC PS applies to all projects that have environmental and social risks and impacts. An eective environmental and social management systems (ESMS) helps companies, clients and organizations to integrate plans and standards into their core operations—so they can anticipate environmental and social risks posed by their business activities, an in-depth process of risks and impacts assessment to avoid, minimize, and compensate for such impacts as necessary. Recorded webinar: No Recording available |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Irene Angeletti Associate Environmental and Social Development Specialist Irene Angeletti spent ten years working in rural development across Africa and South America, where she focused on the role of the private sector in the development process through the creation of jobs and innovative sustainable products. In 2012, Irene joined IFC to work in the development of training material and the delivery of technical assistance to companies for the implementation of management systems to address their environmental and social risks. Currently, Irene works as Environmental and Social Specialist conducting due diligences of prospective IFC clients. She holds a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale University, a degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in forestry. |
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Valentina Paskalova Environmental & Social Advisory Consultant Valentina Paskalova is a Project Manager overseeing environmental and social advisory projects in Latin America and Caribbean, and East Europe and Central Asia. Valentina has over 23 years private sector development experience, out of which over 19 years in IFC and World Bank managing advisory projects related to food safety and E&S risk management. She currently manages E&S advisory projects assisting clients in agribusiness, manufacturing, and services sectors in implementation of Environmental and Social Management System, Occupational Health and Safety, supply chain management, aligned with IFC's performance standards. Valentina holds Master of Business Administration degree from University of Sheffield in UK, and Finance and Banking bachelor's degree from University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Macedonia. |
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Training on Electrofishing |
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Electrofishing is an effective and productive field method for documenting fish species in shallow, slow flowing water when implemented properly. Adequate training and safety measures are important in order to operate the electro-fisher safely and efficiently. This webinar will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of electrofishing, particularly in the Nepal context and in Himalayan rivers, and will detail the operation and use of the equipment in the field. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Mr. William (Bill) Beaumont Electric Fishing Technical Services Ltd. William (Bill) Beaumont have worked as a fish ecologist for over 45 years working for several research charities and government organisations. He is currently a part-time senior fisheries scientist with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, and also runs his own consultancy (Electric Fishing Technical Services Ltd,). He is based in the UK, but has worked in many other countries. His research has covered the e_ects of a_orestation and acidification on upland trout populations, studies on lowland pike home range, monitoring Atlantic salmon populations and the theory and methods of electric fishing. His specialism is in using and developing the technology, methods and techniques used for fish ecological research, including the use of telemetry and electric fishing. For fun and relaxation, he helps on the farm where he lives, has taken a slow boat up the Amazon, and motor-biked across Tibet. |
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Trishuli Assessment Tool: A Standardized Field Approach To Aquatic Monitoring |
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Led by the IFC, the Trishuli Assessment Tool was recently developed (2019) by a group of international and Nepalese aquatic scientists to improve fish sampling for Hydropower ESIAs. Information is sparse on fish distributions, migratory patterns and population sizes for Himalayan rivers, and sampling is challenging. The Trishuli Assessment Tool promotes use of the innovative methods of electrofishing and environmental DNA to better detect fish. The Tool also includes specific field methods for target indicator fish species including Snow Trout (asala) and the Golden Mahaser (sahar), as well as macroinvertebrates and periphyton. The Tool is also adapted for other basins in Nepal to encourage a higher standard for aquatic sampling and monitoring throughout Nepal. The Tool will be presented and discussed during this webinar, with the justification and use of each sampling method explained. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Leeanne Alonso Biodiversity Consultant Leeanne Alonso earned a PhD in Biology from Harvard University with focus on biodiversity and tropical ecology. As Director of the Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) from 1998-2011 and Director of Global Biodiversity Exploration at Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) from 2011-2016, Leeanne organized and led over 45 field expeditions to document biodiversity in remote parts of the world. Currently, Leeanne is a Biodiversity Consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she evaluates development projects for compliance with international lender's environmental standards, particularly IFC's Performance Standard 6, and advises on biodiversity management. Leeanne is also a founder of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) which aims to connect and support women to enhance women’s leadership in nature conservation. |
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Dr. Deep Narayan Shah Assistant Professor Deep Narayan Shah is a PhD in Natural Science from Goethe University, Germany with over 15 years of experience as a researcher, manager, and consultant largely in Nepal and China, and also in India and Germany. He has a Master's degree in Environmental Science with a special focus on water resource management and planning. Deep is particularly interested in Water Resource Management, Freshwater Ecology, Aquatic Biodiversity, and Climate Change research. Dr. Shah is an Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He was awarded the Science and Technology Youth Award in 2017 from the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Government of Nepal. He has published more than three dozen research articles in peer-reviewed journals, several book chapters, and 5 books. |
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International Good Practice for Biodiversity Mitigation for Hydropower Projects |
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Hydropower is an important source of electricity for Nepal. However, hydropower projects (HPPs) inevitably have negative impacts on the aquatic species and habitats of the Himalayan rivers in which the HPPs are located. Dams change the flow, water temperature, sediment transport and aquatic habitats, and block fish migration. HPPs can also have severe impacts on the natural resources and livelihoods of the people living in the watershed. Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) for mitigating HPP impacts from around the world show examples of design and successfully implemented engineering and ecological solutions to reduce HPP impacts on aquatic biodiversity, while maintaining electricity production; including fish passage (ladders, lifts, bypass channels), EFlows, modifying and regulating peaking regimes, river bed restoration, as well as guidance systems and barriers for downstream fish migration. In this webinar, examples of GIIP for reducing impacts of hydropower on aquatic biodiversity will be presented and their applicability for Nepal will be discussed with participants. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Atle Harby Research Scientist Atle Harby has 25 years of experience in research with emphasis on environmental impacts of hydropower and river regulations, water resources problems, climate change impacts and energy storage technologies. He is now involved in and leading research projects related to hydropower and the environment both nationally and internationally. |
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Ana Adeva Bustos Water Resources team Ana Adeva Bustos has earned a PhD from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. She has been working on tools and methods to support a more environmental and sustainable management in Norwegian regulated rivers. |
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Fareeha Irfan Ovais Technical Manager Fareeha Irfan Ovais has worked on several environmental assessments for hydropower projects in the Jhelum-Poonch basin in Pakistan. She developed Biodiversity Action Plans for hydropower projects including for Gulpur, Mahl, Azad Pattan and Balakot Hydropower projects. She has also worked on developing management plans for protected areas in the country. |
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Cumulative Impact Assessment of the Trishuli River Basin |
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The Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management: Hydropower Development in the Trishuli River Basin, Nepal was undertaken by IFC to strengthen understanding of environmental and social impacts of hydropower development that go beyond individual project-level impact assessments by considering basin-wide understanding of potential cumulative impacts in the Trishuli River Basin (TRB). The CIA is an outcome of multi-stakeholder consultations, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and strategic workshops from 2017 to 2019. During this webinar, the findings from the report will be presented followed by a discussion of how the results can be used to promote sustainable development in the basin. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Pablo Cardinale Principal Environmental Specialist Pablo Cardinale is a Principal Environmental Specialist at IFC with over 20 years of experience managing environmental and social risk in infrastructure projects, with special emphasis on renewable energy. He previously worked as a Senior Environmental Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. He is the lead environmental specialist for the Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower Project in Nepal. He is the co-author of the IFC Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessments and Management: Guidance for the Private Sector in Emerging Markets and the World Bank Group Good Practice Handbook on Environmental Flows for Hydropower Projects. |
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Leeanne Alonso Biodiversity Consultant Leeanne Alonso earned a PhD in Biology from Harvard University with focus on biodiversity and tropical ecology. As Director of the Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) from 1998-2011 and Director of Global Biodiversity Exploration at Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) from 2011-2016, Leeanne organized and led over 45 field expeditions to document biodiversity in remote parts of the world. Currently, Leeanne is a Biodiversity Consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she evaluates development projects for compliance with international lender's environmental standards, particularly IFC's Performance Standard 6, and advises on biodiversity management. Leeanne is also a founder of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) which aims to connect and support women to enhance women’s leadership in nature conservation. |
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Kate Lazarus Senior Asia Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory Lead Kate Lazarus is IFC’s Asia Lead for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory based in Thailand. In 2018, Kate received the 'Top 30 of IFC Individual Corporate Awards' for staff whose exceptional contributions, collaborative behaviors, and innovative thinking have consistently resulted in the achievement of significant milestones to help a sector or country reach market potential for private sector investment. She developed, manages and leads an advisory program on environmental and social (E&S) standards in the hydropower sector in Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. She coordinates the ESG Landscape project and the Powered by Women initiative in Myanmar and Nepal to promote gender diversity in the renewable sector. Lived and worked in Asia for 20 years. She is the editor of the book Water Rights and Social Justice in the Mekong. Kate is also a mentor for Girls in Tech Nepal. |
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COVID-19 Interim Guidance focused on Supporting Workers and Preventing and Managing Health Risks in the workplace |
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The COVID-19 pandemic presents many challenges to employers globally. These challenges include providing safe working conditions at workplaces to ensure business continuity during this pandemic. The aim of this webinar is to share Interim Advice and regional examples to help clients and stakeholders rapidly identify measures for preventing and managing outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace and for responding to community COVID-19 infections. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Bram Woltjer Health and Safety Specialist Bram is an international health and safety specialist with over 20 years of experience managing safe work on large projects during construction and operation across Asia. He currently works with the IFC across Asia to assess capacity and practices of IFC investment projects during appraisal, construction and operational phases, working with IFC’s clients to enhance their OHS standards. He has been responsible for development and implementation of OHS management systems and emergency response systems to ensure compliance with major risk legislation. He has trained and managed HSE teams to implement international health and safety standards in challenging projects. He is the co-author of the IFC interim advice for preventing COVID-19 infection at the workplace and works with companies to develop COVID 19 preparedness and response plans. |
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Lopa Rahman Corporate Governance Officer Ms. Lopa Rahman, Corporate Governance Officer with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), manages corporate governance and more recently ESG projects in South Asia. She is currently the Team Task Leader for Corporate Governance for Women Project in Sri Lanka which aims to increase the number of women on boards and in senior management. In addition, she has extensive experience in conducing corporate governance risk assessments for equity and credit appraisals for IFC investment projects originating in the region. She has previously worked as Brand Manager in British American Tobacco Bangladesh and as Project Director in Bangladesh Enterprise Institute. Lopa has a BBA degree from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka, and an advanced degree in Management Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) UK. |
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Dr. Mirza Munir Ahmed Health, Safety and Environment Consultant Dr. Mirza Munir Ahmed holds a PhD with majors in Health Safety & Environment 9 years ago from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia. He is an Industry Professional with 19 years of Professional Experience in Managing Health Safety & Environment aspects in various International reputed organizations around the globe. He played vital role during COVID 19 pandemic for smooth operation and construction of power plants. He developed and practically implemented COVID 19 guidelines, procedures and work instructions during plants construction and operation phase. His expertise includes Incident Investigations, Development of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manuals & Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Environmental Audits, Hazard Operability (HAZOP) Studies, and Process Safety Management (PSM) Audits, Fire & Safety Audits, compliance with NFPA codes, and assistance for International Standards Organization (ISO) Certifications. |
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EAP ESG Advisory Webinar series #4, Disclosure and Transparency: Myanmar Experimental Adult Learning Training of Trainers |
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As part of the IFC - UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative collaboration, on December 17, the IFC East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory Program organized in Myanmar the first-ever country-based Experiential Adult Learning training-of-trainers (TOT) program on ESG Disclosure and Transparency (D&T). The training focused on showcasing different techniques for delivering interactive virtual training on disclosure and transparency with a smaller group of engaged trainers and adjusting to technical difficulties and time constraints during trainings in such formats. Pre-COVID such TOTs used to be delivered in 2 to 3 days set up. The purpose of this training-of-trainers is to enhance the D&T knowledge and experiential adult learning capacities of facilitators, faculty and training managers in Myanmar. Twenty-two participants with a strong interest in helping companies attract capital and build resilient enterprises developed the knowledge base and skill sets needed to design and facilitate D&T programs that reflect international best practices adapted to emerging technologies and regional priorities. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Anar Aliyev Anar Aliyev is the Corporate Governance Officer for the East Asia & Pacific Corporate Governance Advisory Program and leads IFC CG advisory activities in Myanmar. Prior to joining IFC, Anar was in private practice in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Anar has over 15 years professional experience in consulting and law spent in the emerging markets of the Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union and East Asia/Pacific. Anar assisted companies in these jurisdictions implement international best practices of corporate governance and advised on draft legislation/regulations in eight separate countries. |
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Anne E. Molyneux Anne Molyneux, is a Director of CS International, a global consulting firm. She is an experienced director and former trustee of pension funds and is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow). She advises in corporate governance and corporate reporting, and on banking and securities regulations. She is Vice-Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – the global investor network with some $54 trillion under investment. She is a member of the Integrated Reporting Advisory Council. Mrs. Molyneux has developed public and private sector corporate governance practices, including for companies, banks, regulators and stock exchanges. Her work includes the development of corporate governance codes and scorecards, board policies and practices, board and committee charters. She undertakes board evaluations, audit committee advice and support, scorecards for national and company assessments and capacity building in sustainability and corporate governance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to private company and state-owned enterprise clients, her clients include the OECD, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She has wide experience in Asia, South Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. She is a business representative and contributor to the OECD Corporate Governance Steering Committee. She is an invited member of the OECD Asian Corporate Governance Roundtable. She is a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Consultative Advisory Group, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Consultative Advisory Group and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). She is a fellow member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master of Management and is a former member of the IFRS Advisory Council. |
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Bistra Boeva Prof. Boeva is a professor at the “International Economic Relations and Business” Department at the University for National and World Economic Studies (Sofia, Bulgaria). She holds a postdoctoral degree in international business and master’s degree in law. Prof. Bistra Boeva teaches courses in International Management, International project management and Corporate Governance Master’s Program in Bulgaria and abroad. Prof. Bistra Boeva chaired the Supervisory Board of the Privatization Fund Kaliman (1996-1997) and held of Board of Directorships in of Bulgarian companies. For four years (1997-2001) she was a Commissioner at the Bulgarian National Securities and Stock Exchange Commission. Currently Prof. Boeva is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group (Global Forum for Corporate Governance-IFC/ World Bank). In her capacity as a PSAG member, she works on projects in ECA countries. Between 2008 and 2011 she was appointed as a member of the European Forum for Corporate Governance established by European Commission. Her publications are on corporate governance issues, international management and international project management. |
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Erik P.M. Vermeulen Erik’s work can be broken down into four categories. Erik is a Professor of Business and Financial Law and the Director of the International Business Law program at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. He teaches business organizations and governance, law and technology, and business innovation and finance at Tilburg Law School, TIAS School for Business and Society, and at other universities around the world. Erik also offers classes specifically tailored to an online audience. His research, including chapters of his academic books, can be downloaded from the Social Science Research Network. Erik has appeared at numerous conferences as a featured or keynote speaker. Erik works at the intersection of the academic and corporate worlds. He is a Senior Legal Counsel at Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting). He works on corporate matters, mergers & acquisitions, and reorganizations. Erik can be described as a content creator. He has a blog at medium.com/@erikpmvermeulen, where he shares insights in how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities across all areas of the economy and society. In our fast-changing world, Erik revisits long-held assumptions and theories, and seeks to develop new models more appropriate to the next normal. He is a top writer in innovation and education on online publication platform Medium. Erik’s thought-provoking and innovative views on business, technology, education, and the law have attracted international attention. He regularly serves as an expert advisor to international organizations and national and local governments around the world. Finally, he is a co-owner of a Michelin star restaurant in The Netherlands. |
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Ralitza Germanova Ralitza is part of the IFC Corporate Governance Group team. She works with regulators, partner institutions and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. With IFC’s global programs, she works with partners to develop knowledge and assessment tools in the areas of codes, standards, transparency and disclosure and sustainability. Ralitza is leading the Practice Group on Codes, Standards and ESG Disclosure and Transparency, and works on development of knowledge tools and solutions in these areas. She is one of the principle authors of the CG Scorecards Toolkit and Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit, and supported development of over 20 CG codes and scorecards. Other publications include: From Companies to Markets - Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. Before joining IFC, Ralitza worked for the United Nations Development Program in Bulgaria as a Coordinator of the UN Global Compact Network for private sector. Responsibilities included introducing Corporate Social Responsibility concepts and implementation plans with the government of Bulgaria. She also worked with the Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency to promote foreign investments and work closely with the EU Commission to draft legislation. Ralitza holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance from HANKEN School of Economics in Helsinki and Masters in Laws and Economics from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. |
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Mary Jo Larson Mary Jo Larson provides consulting services to international, multilateral, and private sector organizations. Clients have included IFC/World Bank, UNEP, international NGOs, APICORP, and Tata Group. Areas of expertise include experiential adult learning, principled leadership, board practices, multi-stakeholder engagement, conflict transformation, developmental evaluation and ESG/sustainability. Dr. Larson is a Senior Consultant with IFC’s Corporate Governance Group. She is currently working with IFC on a platform-driven ecosystem that aims to help companies in emerging markets respond to the increasing demand for transparent, integrated financial and ESG reporting. Mary Jo began working with IFC in 2007, as she helped to author and launch IFC’s Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources. With IFC, she is lead author for an article on Board Evaluation and team contributor to Preventing and Solving Corporate Governance Disputes, Enhancing Bank Governance, and the award-winning Beyond the Balance Sheet Toolkit for Disclosure and Transparency. Relevant background includes Director of the Gates Foundation’s Global Women’s Leadership Program and Chief of Programming and Training for Peace Corps’ Asia and Pacific region. Qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Masters (M.S) in Applied Linguistics. Relevant affiliations include Chair of Cohasset’s Governance Committee, Chair of Cohasset’s Alternative Energy Committee, lecturer at Columbia University, and Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. |
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ASEAN Corporate Governance Workshop on the ASEAN CG Scorecard |
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On December 11, 2020, the IFC East Asia and Pacific Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Program Advisory Program jointly with the Laos Securities Commission organized a webinar on the lessons learned from the ASEAN Corporate Governance (CG) Scorecard and discussion on scorecards development and implementation worldwide. The goal is to support Laos's preparation of a local CG scorecard.
The Scorecard instrument aims to assist in a survey of ESG practices in the country and builds on the introduction of the Corporate Governance Code. Such a rating system seeks to develop a sound base for assessing the implementation of good corporate governance, environmental and social practices and providing a policy framework for future discussions and development. In this way, the strengths and weaknesses of corporate governance in the companies will become evident, and strengths recognized, and weaknesses may be improved.
You will hear exciting insights and practical tips for scorecard's benefits to improving both company's policies and the country's regulation, useful resources, and lessons learned from scorecards development and implementation in Thailand, ASEAN, and worldwide. More than 60 participants attended the e-workshop.
You can find information about IFC's experience and resources on Corporate Governance Scorecards here. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Coming soon |
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EAP ESG Advisory Webinar series #3, Disclosure & Transparency: Fiji Experimental Adult Learning Training the Trainers |
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This webinar organized jointly by the International Finance Corporation and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (UN SSE) aims to help companies in East Asia and the Pacific understand how to report better to investors and other key stakeholders. The experiential adult learning design, resources and activities are specifically relevant to D&T, building upon IFC’s award-winning Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit “Beyond the Balance Sheet”. The purpose of this training of trainers (TOT) is to enhance the D&T knowledge and experiential adult learning capacities of facilitators, faculty and training managers in Fiji. Participants with a strong interest in helping companies attract capital and build resilient enterprises will develop the knowledge base and skill sets needed to design and facilitate D&T programs that reflect international best practices adapted to emerging technologies and regional priorities. Objectives of the webinar:
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Susan Blesener Susan Blesener is the founder of The Art of Value, a global consultancy that helps companies define, manage and disclose what matters most and advises investors on refining impact measurement and assessing emerging risks. Recent projects for investment advisory firms include development of new tools for water risk assessment. Prior to establishing The Art of Value, she directed investor relations for several US companies and managed corporate and integrated reporting at IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, and Novo Nordisk, the world’s largest producer of insulin and one of the first companies in the world to issue an integrated report. |
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Anne E. Molyneux Anne Molyneux, is a Director of CS International, a global consulting firm. She is an experienced director and former trustee of pension funds and is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow). She advises in corporate governance and corporate reporting, and on banking and securities regulations. She is Vice-Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – the global investor network with some $54 trillion under investment. She is a member of the Integrated Reporting Advisory Council. Mrs. Molyneux has developed public and private sector corporate governance practices, including for companies, banks, regulators and stock exchanges. Her work includes the development of corporate governance codes and scorecards, board policies and practices, board and committee charters. She undertakes board evaluations, audit committee advice and support, scorecards for national and company assessments and capacity building in sustainability and corporate governance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to private company and state-owned enterprise clients, her clients include the OECD, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She has wide experience in Asia, South Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. She is a business representative and contributor to the OECD Corporate Governance Steering Committee. She is an invited member of the OECD Asian Corporate Governance Roundtable. She is a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Consultative Advisory Group, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Consultative Advisory Group and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). She is a fellow member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master of Management and is a former member of the IFRS Advisory Council. |
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Jerome Lavigne-Delville Jerome Lavigne-Delville is an expert in global corporate sustainability and responsible investment, with 20 years of experience in sustainability, finance and law. Jerome currently serves as a Senior Consultant for the IFC, working with the Corporate Governance Group to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in emerging markets. He is also a Senior Advisor for the UN Global Compact, focusing on Financial Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jerome was a key architect of the SASB standards for material sustainability disclosure and the UN Global Compact transparency and disclosure framework. He also played a key role in a number of critical investor-company initiatives to integrate sustainability in finance, including valuation of sustainability performance, ESG Investor Briefings and the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative. Prior to the United Nations, Jerome worked as an investment banker at Bear Stearns & Co, as an attorney in Mergers & Acquisitions at Shearman & Sterling and at the World Economic Forum advising companies in the Media industry. |
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Erik P.M. Vermeulen Erik’s work can be broken down into four categories. Erik is a Professor of Business and Financial Law and the Director of the International Business Law program at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. He teaches business organizations and governance, law and technology, and business innovation and finance at Tilburg Law School, TIAS School for Business and Society, and at other universities around the world. Erik also offers classes specifically tailored to an online audience. His research, including chapters of his academic books, can be downloaded from the Social Science Research Network. Erik has appeared at numerous conferences as a featured or keynote speaker. Erik works at the intersection of the academic and corporate worlds. He is a Senior Legal Counsel at Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting). He works on corporate matters, mergers & acquisitions, and reorganizations. Erik can be described as a content creator. He has a blog at medium.com/@erikpmvermeulen, where he shares insights in how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities across all areas of the economy and society. In our fast-changing world, Erik revisits long-held assumptions and theories, and seeks to develop new models more appropriate to the next normal. He is a top writer in innovation and education on online publication platform Medium. Erik’s thought-provoking and innovative views on business, technology, education, and the law have attracted international attention. He regularly serves as an expert advisor to international organizations and national and local governments around the world. Finally, he is a co-owner of a Michelin star restaurant in The Netherlands. |
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Ralitza Germanova Ralitza is part of the IFC Corporate Governance Group team. She works with regulators, partner institutions and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. With IFC’s global programs, she works with partners to develop knowledge and assessment tools in the areas of codes, standards, transparency and disclosure and sustainability. Ralitza is leading the Practice Group on Codes, Standards and ESG Disclosure and Transparency, and works on development of knowledge tools and solutions in these areas. She is one of the principle authors of the CG Scorecards Toolkit and Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit, and supported development of over 20 CG codes and scorecards. Other publications include: From Companies to Markets - Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. Before joining IFC, Ralitza worked for the United Nations Development Program in Bulgaria as a Coordinator of the UN Global Compact Network for private sector. Responsibilities included introducing Corporate Social Responsibility concepts and implementation plans with the government of Bulgaria. She also worked with the Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency to promote foreign investments and work closely with the EU Commission to draft legislation. Ralitza holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance from HANKEN School of Economics in Helsinki and Masters in Laws and Economics from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. |
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Mary Jo Larson Mary Jo Larson provides consulting services to international, multilateral, and private sector organizations. Clients have included IFC/World Bank, UNEP, international NGOs, APICORP, and Tata Group. Areas of expertise include experiential adult learning, principled leadership, board practices, multi-stakeholder engagement, conflict transformation, developmental evaluation and ESG/sustainability. Dr. Larson is a Senior Consultant with IFC’s Corporate Governance Group. She is currently working with IFC on a platform-driven ecosystem that aims to help companies in emerging markets respond to the increasing demand for transparent, integrated financial and ESG reporting. Mary Jo began working with IFC in 2007, as she helped to author and launch IFC’s Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources. With IFC, she is lead author for an article on Board Evaluation and team contributor to Preventing and Solving Corporate Governance Disputes, Enhancing Bank Governance, and the award-winning Beyond the Balance Sheet Toolkit for Disclosure and Transparency. Relevant background includes Director of the Gates Foundation’s Global Women’s Leadership Program and Chief of Programming and Training for Peace Corps’ Asia and Pacific region. Qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Masters (M.S) in Applied Linguistics. Relevant affiliations include Chair of Cohasset’s Governance Committee, Chair of Cohasset’s Alternative Energy Committee, lecturer at Columbia University, and Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. |
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Advancing Environmental Assessment in Africa |
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Climate change, transboundary impacts, gender, and health are just some of the critical issues at stake in advancing and increasing the value of environmental assessment in financing activities in Africa. SBN is a learning platform established in 2012 by IFC and emerging market regulators and banking associations to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration to advance sustainable finance. One of the pillars of this work is the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into financial sector activities. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Ms. Louise Gardiner, SBN Africa Coordinator
Ms. Louise Gardiner has been a staff member and consultant to IFC since 2005. As a program officer in the Environment and Social Development Department, she prepared IFC’s 2005 Sustainability Report and was part of the core team for IFC’s first Integrated Annual Reports in 2007 and 2008. She subsequently established an advisory offering for IFC clients on sustainability reporting, including a two-year partnership with the Global Reporting initiative (GRI), and contributed to innovative research on the link between sustainability and financial performance in IFC’s investment portfolio. Since then, she has consulted globally for IFC on projects supporting private and public sector initiatives in sustainability disclosure, green finance, and responsible investment in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She is an experienced stakeholder engagement practitioner and trainer. She has been part of the SBN Secretariat team since 2012 and is currently coordinator for the African region and Green Bond working group. |
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Ms. Libby Dreyer, Head: Environmental Social Sustainability, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) |
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Mr. Hamah Ndlovu, ESG Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East and North Africa, IFC |
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Ms. Bryony Walmsley, consultant to DBSA, Compiler and lead author |
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Ms. Leanne Govindsamy, Programme Head: Corporate Accountability and Transparency, Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) |
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Mr. Musa Salah, Chair: Ghana Sustainable Banking Principles Steering Committee |
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Sustainable Sediment Mining and Management during Hydropower Development |
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Hydropower projects alter the sediment flow in rivers by capturing the sediments in the reservoirs created by the dams, sediments including sand, gravel, and boulders are also extracted locally to meet the demand for construction materials. The combined impact of these two pressures on the river sediments can be devastating for the river ecosystems. The webinar will sensitize the participants to importance of riverbed sediments in the river ecosystems, impacts on sediment flow caused by hydropower projects, extraction of sediments for commercial purposes on aquatic ecosystems, assessment of market and social aspects of sediment mining, and evaluation of supply demand balance of various grades of sediments to determine environmentally and socially sustainable extraction levels. A case study of a sediment mining plan recently prepared for a hydropower project will also be provided. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Dr. Lois Koehnken Sediment Specialist Dr. Lois Koehnken is an independent consultant specialising in sediment transport, geomorphology and water quality. She works across a range of industries, including hydropower and mining, providing industry, governments and NGOs with science based guidance on development, management, mitigation and remediation of river and estuarine systems. Lois has extensive experience in river systems where hydropower development and sediment extraction have altered sediment transport and will provide a global perspective on how these activities individually and collectively affect the physical characteristics of river systems. |
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Dr. Cate Brown Fresh Water Ecologist Professor Cate Brown has a PhD in Freshwater Ecology and specialises in understanding the links between aquatic ecosystem functioning and flows of water, sediments and biota. She was the EFlows specialist for the Gulpur Hydropower Project (biophysical and social) and has been EFlows advisor to Hagler Bailly Pakistan for ten years. She was also leader for the EFlows assessments for, inter alia, the Olifants-Doorn (South Africa), Breede (South Africa), Outeniqua (South Africa), Usutu and Mthlatuze (South Africa), Pangani (Tanzania), Okavango (Angola, Namibia, Botswana), Cunene (Namibia, Angola), Zambezi (Mozambique), Kafue (Zambia), Maputo (Mozambique), Mekong (Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), Nile (Sudan), Kagera (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda), Neelum-Jhelum (Pakistan) rivers and basins. Cate is author of >38 publications on ecosystem-based river management in international scientific journals, and the lead author of over 200 EFlows related reports for clients. More recently, she has worked to develop the sediment mining plan of Gulpur Hydropower Project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). |
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Vaqar Zakaria Managing Director, Hagler Bailly Pakistan Mr. Zakaria is the Managing Director of Hagler Bailly Pakistan where he leads the environmental practice of the company. He is the founding member and director of the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, and a member of the Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife management boards. He holds bachelors and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Zakaria has worked on a large number of environmental and social impact assessments for hydropower projects including Gulpur, Karot, Kohala, Balakot, Azad Pattan, Athmuqqam, Arkari Gol and Mahl Hydropower projects. He is leading the development of the sediment mining plan of Gulpur Hydropower Project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). |
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IFC Sustainability Webinar: Inclusive Leadership and Resilient Organizations: Navigating through Crisis and Recovering Stronger |
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The world of work is undergoing profound change, a change accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technologies, the future of work, the gig economy, promising business opportunities, hidden pitfalls—there’s a new normal emerging. It is requiring adaptability, creativity and decisiveness amidst extensive uncertainty. Today, now more than ever, organizations need to be resilient – to be able to pivot quickly in the face of major disruptions. Building stable and sustainable business cultures is critical. This speaks to having in place a truly diverse and inclusive leadership team, with complementary skill sets, perspectives and expertise. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Prof. Dr. Alexandre Di Miceli da Silveira is a professional speaker, consultant, and researcher entirely devoted to corporate governance and business ethics since 2000. He is the founder of Virtuous Company, a top management consultancy firm, and full professor at Alvares Penteado School of Business in São Paulo. Alex is the author of “The Virtuous Barrel: How to Transform Corporate Scandals into Good Businesses” as well as of best-selling management books in Brazil, including “The Resilient Company”, “Corporate Governance: Theory and Practice”, “Behavioral Business Ethics”, and “Corporate Governance: Essentials for Leaders.” He has been a short-term consultant with IFC since 2015. He was a professor at the University of São Paulo, independent consultant for the OECD, and vice-president of the Brazilian Society of Finance. Alex holds a Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in management from the University of São Paulo and has been a visiting professor at Cornell University and University of Louvain. He has published more than 25 papers on peer-reviewed journals. He is fluent in English and Spanish, native in Portuguese, and proficient in Italian and French. |
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Brenda Bowman is an advisor, course designer and lead facilitator for IFC’s Women on Boards and in Business Leadership training program. Her areas of expertise include gender diversity, inclusive leadership and corporate governance in emerging and frontier markets. She specializes in the dynamics of unconscious bias in the board room and in C-suites. Brenda's workshops focus on experiential, transformational learning linking Emotional and Social Intelligence with strategies for gender diversity that boost ESG performance and sustainability. She is the author of IFC’s Board Leadership and Training Resource Kits for the Nigerian Banking Sector; the Board Leadership and Training Resource Kit for Board Directors in Malawi; and the Corporate Secretary’s Toolkit. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree from Makerere University in Uganda and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics (M.Sc.) from Edinburgh University, Scotland. |
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Loty Salazar is a Corporate Governance Officer at IFC. She is the global lead for IFC’s Women on Boards and in Business Leadership program, which champions the sustainable business benefits of gender diversity in corporate boards and senior management positions. Responding to the growing demand from developing and emerging markets, the program builds pipelines of female talent and has created a new generation of women business leaders. Loty and her team have designed and successfully delivered training sessions on women’s business leadership around the world. As the corporate governance gender representative in the Environment, Social and Governance Department’s gender working group, she plays a leading role in developing and implementing IFC’s gender strategy. Prior to joining IFC, Loty worked with the World Bank on projects ranging from gender, to public sector governance, and media development in the East Asia and the Pacific region. A Bolivian national, she is based in Washington D.C. and holds a Master’s in International Development from George Washington University. |
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EAP ESG webinar Series #2: Disclosure and Transparency: Beyond the Balance Sheet - Increasing Resilience and Building Trust During and After COVID-19 In East Asia |
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This webinar, organized jointly by the International Finance Corporation and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (UN SSE) aims to help companies in East Asia and the Pacific understand how to report better to investors and other key stakeholders, building on IFC’s award-winning Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit “Beyond the Balance Sheet” , Special Guidance on Disclosure and Transparency During and After COVID and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative resources. The webinar was attended by over 80 participants from Indonesia, Fiji and Myanmar. Objectives of the webinar:
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Anthony Miller, SBN Africa Coordinator
Anthony Miller is the Co-Coordinator of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative and the Focal Point for Corporate Social Responsibility within the Investment and Enterprise Division of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He has managed the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative since its launch by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009. In 2011, the initiative was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “world’s best sustainability ideas”. Dr. Miller is a specialist on CSR, corporate governance and responsible investment, with particular emphasis on how these issues impact developing countries. He is a regular contributor to UNCTAD’s flagship World Investment Report and for over 10 years an annual guest lecturer on CSR and responsible investment at the Cambridge Centre for Development Studies. He holds an MPhil and PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge. |
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Susan Blesener Susan Blesener is the founder of The Art of Value, a global consultancy that helps companies define, manage and disclose what matters most and advises investors on refining impact measurement and assessing emerging risks. Recent projects for investment advisory firms include development of new tools for water risk assessment. Prior to establishing The Art of Value, she directed investor relations for several US companies and managed corporate and integrated reporting at IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, and Novo Nordisk, the world’s largest producer of insulin and one of the first companies in the world to issue an integrated report. |
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Anne E. Molyneux Anne Molyneux, is a Director of CS International, a global consulting firm. She is an experienced director and former trustee of pension funds and is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow). She advises in corporate governance and corporate reporting, and on banking and securities regulations. She is Vice-Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – the global investor network with some $54 trillion under investment. She is a member of the Integrated Reporting Advisory Council. Mrs. Molyneux has developed public and private sector corporate governance practices, including for companies, banks, regulators and stock exchanges. Her work includes the development of corporate governance codes and scorecards, board policies and practices, board and committee charters. She undertakes board evaluations, audit committee advice and support, scorecards for national and company assessments and capacity building in sustainability and corporate governance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to private company and state-owned enterprise clients, her clients include the OECD, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She has wide experience in Asia, South Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. She is a business representative and contributor to the OECD Corporate Governance Steering Committee. She is an invited member of the OECD Asian Corporate Governance Roundtable. She is a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Consultative Advisory Group, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Consultative Advisory Group and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). She is a fellow member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master of Management and is a former member of the IFRS Advisory Council. |
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Jerome Lavigne-Delville Jerome Lavigne-Delville is an expert in global corporate sustainability and responsible investment, with 20 years of experience in sustainability, finance and law. Jerome currently serves as a Senior Consultant for the IFC, working with the Corporate Governance Group to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in emerging markets. He is also a Senior Advisor for the UN Global Compact, focusing on Financial Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jerome was a key architect of the SASB standards for material sustainability disclosure and the UN Global Compact transparency and disclosure framework. He also played a key role in a number of critical investor-company initiatives to integrate sustainability in finance, including valuation of sustainability performance, ESG Investor Briefings and the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative. Prior to the United Nations, Jerome worked as an investment banker at Bear Stearns & Co, as an attorney in Mergers & Acquisitions at Shearman & Sterling and at the World Economic Forum advising companies in the Media industry. |
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Erik P.M. Vermeulen Erik’s work can be broken down into four categories. Erik is a Professor of Business and Financial Law and the Director of the International Business Law program at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. He teaches business organizations and governance, law and technology, and business innovation and finance at Tilburg Law School, TIAS School for Business and Society, and at other universities around the world. Erik also offers classes specifically tailored to an online audience. His research, including chapters of his academic books, can be downloaded from the Social Science Research Network. Erik has appeared at numerous conferences as a featured or keynote speaker. Erik works at the intersection of the academic and corporate worlds. He is a Senior Legal Counsel at Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting). He works on corporate matters, mergers & acquisitions, and reorganizations. Erik can be described as a content creator. He has a blog at medium.com/@erikpmvermeulen, where he shares insights in how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities across all areas of the economy and society. In our fast-changing world, Erik revisits long-held assumptions and theories, and seeks to develop new models more appropriate to the next normal. He is a top writer in innovation and education on online publication platform Medium. Erik’s thought-provoking and innovative views on business, technology, education, and the law have attracted international attention. He regularly serves as an expert advisor to international organizations and national and local governments around the world. Finally, he is a co-owner of a Michelin star restaurant in The Netherlands. |
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Ralitza Germanova Ralitza is part of the IFC Corporate Governance Group team. She works with regulators, partner institutions and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. With IFC’s global programs, she works with partners to develop knowledge and assessment tools in the areas of codes, standards, transparency and disclosure and sustainability. Ralitza is leading the Practice Group on Codes, Standards and ESG Disclosure and Transparency, and works on development of knowledge tools and solutions in these areas. She is one of the principle authors of the CG Scorecards Toolkit and Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit, and supported development of over 20 CG codes and scorecards. Other publications include: From Companies to Markets - Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. Before joining IFC, Ralitza worked for the United Nations Development Program in Bulgaria as a Coordinator of the UN Global Compact Network for private sector. Responsibilities included introducing Corporate Social Responsibility concepts and implementation plans with the government of Bulgaria. She also worked with the Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency to promote foreign investments and work closely with the EU Commission to draft legislation. Ralitza holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance from HANKEN School of Economics in Helsinki and Masters in Laws and Economics from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. |
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Mary Jo Larson Mary Jo Larson provides consulting services to international, multilateral, and private sector organizations. Clients have included IFC/World Bank, UNEP, international NGOs, APICORP, and Tata Group. Areas of expertise include experiential adult learning, principled leadership, board practices, multi-stakeholder engagement, conflict transformation, developmental evaluation and ESG/sustainability. Dr. Larson is a Senior Consultant with IFC’s Corporate Governance Group. She is currently working with IFC on a platform-driven ecosystem that aims to help companies in emerging markets respond to the increasing demand for transparent, integrated financial and ESG reporting. Mary Jo began working with IFC in 2007, as she helped to author and launch IFC’s Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources. With IFC, she is lead author for an article on Board Evaluation and team contributor to Preventing and Solving Corporate Governance Disputes, Enhancing Bank Governance, and the award-winning Beyond the Balance Sheet Toolkit for Disclosure and Transparency. Relevant background includes Director of the Gates Foundation’s Global Women’s Leadership Program and Chief of Programming and Training for Peace Corps’ Asia and Pacific region. Qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Masters (M.S) in Applied Linguistics. Relevant affiliations include Chair of Cohasset’s Governance Committee, Chair of Cohasset’s Alternative Energy Committee, lecturer at Columbia University, and Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. |
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ECA ESG Advisory Webinar Series #1: Disclosure and Transparency: Increasing Resilience and Building Trust in Ukraine |
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This webinar, organized jointly by the Ukraine National Securities and Stock Market Commission, the International Finance Corporation and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (UN SSE) on November 20, 2020 aims to help companies in Ukraine understand how to report better to investors and other key stakeholders, building on IFC’s award-winning Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit “Beyond the Balance Sheet”, IFC’s Financial Institutions Group and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative resources. Over 60 companies including the IFC investment clients in Ukraine attended the event. IFC is supporting the development of supplement to the newly adopted Ukrainian Corporate Governance Code on "Governance and Sustainability," ESG Scorecard, and ESG Disclosure Guidelines. These tools are supporting sustainable finance development in the country. Presentation material - Eng - Zip file1 - File 2 Presentation material - Ukr- Zip file |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Anthony Miller, SBN Africa Coordinator
Anthony Miller is the Co-Coordinator of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative and the Focal Point for Corporate Social Responsibility within the Investment and Enterprise Division of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He has managed the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative since its launch by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009. In 2011, the initiative was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “world’s best sustainability ideas”. Dr. Miller is a specialist on CSR, corporate governance and responsible investment, with particular emphasis on how these issues impact developing countries. He is a regular contributor to UNCTAD’s flagship World Investment Report and for over 10 years an annual guest lecturer on CSR and responsible investment at the Cambridge Centre for Development Studies. He holds an MPhil and PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge. |
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W. Richard Frederick W. Richard Frederick advises on issues of corporate governance and transparency mainly for the World Bank, the IFC, UNCTAD, the OECD and NGOs. He was one of the principal authors of the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, and a contributor to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the UN Guidance on Good Practices for Corporate Governance Disclosure, and other national and international codes of governance. More recently, he has worked on issues of state-owned enterprise governance and bank governance. Mr. Frederick was involved in the privatization of state-owned enterprises for the Treuhandanstalt in the former East Germany and, while at KPMG, advised boards on executive remuneration schemes. Formerly a Principal Administrator at the OECD and the Director of Operations of the International Federation of Accountants, Mr. Frederick holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and an MBA from INSEAD. |
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Anne E. Molyneux Anne Molyneux, is a Director of CS International, a global consulting firm. She is an experienced director and former trustee of pension funds and is a Chartered Accountant (Fellow). She advises in corporate governance and corporate reporting, and on banking and securities regulations. She is Vice-Chair of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) – the global investor network with some $54 trillion under investment. She is a member of the Integrated Reporting Advisory Council. Mrs. Molyneux has developed public and private sector corporate governance practices, including for companies, banks, regulators and stock exchanges. Her work includes the development of corporate governance codes and scorecards, board policies and practices, board and committee charters. She undertakes board evaluations, audit committee advice and support, scorecards for national and company assessments and capacity building in sustainability and corporate governance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to private company and state-owned enterprise clients, her clients include the OECD, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She has wide experience in Asia, South Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. She is a business representative and contributor to the OECD Corporate Governance Steering Committee. She is an invited member of the OECD Asian Corporate Governance Roundtable. She is a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Consultative Advisory Group, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Consultative Advisory Group and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). She is a fellow member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master of Management and is a former member of the IFRS Advisory Council. |
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Jerome Lavigne-Delville Jerome Lavigne-Delville is an expert in global corporate sustainability and responsible investment, with 20 years of experience in sustainability, finance and law. Jerome currently serves as a Senior Consultant for the IFC, working with the Corporate Governance Group to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in emerging markets. He is also a Senior Advisor for the UN Global Compact, focusing on Financial Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jerome was a key architect of the SASB standards for material sustainability disclosure and the UN Global Compact transparency and disclosure framework. He also played a key role in a number of critical investor-company initiatives to integrate sustainability in finance, including valuation of sustainability performance, ESG Investor Briefings and the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative. Prior to the United Nations, Jerome worked as an investment banker at Bear Stearns & Co, as an attorney in Mergers & Acquisitions at Shearman & Sterling and at the World Economic Forum advising companies in the Media industry. |
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Bistra Boeva Prof. Boeva is a full-time professor at the “International Economic Relations and Business” Department at the University for National and World Economic Studies (Sofia, Bulgaria). She holds a postdoctoral degree in international business and master’s degree in law. Prof. Bistra Boeva teaches courses in International Management, International project management and Corporate Governance Master’s Program in Bulgaria and abroad. Prof. Bistra Boeva chaired the Supervisory Board of the Privatization Fund Kaliman (1996-1997) and held of Board of Directorships in of Bulgarian companies. For four years (1997-2001) she was a Commissioner at the Bulgarian National Securities and Stock Exchange Commission. Currently Prof. Boeva is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group (Global Forum for Corporate Governance-IFC/ World Bank). In her capacity as a PSAG member, she works on projects in ECA countries. Between 2008 and 2011 she was appointed as a member of the European Forum for Corporate Governance established by European Commission. Her publications are on corporate governance issues, international management and international project management. |
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Ralitza Germanova Ralitza is part of the IFC Corporate Governance Group team. She works with regulators, partner institutions and private sector companies to improve corporate governance practices in Europe and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. With IFC’s global programs, she works with partners to develop knowledge and assessment tools in the areas of codes, standards, transparency and disclosure and sustainability. Ralitza is leading the Practice Group on Codes, Standards and ESG Disclosure and Transparency, and works on development of knowledge tools and solutions in these areas. She is one of the principle authors of the CG Scorecards Toolkit and Disclosure and Transparency Toolkit, and supported development of over 20 CG codes and scorecards. Other publications include: From Companies to Markets - Global Developments in Corporate Governance, Challenges in Group Governance: The Governance of Cross-Border Bank Subsidiaries, A Guide to Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union. Before joining IFC, Ralitza worked for the United Nations Development Program in Bulgaria as a Coordinator of the UN Global Compact Network for private sector. Responsibilities included introducing Corporate Social Responsibility concepts and implementation plans with the government of Bulgaria. She also worked with the Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency to promote foreign investments and work closely with the EU Commission to draft legislation. Ralitza holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Governance from HANKEN School of Economics in Helsinki and Masters in Laws and Economics from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. |
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Using Radio Telemetry to Develop a Conservation Strategy for the Golden Mahseer |
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The Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is an endangered species of cyprinid fish that is found in rapid streams, riverine pools, and lakes in the Himalayan region. The Golden Mahseer faces several survival challenges, such as the construction of hydropower projects, illegal fishing, and climate change. Conservation eorts for this species, however, have been hampered by a lack of information on its basic life history. Telemetry is a technique in which radio transmitters are surgically inserted into the fish and their movement is tracked using receivers placed on the riverbanks. This webinar will explain the science, objectives, and expected outcomes of fish telemetry and provide a brief description of successful telemetry projects, for instance in Bhutan. An overview of the planned telemetry project on the Poonch River to track the migration of fish species, after the construction of the Gulpur dam, will also be provided. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Julie Claussen Director of Operations Julie Claussen is a research biologist that has worked in the areas of sustainable fisheries management, best practices for recreational fisheries, and the conservation of native fish populations. In addition, she is a trained science communicator and has received professional society awards for her efforts in promoting fisheries science to stakeholders. Julie was one of the founding partners of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF), where she now serves as Director of Operations. Through FCF, Julie has worked on projects in the United States and abroad (most recently in the Bahamas, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand) to further their sustainable fisheries efforts. |
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Dr. David P. Philipp Chair, Board of Directors David Philipp’s research spans both marine and freshwater ecosystems with a focus on fisheries conservation, reproductive ecology, and the effects of angling on natural fish populations. His findings have helped to elucidate the consequences of hatchery-based supplemental stocking programs on native fisheries. Dr. Philipp has over 200 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and has served on several national committees including the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Genetics Panel for Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program. David was instrumental in the formation of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, where he is currently the Chair of their Board of Directors. |
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Developing a Biodiversity Action/Management Plan for a Hydropower Project |
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International best practices in biodiversity management require preparation of Biodiversity Action Plans and Biodiversity Management Plans (Plans) to protect species that are at risk from the impacts of construction and operation of projects. The webinar will introduce the basic concepts including the presence of biodiversity resources that trigger the requirements (IFC PS 6) for preparation of the Plans, the structure of the Plans, the process and key steps in preparation of the Plans, and challenges in making the Plans operational. Case studies from successful implementation of plans for hydropower and renewable energy projects in Pakistan and in the region will also be presented. For webinar details, please go to: www.ifc.org/hydroadvisory Recorded Webinar: No recording available |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Vaqar Zakaria Managing Director, Mr. Zakaria is the Managing Director of Hagler Bailly Pakistan where he leads the environmental practice of the company. He is the founding member and director of the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, and a member of the Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife management boards. He holds bachelors and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Zakaria has developed a number of biodiversity action/management plans for hydropower projects including Gulpur, Karot, Kohala, Balakot, and Mahl Hydropower projects. He has worked for the declaration and conservation of a number of protected areas in the country including Deosai National Park, Poonch River Mahseer National Park, Musk Deer National Park and Margallah Hills National Park. |
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Jahanzeb Murad Operations Ocer, Jahanzeb Murad is currently working with IFC in the ESG Advisory team. Before this he was the Senior Manager Environment & Social at Mira Power Limited where he developed the Biodiversity Action Plan for the Gulpur Hydropower Project. He was the focal person for developing the BAP and coordinated with the project lenders, BAP consultant, implementing organization as well as the government regulators, fisheries and wildlife department, and the environmental protection agencies. He has worked as an environmental and social specialist for over 20 years in a number of companies including Laraib Energy, Hagler Bailly Pakistan, Urban Resource Centre and pharmaceutical companies. |
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Emma Hume Technical Director, Emma is Technical Director at TBC specializing in natural resource and protected area management. She has over 13 years of experience working in natural resource management within Africa and South America. She has a wide range of experience of baseline and biodiversity monitoring, climate change initiatives (REDD+, CDM, PES), ecotourism and the impact of natural resource management on local livelihoods and resources. |
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Rethinking Hatcheries: A Review of the Costs and Benefits |
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The key speakers at the webinar are renowned fish specialists with several years of experience in fish conservation, fish reproductive ecology and sustainable fisheries management. The webinar will focus on the risks (ecological, demographic, and genetic) associated with stocking cultured fish – what they are and how to minimize them and a Review of costs and benefits of fish hatcheries and relevant mitigation measures. For webinar details, please go to: www.ifc.org/hydroadvisory Recorded Webinar: No recording available |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Julie Claussen Director of Operations Julie Claussen is a research biologist that has worked in the areas of sustainable fisheries management, best practices for recreational fisheries, and the conservation of native fish populations. In addition, she is a trained science communicator and has received professional society awards for her efforts in promoting fisheries science to stakeholders. Julie was one of the founding partners of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF), where she now serves as Director of Operations. Through FCF, Julie has worked on projects in the United States and abroad (most recently in the Bahamas, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand) to further their sustainable fisheries efforts. |
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Dr. David P. Philipp Chair, Board of Directors Dr David Philipp's research spans both marine and freshwater ecosystems with a focus on fisheries conservation, reproductive ecology, and the effects of angling on natural fish populations. His findings have helped to elucidate the consequences of hatchery-based supplemental stocking programs on native fisheries. Dr. Philipp has over 200 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and has served on several national committees. David was instrumental in the formation of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, where he is currently the Chair of their Board of Directors. |
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Covid-19 and Gender Based Violence: Workplace Risks and Responses |
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COVID19 continues to create immense suffering, affecting individuals, communities and economies. As with other health emergencies COVID19 is resulting in an increase in gender-based violence (GBV). GBV and other forms of workplace violence have a direct impact on businesses - decreasing the safety and well-being of employees and the community, affecting financial performance, and damaging reputation. These risks are a threat to businesses, their employees and the communities they operate in surviving and recovering from the pandemic and should be taken as seriously as the pandemic itself. IFC has produced a Guidance Note for Employers on COVID19 and GBV Workplace Risks and Responses to assist businesses to respond and is offering webinars and training to further support businesses on the issue. This webinar provides an overview of the issues, risks, effects, case studies, response and an opportunity for participants to ask questions. For webinar details, please go to: www.ifc.org/hydroadvisory Recorded Webinar: not available now |
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About the Presenters: Shabnam Hameed Mahnaz Rahman Anika Effendi |
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IFC Sustainability Webinar Series: Addressing Gender Based Violence and Harassment-Emerging Guidance for the Private Sector |
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The webinar will include a short presentation of the GBVH publication by Vidya Naidu, a Social Development Specialist with SDD. This will be followed by case study presentations from private sector companies, highlighting GBVH actions taken and some of the challenges they faced. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session addressed to the panel of speakers |
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Facilitator: Paul Nolan Paul Nolan is Founder Director of GCPS Consulting, a specialist safeguarding consultancy, and is currently engaged as Senior Technical Advisor for DFID's Safeguarding Resource & Support Hub. Paul has worked in International Development for over 30 years and began working on safeguarding internationally almost 25 years ago, during which time he has served as the Global Safeguarding Lead for 3 large International NGOs. Paul also co-founded and chaired Keeping Children Safe and was Co-Chair of a UN IASC Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Task Force sub group. Since establishing GCPS in 2008, he has been involved in a wide range of safeguarding consultancy projects with UN agencies, INGOs, donors and other organisations. Paul’s background is in child rights and child protection, as well as broader safeguarding work with all groups spanning humanitarian and development contexts. He advises on safeguarding policy matters, provides training and safeguarding audit, review and investigations. |
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Guidance Note Presentation - SD Direct: Vidya Naidu Vidya Naidu is a social development specialist providing technical advice for the design and delivery of large-scale economic development projects. She has experience delivering projects from grassroots to policy level for a range of multilaterals, private sector clients and bilateral donors including the UN, UK Foreign Office, World Bank and UK Department for International Development. Vidya recently provided support to the Asian Development Bank to develop a set of guidelines on addressing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and an accompanying capacity development strategy. The guidelines and strategy will enable ADB staff and developing member countries to identify key risks across their operations and take adequate measures to prevent, mitigate and respond to these risks throughout the project cycle. Vidya’s technical experience also includes the design and development of a tool to help DFID advisers and programme managers identify and mitigate Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) risks at each of the eight stages of the infrastructure project cycle. . |
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Commissioning Organisations - EBRD: Sarah Ruck Sarah Ruck joined the EBRD in 2009 where she works as Senior Social Advisor in the Environment and Sustainability Department (ESD) across a variety of sectors and countries of operation in support of the Bank’s mandate to promote environmentally and socially sound and sustainable development. She also serves as ESD’s focal point for labour standards and gender-based violence. Prior to joining the EBRD, Ms. Ruck was part of IFC’s Environment and Social Development Department in Washington D.C. for 9 years, where she carried out social due diligence of private sector investments as well as technical assistance projects, primarily in extractive industries, in community development and stakeholder engagement, with focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. She participated in the establishment of IFC’s CSR technical assistance programs and supported the organization and delivery of environmental and social risk management training for financial intermediaries. Sarah Ruck is a German and French national. She holds a Masters degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology and a graduate degree in International Trade and Affairs. |
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Commissioning Organisations - IFC: Andrea Cullinan Andrea is the Lead for Gender and Gender-based violence in the IFC’s global Environment, Social and Governance Sustainability Advice and Solutions department. She brings twenty years of expertise as a gender-based violence specialist, previously working with United Nations on work ranging across GBV prevention and response programming, safeguarding affected communities, training, research, policy and numerous projects. She has held national, regional and global roles, coordinating efforts to address GBV across multi-stakeholders such as civil society, business, NGOs, donors and government. In her global roles she has lead many initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, good practices, implementation of standards and diligence, and increased capacity. Andrea has lived and worked largely across Africa and Asia-Pacific including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, South Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Georgia, Afghanistan. She brings real-life practical understanding of contextual challenges and support needed to facilitate private sector development in emerging markets.. |
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Commissioning Organisations - CDC Group: Nomsa Fulbrook-Kagwe Nomsa is a social development specialist at the CDC Group plc and has direct experience working with the private and public sector across a range of geographies and sectors. Nomsa has worked across Africa, the Middle East and Europe with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. At CDC is responsible for working with private equity firms and debt clients across Africa and South Asia on E&S performance management. Her area of expertise focuses on social performance management working across resettlement, community health, safety and security, stakeholder engagement, community development and social investment indigenous peoples, contextual risk analysis and gender. Nomsa has also collaborated and worked with a range of stakeholders including government, civil society organizations, NGOs and local communities. Nomsa is a certified SA8000 social auditor.. |
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Q&A Panel - EBRD: Barbara Rambousek Barbara Rambousek is EBRD’s Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion. She leads its work on gender equality and economic inclusion that creates access to economic opportunity for women, youth and refugees through private sector investments and policy dialogue. Barbara has 20 years leadership experience in the design and delivery of multi-sectoral inclusion, gender and development programmes in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the UK. She was previously Head of Regeneration and Corporate Strategy at the London Development Agency, where she led major urban regeneration programmes and the formulation of London’s 20 year Economic Development Strategy. She holds an MBA from Cass Business School in London and MSc degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Vienna. |
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Q&A Panel - IFC: Diana Baird Diana Baird, Principal Social Development Specialist and the Department’s Social Lead, is one of IFC’s most senior Social Specialists in the Environment, Social and Governance Department (CEG). She is one of the Focal Points for CEG in the implementation of IFC’s Gender Strategy and until recently was leading the Department’s gender and GBV work. She created in 2012 and leads the Social Practice Group (SPG) within CEG, which focuses on ensuring consistency in the application of the Social PSs, as well, as being a forum to brainstorm with peers on challenging issues in order to create innovative solutions for our clients. Diana has worked across all sectors and regions during her many years at IFC. She spent a decade supervising the Chad Cameroon Pipeline Project and worked on IFC’s first mining early equity project, starting in 2006 and which poured its first gold in Guyana in 2015. She has worked on a power project in India, gold mining and agribusiness in Ghana, sugar cane in Nicaragua, rubber in Liberia, and oil palm in Honduras, of which the later project had very challenging human rights, security, access to land and other social and community issues to resolve. In addition, she has also worked across the infrastructure, health, education and FI sectors globally. Diana is a Canadian national, who attended McGill University (B.A. Geography, Montreal, Canada) and the London School of Economics (M.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, London, UK). She currently lives in Washington with her husband and twin boys. |
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Q&A Panel - SD Direct: Sally Neville Sally is a senior gender equality and social inclusion expert with over 16 years of experience. She has worked on empowerment-focused interventions across a number of sectors, including women’s economic empowerment, education and health. Much of her work has focused on generating and using evidence. This has included leading the design and delivery of a multi-year evaluation of an economic empowerment and violence prevention programme in urban India, working in partnership with Columbia University. Sally has worked with a range of organisations, including donors, INGOs, UN agencies and private sector companies, fund managers and investors. She recognises the value of both the ethical and business cases for work on empowerment and social justice and is experienced in communicating these to others and applying them to her work. Sally has also worked with large brands as an adviser to a set of strategic partnerships between DFID and multinational private sector companies and with fund managers to assess and review project proposals, providing technical assistance to help shape their development and implementation Sally Neville was Team Leader for work commissioned by EBRD, IFC and CDC to develop guidance for the private sector on addressing gender-based violence and harassment. . |
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Rebuilding Resilience through Sustainable Finance |
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This webinar presents exclusive country insights from the IFC-supported Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) report Necessary Ambition: How Low-Income Countries Are Adopting Sustainable Finance to Address Poverty, Climate Change, and Other Urgent Challenges, launched in June 2020. The report is the first comprehensive review of drivers and innovation behind market-level efforts to promote sustainable finance in low-income countries. It includes 16 case studies, 8 country reports, and practical decision-making tools based on countries' various experiences. The webinar features opening remarks by IFC Vice President, Georgina Baker, and presentations by four SBN member countries – Bangladesh, Kenya, Mongolia, and Nigeria – about their national journeys to promote a financial sector shift to sustainable finance practices. It also explores how the integration of sustainable finance contributes to a country's overall development ambitions. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Moderator: Ms. Louise Gardiner, Coordinator of SBN African region & Green Bond Working Group Ms. Louise Gardiner has been a staff member and consultant to IFC since 2005.As a program officer in the Environment and Social Development Department,she prepared IFC’s 2005 Sustainability Report and was part of the core team for IFC’s first Integrated Annual Reports in 2007 and 2008.She subsequently established an advisory offering for IFC clients on sustainability reporting, including a two-year partnership with the Global Reporting initiative (GRI), and contributed to innovative research on the link between sustainability and financial performance in IFC’s investment portfolio.Since then, she has consulted globally for IFC on projects supporting private and public sector initiatives in sustainability disclosure, green finance,and responsible investment in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She is an experienced stakeholder engagement practitioner and trainer. She has been part of the SBN Secretariat team since 2012 and is currently coordinator for the African region and Green Bond working group. |
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Ms. Georgina Baker, Vice President of IFC, Chair of SBN Secretaria Georgina Baker is IFC’s Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Central Asia. In this role, she’s responsible for a committed IFC portfolio of nearly $30 billion.Previously, Ms. Baker served IFC in two capacities: as Director of Syndications and as Deputy Treasurer, based in London, where she headed Treasury Operations for Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.As Director of Syndications, Ms. Baker was responsible for IFC's syndicated lending program—the oldest and largest among multilateral development banks, with a portfolio totaling more than $15 billion. It includes the Managed Co-lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), an innovative platform launched in 2016 that successfully allocated $3 billion in under 18 months.Prior to that, Ms. Baker managed IFC’s suite of trade and supply-chain finance products, starting with IFC’s flagship trade program, the Global Trade Finance Program. In her 25 years at IFC, Ms. Baker has held positions in several areas—including manufacturing in Eastern Europe and financial-sector investments in South Asia, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa.Before joining IFC, Ms. Baker worked in the United Kingdom and Indonesia as a mechanical engineer. She holds an MBA from the London Business School. |
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Mr. Batmunkh Batbold, Coordinator of SBN Task Force Batmunkh (Bat) is a financial sector professional with 12 years of working experience in the areas of microfinance, financial infrastructure development and sustainable/green finance policy formulation. He works as a senior financial sector specialist at the IFC Ulaanbaatar office in Mongolia. Also, he is the coordinator for the IFC SBN IDA Task Force,which is the SBN initiative to support low-income member countries to develop and implement sustainable finance frameworks. He manages the IFC’s Insolvency reform, Movables Finance market development, Value Chain Finance market development and Credit Reporting service improvement projects in Mongolia. Also, Bat has been leading the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Project since its beginning. The project’s achievement was cited in the SBN 1st Global Progress Report as one of the 8 top performing countries that have successfully implemented a sustainable finance framework. Before joining IFC, he worked for UNDP and Central Bank of Mongolia,managing insurance and microfinance related projects in the Mongolian financial sector. |
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Dr. Aisha Mahmood, Special Advisor to the Governor on Sustainable Banking, Central Bank of Nigeria Dr A’isha Usman Mahmood is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Sustainable Banking, tasked with the responsibility of driving the sustainability agenda within CBN and the Financial Industry since the launch of the transformative Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles in 2012. She has held several key positions in both Federal and Bauchi State governments between 1984 and 2012. She started her career as a Lecturer of Food Science and Technology in Federal Polytechnic Bauchi in 1984 and rose to the post of Senior Lecturer. She was appointed the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Women Affairs by the Bauchi State government between 1997 and 2002. Dr. Aisha joined the Federal Civil Services in 2002 and was posted to the Federal Ministry of Environment with the mandate of ensuring sound chemicals and hazardous wastes management including the implementation of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements. |
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Ms. Nomindari Enkhtur,Advisor to the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association Nomindari is a young professional primarily concerned about the role of private sector mobilization in financing sustainable development. She currently serves as CEO of the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association, a first-of-its-kind national institution that aims to bring together various financial sector players to direct investments for real progress in sustainable development. In addition, she works with the UN Joint SDG Fund as Portfolio Management Consultant for SDG finance. Since 2013, she closely worked with Mongolian banks, policy makers and international partners to help banks integrate environmental and social considerations into lending decisions and product design. Besides, she worked as a consultant with IFC, UNEP, UNICEF, GIZ and Partners Group on a number of projects related to portfolio emissions calculation, green taxonomy development, green finance mobilization, ESG integration, and capacity building. For her contribution in sustainable development, she was recognized by the European Commission as one of the Global Young Leaders for Development of 2017. In 2018, she was also selected as one of the 5 young sustainable business innovators by the Business for Peace Foundation. Nomindari holds a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in New York and is a Fulbright Awardee. |
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Mr. Asif Iqbal, Joint Director, Bank of Bangladesh Working as Joint Director of Bangladesh Bank, Mr. Asif Iqbal has been serving the central bank of the country since 2009. He specializes on Private sector climate finance, Sustainable Finance Modelling and Environment & Social Risk Management. He is one of the leading experts on SDGs for financial sector in Bangladesh. He started his career as an analyst in investment bank immediately after completing his graduation in Finance from Dhaka University. After entering into financial sector policy horizon, he enriched his academic portfolio with development studies through achieving a master’s degree from Dhaka University. Since joining the central bank, he has been actively involved in core policy making initiatives for the banking sector, such as Basel 2 & 3 Implementation, Credit Risk Management, Problem Asset Management, Environmental Risk Management and Green Banking. His work area currently emphasizes sustainability and inclusive growth through financial sector policy. In addition, he is currently responsible for three Partner-funded development projects. He has also worked in the Strategic Planning process and Development of Social Media Platforms for Bangladesh Bank. He achieved a fellowship from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA, Leadership Programme in Financial Inclusion. |
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Ms. Nuru Mugambi, Director,Kenya Bankers Association Ms. Nuru Mugambihas contributed to the shaping of the banking industry in Kenya. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives aimed at reinforcing the industry’s role of being a core driver of Kenya’s sustainable economic development. Her contributions towards policy formulation have led the industry towards adopting numerous progressive practices, particularly in Sustainable Finance, Gender Diversity,and Consumer Protection. According to the Dutch and German development banks, the Sustainable Finance Initiative that Nuru champions is leading the way in Africa. Most recently, she designed the Kenya Green Bond Program,which is establishing a green bond market in the country. In 2015,Nuru became the youngest female Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Bankers designation for industry excellence and leadership. In 2016 she was recognized by the Eisenhower Fellowships program and U.S. President Barack Obama as an emerging African leader. |
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Gobierno Corporativo en Latinoamérica Experiencias y estrategias empresariales |
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This webinar was organized in collaboration with, and through, the Latin American Network of Corporate Governance Institutes (IGCLA in its Spanish acronym) for participants across all Latin America on evolving governance practices in the region, with a specific theme of decision-making in times of crisis. The webinar is in Spanish and focuses on the role of corporate governance and robust decision-making processes to maintain financial sustainability in the short term on account of Covid (e.g., dividend and remuneration practices/policies, cashflows forecasts, capex plans); the role of corporate governance in planning for long-term investments; the critical importance of robust risk management; the increasing importance of ESG and sustainability focus within businesses. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Mauricio Rosillo Rojas, Corporate VP at Bancolombia Law undergraduate degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Financial Legislation specialization from Universidad de los Andes; holds a Master’s degree in economic and commercial law awarded by Georgia University (U.S.), and courses in European Community Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Mr. Rosillo has extensive professional experience upon private and public sector, acting in several positions including Fedeleasing General Secretary, Acting as the Solidarity Economy Superintendent, Financial Regulation Director at the Ministry of Finance, Headmaster of the Market of the Colombian Stock Exchange and Chairman of the Stock Exchange Self-regulator (AMV). Mr. Rosillo is also a professor at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Universidad de los Andes. |
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Aristóbulo Bausela Sánchez, Territorial CEO MAPFRE LATAM Degree in Geography and History and Doctorate in Ancient History (University of Oviedo). Mr. Basuela has been part of the MAPFRE team for 32 years, holding the following career path:
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Gabriel Hasson, Vice President, Americas - Investment Stewardship Group (BIS) at BlackRock Gabriel is the Vice President of the Americas on the Investment Stewardship Group at BlackRock (BIS). He is also the Americas team lead on executive compensation, and he spearheads BlakcRock’s Latin America engagement and proxy voting. His work includes engagement with executives and directors of BlackRock’s portfolio companies on matters related to governance, corporate strategy, executive compensation, environmental and social matters, as well as human capital management. Gabriel brings over 20 years of experience at the intersections of governance, policy and law. Most recently as senior strategic adviser at ISS Corporate Solutions, he leveraged his expertise designing, managing and measuring international governance best practices to build long-term value for shareholders. Prior to joining BlackRock, he co-founded a law firm in Mexico where he practiced corporate and M&A law for over 13 years; he also worked at the Atlantic Council and Deloitte Consulting in Washington, DC., advising the US and Mexican governments, as well as other international entities, private sector, and civil society representatives. Gabriel graduated from Universidad Panamericana Law School in 2002 in Guadalajara, and has a master’s degree in International Public Policy from the School of Advanced International Studies in Johns Hopkins, in Washington, DC. He also holds a Corporate Finance Certificate from Cornell University, in New York. |
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Gisélia Silva, Board member at Electronorte; Board member at Amazonas Geração e Transmissão Gisella has a career of more than 20 years of professional experience in the fields of energy, paper, and cellulose sectors. Gisela has participated; It participates in the transition of state energy concessions for private companies, collaborating to break paradigms of management and change of corporate culture. Furthermore, Gisella has been involved, for over 16 years, in the management of the Corporate Legal and Corporate Governance areas of the CPFL group, advising in Corporate Governance issues with the support of the CPFL group international consulting. Gisella also has a career path in academia. She is the co-author of the Corporate Secretary’s Toolkit, material published by the Charted Secretaries International Association - CSIA and the International Finance Corporation - IFC, for the development of Corporate Secretaries in all continents. Moreover, Gisella is a lecturer for Corporate Governance courses and a member of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC). |
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Environmental Information Disclosure by Financial Institutions and Green Bond Issuers |
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Jointly launched by Tsinghua University and the IFC supported Sustainable Banking Network in 2018, the Global Green Finance Leadership Program (GFLP) has successfully held five events and covered more than 600 participants from 59 countries and regions around the world, mostly from the emerging economies. This 110-minute webinar focuses on disclosure by financial institutions and green bond issuers, and is oranized into two sessions. The first session invites experts from financial institutions, such as banks and asset managers, to share their experience in implementing the core elements of the TCFD recommendations, namely the governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. The second session invites green bond issuers, mostly corporates, to share their perspectives on both disclosure and green bond reporting, e.g. use of proceeds and environmental benefits. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Arsalaan Oz Ahmed is an International banker experienced in large capital financing transactions. He is credited with material contributions to the development of the global Sukuk market. Oz has originated and executed multiple first to market Sukuk transactions across the Middle East and Asia including of note the first public Sukuk related to Makkah development, the first non-OIC sovereign Sukuk and the first vaccine Sukuk. In 2018 he oversaw the issuance of the World’s First UN SDG Sukuk issuance for HSBC Amanah Malaysia (awarded Overall, ESG and Country Deal of the Year by IFN as well as Overall, Islamic Deal, Best Sukuk, Most Innovative Deal and Country Deal of the Year by The Asset AAA), and represented a Malaysian mission to the UNGA to discuss Islamic finance and its role in achieving the UN SDGs. In recent years, Oz has distinguished himself as a thought leader in the social and environmental impact sectors within the Banking and Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) community. VBI is an initiative for Malaysian Islamic banks to refocus operations from bottom line to triple bottom line, incorporating social and environmental impact considerations along with economic return. In 2018 he was awarded Islamic Banker of the year by The Asset AAA. |
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Frédéric Samama is the Co-Head Institutional Clients Coverage, Amundi. He joined Amundi in 2009, the leading European Asset Manager. He is the founder of the SWF Research Initiative and co-edited a book on long-term investing alongside Nobel Prize Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and published numerous papers on green finance. Formerly, he oversaw Corporate Equity Derivatives within Credit Agricole Corporate Investment Banking in New York and Paris. During his tenure, he developed and implemented the first international leveraged employee share purchase program, a technology now widely used among French companies. He has advised the French Government in different areas (employee investing mechanisms, market regulation, climate finance, etc.) and has a long track record of innovation at the crossroads of finance and government policy. Over the past few years, his action has been focused on climate change with a mix of financial innovation, research and policy making recommendations, being an advisor of Central Banks, Sovereign Wealth Funds or policy makers on the topic. |
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Tan Ai Chin Chin is currently Managing Director, Senior Banker Client Coverage and Head of Investment Banking, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (OCBC Malaysia). She sits on the Board of several companies within the OCBC Group. Ai Chin has accumulated more than 30 years of experience in a wide array of investment and corporate banking activities. During her initial career with the largest bank in Malaysia, Maybank Group, she was actively involved in spearheading the development of the Islamic Bond (Sukuk) market and the first Sukuk issuance structured by her for Petronas Twin Towers was a landmark and award-winning transaction. OCBC Malaysia pioneered the issuance of the first ASEAN Sustainability SRI Sukuk via Edra Solar Sdn Bhd, a solar plant in Malaysia which is owned by a Chinese SOE. Most recent accolades received by OCBC Malaysia include the IFR Asia Awards – Malaysia Capital Markets Deal Of The Year 2019, Alpha Southeast Asia – Best SRI Sukuk 2019 and Asset Triple A – Best Loan Adviser Deal 2019. |
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GENG Crystal is the group leader and expert, in charge of ESG-driven sustainable development strategy transformation. GENG has successfully established a comprehensive PA model for ESG, which has been a benchmark in China. Including setting up Group ESG Office, building up an integrated ESG management system covering insurance, investment, credit, and technology businesses. So far, Ping An has become the benchmark for Chinese companies' ESG, and has received unanimous affirmation and praise from the industry. For example, PA is the first complete ESG management system for Chinese A-share listed companies; the first asset owner in China joining the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and Climate Action 100+; released China's first TCFD report; For the first time, Ping An was selected into DJSI Sustainability Index (the only financial institution in China); for the first time in three years, Ping An's MSCI ESG rating was upgraded; for the first time, it responded to the CDP questionnaire and received a B-grade (the best in China's financial companies) and so on. |
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Trends in Taxonomy Development and Lessons from Emerging Markets |
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Established in 2012, the IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) (www.ifc.org/sbn), supports members that are banking regulators and banking associations from 39 countries and representing $43 trillion (more than 85%) of the banking assets in emerging markets. SBN members are committed to creating national frameworks that support the advancement of innovative forms of green and sustainability-focused finance. In emerging markets, a growing number of SBN member countries are issuing either lists of eligible sectors and projects or more comprehensive taxonomies that include technical criteria and monitoring guidance. For example, China issued its first Green Bond Taxonomies in 2015 and went on to contribute to approximately 30% of global green bond issuance in 2016. The most recent country to adopt a national green taxonomy is Mongolia, which has been an active member of SBN since 2012. In December 2019, Mongolia completed an extensive consultation to develop a national taxonomy based on the China experience and other international good practices. In this webinar, presenters share latest development insights from key global initiatives, and discuss the Mongolia experience in designing a national taxonomy based on international good practice. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Sean Kidney is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). Sean's projects include a scheme for green bond definitions and certification with $34 trillion of assets represented on its Board and some 200 organizations involved in its development and governance; working with the Chinese central bank on how to grow green bonds in China; an international Green Infrastructure Investment Coalition; and market development programs in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, and East Africa. He was member of the 2017 EU High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance and is a member of its successor, the EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. He is also a member of green finance advisory groups in China, India, Mexico, and Kazakhstan. He has previously been a consultant on green bonds to the United Nations Secretary General, a member of the Peoples Bank of China Green Finance Task Force and a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Expert Committee on Climate Finance. In both 2017 and 2018 he was voted GlobalCapital magazine's "Most Influential Champion" of the sustainable finance market. |
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Nomindari Enkhtur is Advisor to the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Initiative (MSFA). She advises on the development and implementation of a national sustainable finance roadmap, green taxonomy, and sustainable stock exchange index for Mongolia. She was previously CEO of the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association, a first-of-its-kind national institution that aims to bring together various financial sector players to direct investments for real progress in sustainable development. Since 2013, she worked closely with Mongolian banks, policy makers, and international partners to help banks integrate environmental and social considerations into lending decisions and product design. She has also led a number of projects related to green finance mobilization, sustainable finance policy dialogue, capacity building, and awareness raising. For her contribution in sustainable development, she was recognized by the European Commission as one of the Global Young Leaders for Development of 2017. In 2018, she was also selected as one of the 5 young sustainable business innovators by the Business for Peace Foundation. Nomindari holds a master's degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in New York and is a Fulbright Awardee. |
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Oyungerel Munkhbat is Project and Partnership Manager Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association (MSFA). Since taking up her role, she has worked closely with financial institutions, policy makers, and international development and donor organizations in improving sustainable finance development in Mongolia. Oyungerel is responsible for multiple ongoing projects at MSFA such as the Green Taxonomy, Mongolian Green Finance Corporation establishment, Piloting of Energy Efficient Housing Value Chain, and the development of Energy Efficiency Rating Criteria. Prior to MSFA, she worked in the fields of journalism and environmental impact assessment. She holds a BSc Environmental Science from the National University of Mongolia. |
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Louise Gardiner is Africa and Green Bonds Coordinator, Sustainable Banking Network (SBN), IFC. Established in 2012 with support from IFC – part of the World Bank Group – the Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) is a community of financial sector regulators and banking associations from 39 emerging markets with a shared ambition to transform the financial sector towards greater environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability. SBN members now represent over US$43 trillion in banking assets, accounting for more than 85 percent of the total banking assets in emerging markets. Louise has also been a sustainable finance and disclosure consultant with IFC since 2005. She prepared IFC's 2005 Sustainability Report and was part of the core team for IFC's first Integrated Annual Report in 2007. She has worked on a wide range of projects to promote adoption of ESG standards, disclosure, and innovative green finance across the private sector in emerging markets. |
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Meet MALENA: Using Artificial Intelligence to Strengthen Environmental & Social Risk Management |
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IFC has over 15 years' worth of rich environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) data for emerging markets. What if we could efficiently mine that data to make better-informed decisions and strengthen our guidance to IFC investment clients? What if we could move markets by aggregating that data at the sector, sub-sector and country level and share it externally to help de-risk and attract emerging markets investment? And what if we could draw on publicly available Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and other data sources to complement this data? Based on work we've been doing over the past year +, we know it's not a matter of if, but when. And in terms of who? It's MALENA. Developed in partnership with the World Bank Innovation & Technology Lab and IFC, MALENA – Machine Learning ENvironmental (Social & Governance) Analyst – aims to inform IFC's ESG due diligence, enabling us to learn what does and does not work in terms of helping clients manage their ESG risks. Presented by specialists from IFC and the World Bank, this free 1-hour webinar provides an opportunity to learn more about how IFC is using disruptive technologies to strengthen our support to clients and the market. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Atiyah Curmally is a Principal Environmental Specialist with IFC's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department. Her responsibilities include the development of IFC's ESG strategy for public capital markets and support to senior management on global sustainability issues connected to financial markets and corporate governance. Ms. Curmally's prior responsibilities have included overseeing environmental and social investment support to IFC's Financial Markets, Funds and Short-term finance Departments and development of IFC's ESG advice and solutions offerings for financial markets. Her previous work experience includes positions with private-sector and non-profit institutions focused on infrastructure project finance and risk management for financial markets. Ms. Curmally has advanced degrees in Environmental Studies and Economics from Brown University and the London School of Economics. |
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Susan Holleran is a Senior Knowledge Management (KM) Officer with IFC's ESG Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department. Since 2008, she's led a team of high performing KM and learning professionals focused on talent management and learning; web tools and technology; and knowledge products, research and data. Before IFC Ms. Holleran worked for 11 years at Mercer, a global consulting firm, where she led web publishing, KM and communications and marketing for the US corporate legal and research group. At Mercer, her primary responsibility was to manage all aspects of a subscription website, which brought in over US $6 million per year. Ms. Holleran has an MBA from George Washington University and Masters in Public Communications from American University. |
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Carlos Arias is a Senior Enviromental and Social Specialist with IFC's ESG Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department, where he leads the Quality Assurance and Systems team. Mr. Arias is responsible for portfolio environmental and social performance and risk monitoring, updating the ESG risk management system, and supporting ESG management-informed decisions. |
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Pratheep Ponraj is a Senior IT Officer with the World Bank Group Technology & Innovation Lab. At the Innovation Lab, Mr. Ponraj works on several disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial, augmented reality, and more. He is also actively involved in several World Bank Group projects working to apply emerging technologies to solve sector challenges, including in health, education, water, justice sector modernization, wildlife conservation and poaching, agriculture, and disaster recovery. Additionally, he has published a paper on applying technologies to better monitor public sector service delivery to citizens and address governance challenges. |
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Global Map of Environmental and Social Risks in Agro-Commodity Production (GMAP) |
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Agriculture is an important economic sector and source of employment in many emerging markets. In low-income countries, the agricultural sector may account for 60 to 80 percent of total employment and half of a country's gross domestic product. By 2050, there will be two billion more people in the world; a 70 percent increase in global food production will be needed to feed this increase in population. Together International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are helping to support agribusiness firms and banks that finance the agricultural sector to do business in a sustainable way. For many, identifying and managing supply chain risks related to child and forced labor, significant safety risks to supply chain workers, conversion of natural and critical habitats, and loss of biodiversity represents a key challenge. IFC and WWF have developed the Global Map of Environmental & Social Risks in Agro-Commodity Production – GMAP – to streamline and expedite the identification and management of supply chain risks. GMAP is an online tool based on a unique methodology aligned with the supply chain requirements of the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. Using publicly available data, GMAP analyzes environmental and social supply chain risks for approximately 250 country-commodity combinations in emerging markets and facilitates rapid agro-commodity trade financing and sourcing decisions. As of May 2019, GMAP also integrates data from Sustainability Map, developed by International Trade Centre (ITC), allowing users to identify applicable certification schemes covering risks flagged in GMAP. Presented by specialists from IFC, WWF and ITC, this free 1-hour webinar provides an opportunity to explore GMAP and current and forthcoming enhancements to the tool, including the recently added ITC Sustainability Map data. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Susan Holleran is a Senior Knowledge Management (KM) Officer with IFC's ESG Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department. Since 2008, she's led a team of high performing KM and learning professionals focused on talent management and learning; web tools and technology; and knowledge products, research and data. Before IFC Ms. Holleran worked for 11 years at Mercer, a global consulting firm, where she led web publishing, KM and communications and marketing for the US corporate legal and research group. At Mercer, her primary responsibility was to manage all aspects of a subscription website, which brought in over US $6 million per year. Ms. Holleran has an MBA from George Washington University and Masters in Public Communications from American University. |
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Daniel Brizuela is a Senior Program Officer in Private Sector Engagement at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). His work at WWF focuses on corporate sustainability and the analysis of environmental and social impacts of corporate supply chains. In this role he has led or assisted in the development of several methodologies and tools to assist companies and financial institutions better understand the environmental risks and how to manage those risks, including WWF's work with IFC on the development of GMAP, as well as WWF's Supply Risk Analysis and the Water Risk Filter. |
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Regina Taimasova works in the Division of Enterprises and Institutions (DEI) for the Trade for Sustainable Development Programme in Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains section of the International Trade Centre (ITC). She has more than six years of experience in international trade and sustainable development, and is responsible for capacity building for enterprises and trade support institutions on sustainability standards, maintaining the Sustainability Map database, and research. She previously worked at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Trade Policies Review Division and as a consultant on SME export competitiveness for a CBI (the Netherlands) funded programme. Ms. Taimasova holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and MSc Degree in International Economics from Essex University (United Kingdom) and speaks English, French, Italian and Russian. |
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Mathieu Lamolle is Senior Advisor on Sustainability Standards and Value Chains with the International Trade Centre (ITC). He joined ITC in October 2007 and leads the development of the Sustainability Map global repository of sustainability standards, codes of conduct and audit protocols (www.sustainabilitymap.org). He coordinates partnerships with private companies and NGOs on the use of Sustainability Map and provides technical assistance to develop sustainable sourcing strategies, helping companies to integrate sustainability in their supply chains and meet international markets' requirements. Mr. Lamolle has over 15 years of experience in international trade, market access and sustainable development issues. He holds a Master's degree in International Economics and Management from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (SBS) and speaks English, French and Spanish. |
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Creating Green Bond Markets in Africa |
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Globally, as much as $7 trillion a year in investments will be needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. IFC research has identified US$23 trillion in climate-focused investment opportunities alone for 21 emerging-market countries in that time. Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds are new types of bond instruments that facilitate these investments and can help countries to achieve national sustainable development roadmaps. With that in mind, in 2018 the IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking Network (SBN), guided by members and experts from 21 countries and 30 organizations, and in partnership with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), reviewed regulatory efforts in over 22 emerging markets to promote issuance of green and sustainability bonds. This free webinar presents exclusive insights from the report "Creating Green Bond Markets", the most comprehensive review to date of the green bond trend in emerging markets and offering the first practical Green Bond Market Development Toolkit. It features presentations by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) – report co-authors – and the Morocco Capital Market Authority (AMMC) – co-chair of the SBN Green Bond Working Group – on what these findings mean for African countries. It will also explore how African countries can further unlock the shared opportunities in green and inclusive investment across the continent. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Sean Kidney is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). Sean focuses on promoting investment priorities for climate and green bonds, how governments can take advantage of the green bonds market and the development of international collaborations. A regular speaker on climate change and finance, Sean has over the past year spoken at conferences and seminars on six continents. His background is in stakeholder communications, social change strategy and issues marketing. He was previously a marketing advisor to a number of the largest Australian pension funds and an owner of social marketing, web site development and current affairs publishing firms. He serves as a member of the European Commission's Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance; is co-Chair of the India Green Bonds Council; and is a member of the UK Green Finance Task Force. He has provided advice to the People's Bank of China on how to grow green bonds in China; has been a member of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance; and has been a consultant on green bonds to the United Nations Secretary General. Sean also acts as convener of the Green Infrastructure Investment Coalition (GIIC). |
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Yasser Mounsif is Head of Corporate Finance and Financial Disclosure at the AMMC (Moroccan Capital Market Authority). Yasser supervises the approval of issuer prospectuses as well as their compliance with ongoing information obligations. He is also actively involved in many regulatory projects and working groups aimed at market development, such as sustainable finance, where he had a significant contribution in drafting the Moroccan guidelines for Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds. Yasser joined the AMMC in 2008 where he held several positions before being appointed as Head of Corporate Finance and Financial Disclosure. Prior to joining the AMMC, he was responsible for internal auditing at a multinational company. Yasser holds a master's degree in corporate finance from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco). |
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Jennat Benhida is Head of Regulation Unit at the AMMC (Morocco's Capital Market Authority) and an Associate Professor at the Mohammed V University of Rabat. Jennat holds a master's degree in finance as well as a PhD in economics from the Mohammed V University of Rabat in Morocco. Her research interests are in the areas of behavioral finance and financial macroeconomics, and have led to publications in specialized journals. After a first experience as a macroeconomist at the Central Bank of Morocco, she joined the AMMC in 2009 where she held various positions before being appointed head of the regulation unit. Her work is centered on developing new standards for the Moroccan capital market regulation and on monitoring new trends affecting the market, including Fintech and sustainable finance. She is also the AMMC representative in technical committees of international bodies, notably the IOSCO – International Organization of Securities Commissions. |
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Louise Gardiner is Africa and Green Bonds Coordinator, Sustainable Banking Network (SBN), IFC. Established in 2012 with support from IFC – part of the World Bank Group – the Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) is a community of financial sector regulators and banking associations from 35 emerging markets with a shared ambition to transform the financial sector towards greater environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability. SBN members now represent over US$43 trillion in banking assets, accounting for more than 85 percent of the total banking assets in emerging markets. |
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Women in Business Leadership – A Boost to ESG and the Triple Bottom Line |
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In advocating for the value of gender diversity on boards and in senior management, environmental, social and governance (ESG) practitioners frequently cite research illustrating the business benefits, including improved financial performance and shareholder value, rising investor confidence, and enhanced market knowledge and reputation. But does the research really add up? This webinar was conducted with the authors of the IFC publication Women in Business Leadership Boost ESG Performance: Existing Body of Evidence Makes Compelling Case, Prof. Dr. Alexandre Di Miceli da Silveira and Prof. Dr. Angela Donaggio. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review to uncover substantial evidence connecting increased gender diversity in business leadership with enhanced environmental, social and governance standards. They identified equally strong evidence connecting better ESG with stronger corporate performance, building a comprehensive business case for the value of women's participation on boards and in senior management. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Prof. Dr. Alexandre Di Miceli da Silveira is a founding partner of Direzione Management Consulting and full professor of corporate governance and ethics at Alvares Penteado School of Business in Sao Paulo. He is the author of several best-selling books on these topics in Brazil, including The Virtuous Barrel: How to Transform Corporate Scandals into Good Businesses via Behavioral Ethics, Corporate Governance in Brazil and in the World, and Corporate Governance: The Essentials for Leaders. Alexandre has worked on projects related to the improvement of governance practices at more than two dozen major corporations. He is an independent consultant for multilateral institutions such as IFC and OECD and a member of the committee that prepared the Brazilian Code of Best Practices issued by the IBGC. Alexandre has a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in management from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has been a visiting professor at Cornell University and Université Catholique de Louvain. For his contributions to corporate governance in Brazil, Alexandre is the recipient of several prestigious awards. |
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Prof. Dr. Angela Donaggio is a founding partner at Direzione Management Consulting, with vast experience in corporate governance, securities regulation, compliance, risk management and diversity projects involving the improvement of corporate governance models and practices. She is a professor of corporate law and corporate governance at FACAMP, a researcher of the Center for Law, Gender and Identity at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and a lawyer. She is the author of several academic papers on corporate governance, compliance, diversity, corporate law and securities regulation. Angela has a Ph.D. in Corporate Law from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has held visiting researcher positions at the law schools of Harvard and Cornell Universities. She has a master's degree in Business Law and Social and Political Development from the Getulio Vargas Foundation. |
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Introduction to the Good Practice Note on Managing Risks Associated with Modern Slavery |
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In recent years, the issue of modern slavery has come increasingly under the spotlight including among investors and private sector companies. This has been driven by a greater understanding of the scale and scope of the issue, policy debates including national modern slavery legislation, the inclusion of a target to end modern slavery in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and heightened scrutiny from media and civil society. The private sector is also more aware of the business implications of failing to manage modern slavery risks, as well as the positive effects around reduced business risk, continuity of operations, access to markets and increased worker productivity. Presented by IFC in collaboration with its partners that jointly supported the development of this note (CDC Group, EBRD, and DFID), this webinar provides an introduction and overview of the recently developed Good Practice Note, Managing Risks Associated with Modern Slavery. This GPN aims to provide an understanding of why action is necessary, how to manage and address issues, and the need for cooperation with others. The webinar will provide an overview of modern slavery as it relates to international norms and standards, key drivers and the business case for addressing modern slavery risks, and will discuss practical guidance and present tools on how to assess, mitigate and remediate modern slavery risks. The GPN is of relevance and practical use for two main audiences, investors and companies. Among these the guidance targets DFIs, banks, private equity firms and other financial institutions that provide capital to private companies in emerging markets, as well as companies operating across sectors. For the latter, the GPN can serve a range of company functions, including management, human resources, sustainability and procurement. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Cindy Berman is Head of Modern Slavery Strategy for Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). She is a recognized expert on modern slavery in global supply chains. With Ergon Associates, she is the co-author of the IFC/CDC/EBRD/DFID Good Practice Guidance Note on Modern Slavery for development finance institutions. She led the development of ETI's Human Rights Due Diligence Framework and ETI's Base Code Guidance Reports on Modern Slavery and Child Labour, and has co-authored two research studies with Hult/Ashridge Business School, amongst other reports. Cindy sits on a number of international expert groups and advisory panels, including the UNOHCHR, OSCE, ILO 8.7, UK Modern Slavery in International Supply Chains Advisory Group, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Modern Slavery Registry, and is involved in a number of collaborative research programs. Cindy spent ten years at the UK Department for International Development where she led and developed DFID's flagship modern slavery program, Work in Freedom, to prevent forced and child labor for 10,000 women and girls from South Asia and the Gulf States. She was DFID's Asia Regional Senior Social Development Advisor responsible for policy advisory support and regional programs in Asia as well as East Africa and also developed DFID's Social Exclusion Policy. She is also a Southern Africa specialist, having grown up in South Africa, lived and worked in the region for many years. Prior to joining ETI, Cindy worked for the ILO for 3.5 years as Senior Policy Advisor at the ILO UN Liaison Office in New York, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Christian Aid and other non-governmental bodies. |
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Introducing the Good Practice Handbook on Environmental Flows for Hydropower Projects |
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In response to a growing interest for hydropower companies in emerging markets to invest upfront in robust social and environmental risk assessment systems, IFC is developing a host of resources for private sector companies to help them develop the capacity for assessing those risks. The Webinar Series on Sustainable Hydropower will showcase these resources, starting with the recently released Good Practice Handbook on Environmental Flows for Hydropower Projects. Ensuring suitable environmental flows downstream of hydropower projects is critical to protecting freshwater ecosystems and providing for community needs, but to-date there has been limited understanding of the appropriate types and level of assessment. Developed in collaboration with the World Bank, the Good Practice Handbook on Environmental Flows for Hydropower Projects, provides guidance to practitioners on determining a project's environmental flow commitments through a rigorous assessment of impacts on downstream river ecosystems and people. This free one-hour webinar provides an introduction to the Handbook, facilitated by Pablo Cardinale, IFC Principal Environmental Specialist, and presented by Cate Brown, Director and Senior Consultant at Southern Waters Ecological Research and Consulting. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Cate Brown is Director and Senior Consultant at Southern Waters Ecological Research and Consulting. She is an Aquatic Ecologist and Integrated Environmental Flow Practitioner. |
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Pablo Cardinale is a Principal Environmental Specialist at IFC with over 20 years of experience managing environmental and social risk in infrastructure projects, with special emphasis on renewable energy. |
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Women on Boards and in Business Leadership: Navigating Stereotyping and Unconscious Bias in the Workplace |
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Studies show that female talent is among the least utilized economic and business resources around the world. Making even small inroads in closing the global gender gap could quickly yield strong results, with the potential to increase global gross domestic product by $5.3 trillion over the next seven years, according to a 2017 report from the World Economic Forum. For listed companies, failure to capitalize on these resources—for example, by adding more women to their boards and ranks of senior leadership—represents a substantial opportunity cost. IFC's Corporate Governance Group is promoting the business case for more women on boards and in senior leadership by building capacity, raising awareness, reporting on the benefits of board diversity, and expanding the pipeline. Presented by Corporate Governance Trainer, Brenda Bowman, this free 1-hour webinar provides an opportunity to share ideas and discuss:
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Brenda Bowman is an expert in adult learning, curricula development and workshop design, leadership-coaching and building the capacity of boards. She leads conferences and workshops on Governance throughout the world for bankers, entrepreneurs, leaders of Non-Government Organizations and Faith- Based Organizations, government officials, corporate executives and boards of directors. She has been a master trainer for the IFC Corporate Governance Group faculty since 2007. In Training of Trainers workshops, she presents the theory and practice of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Experiential Learning. Her innovative approaches link the experience of adult learners with intellectual comprehension, thus creating new knowledge and leading to high levels of performance and leadership. She specializes in building the capacity of training institutions, advising on a sustainable business approach to program development, the training of trainers and the development of materials. She co-authored the IFC's Corporate Secretary's Manual and has helped develop IFC's training modules for the Women on Boards and Business Leadership Program. Brenda has directed capacity building programs in Africa for USAID, UNDP and the United States Peace Corps, specializing in strategic planning, program management, and organizational development. She has also evaluated health and education programs for not-for-profit organizations. Her recent consultancies have focused on Women on Boards and Leadership, Supportive Supervision, and a culture of Restorative Justice within large organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree from Makerere University in Uganda and a Masters in Applied Linguistics (M.Sc.) from Edinburgh University, Scotland. |
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Managing Contractors' Environmental and Social Performance – An Overview of IFC's Good Practice Note |
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Companies are frequently challenged at managing the environmental, social and health and safety performance of their contractors and subcontractors. This is mainly due to the need for better integration of environmental and social (E&S) issues into contractor and subcontractor procurement and management and/or a need for a better understanding of the application of a risk-based approach to contractor management. Presented by IFC's EMENA (Europe, Middle East and North Africa) regional team lead, Raymi Beltran, this free 1-hour webinar provides an introduction and overview of the recently developed Good Practice Note (GPN) on Managing Contractors' Environmental and Social Performance. This GPN is aimed at helping clients implement sound, consistent, and effective approaches to manage the E&S performance of their contractors, subcontractors, and other third parties working for their projects. The webinar will also discuss practical guidance on the processes of prequalification, solicitation, evaluation, contracting, and procurement to ensure adequate E&S management in line with IFC Performance Standards, during construction, operation, and demobilization activities. |
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Raymi Beltran is a Senior Environmental Specialist and Regional Team Lead for IFC's ESG Department, based in Istanbul, Turkey. He has over 18 years of experience in environmental and social management working on oil, gas, mining and infrastructure projects in Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Raymi has been with IFC for eight years, working closely with private sector companies in assuring compliance with IFC's Environmental & Social Performance Standards (PSs), Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, and adopting Good International Industry Practices. His prior experience includes several years in environmental engineering consultancy in the United States as well as private sector work for large oil, gas and mining companies in Peru and Chile. |
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Introducing the Good Practice Notes on Life and Fire Safety for Hotels and Hospitals |
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Adequate life and fire safety (L&FS) provisions in buildings accessible to the public are critical to protect occupants in case of an emergency. Hotels and hospitals pose a particular challenge, as occupants are often unfamiliar with the building, or unable to evacuate on their own. Presented by Elena Chuzhakova (IFC), Luis Cestari (IFC), and Ralf Bruyninckx (FPC Risk), this free 1-hour webinar provides an overview of IFC's two new L&FS resources, IFC Life and Fire Safety: Hospitals and IFC Life and Fire Safety: Hotels. These good practice notes are not intended as compliance guides or substitutes for IFC's core L&FS requirements. Rather, they have been developed as technical references to clarify key L&FS design criteria and operational requirements for aligning new and existing facilities with good international industry practice. This webinar aims to:
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Elena Chuzhakova is a Senior Environmental Specialist with IFC's Environment, Social and Governance Department, based in Moscow. She is responsible for the environmental, health and safety appraisal and monitoring of investment projects. For five years, from 2012-2017, Elena acted as Global Environmental and Social (E&S) Sector Lead for IFC's Services projects (health care, education, tourism and retail), focusing on the L&FS aspects of these investments. In 2011, Elena completed a Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Management Course with the UK's National Fire Protection Association. By education, Elena is an environmental engineer and graduated from the Russian University of Chemical Technology. Prior to joining IFC in 2005, Elena worked as a consultant specializing in solid waste management. Elena is also a certified ISO 14001 auditor. |
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Luis Cestari is a Consultant with IFC's Environment, Social and Governance Department, based in Washington, D.C. Luis has a Master's of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and over 25 years of experience as a life and fire safety engineer. His experience includes heavy industry (power, utility, oil and gas, military), architectural and engineering business processes, operational risk assessments, project management, operational health and safety, security and emergency response planning. In addition, Luis is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and is a professional member and technical instructor for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. |
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Ralf Bruyninckx is the CEO of FPC Risk, responsible for the overall management of FPC Risk and Global Business Development. He began his career as a fire risk engineer in 1998 and combines an engineering degree with a business background. His primary expertise is in fire risk analysis and performance-based design. Ralf was the first European to graduate from the Fire Safety Master Program at Worcester Polytechnic University in the United States and is a strong advocate of innovative thinking. |
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Behind the Boardroom Doors – Improving Board Functioning by Leveraging Behaviors and Personality Types |
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IFC's Corporate Governance Group promotes board efficiency across emerging markets as part of its agenda to help our clients do business in a sustainable way. While the board ultimately speaks with one voice, behind the boardroom doors board members are expected to express their individual opinions. Board functioning is therefore necessarily impacted by the personality of each of its individual board members. Presented by seasoned board director and corporate governance advisor, Richard Westlake on August 29, 2017, this free one-hour webinar explored the diversity of personality and behavior as a factor influencing board composition. This webinar considered questions including how to recognize different personality phenotypes, how diverse personalities can enhance rather than hinder board functioning, and how to prevent and resolve personality clashes. |
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Richard Westlake, MA (Oxon), AFInstD is based in New Zealand, where he established Westlake Governance, an international governance advisory business, in 1999. He has more than 20 years of experience as a board chair and director, currently chairing several boards in different sectors. Richard has worked in the banking industry for more than three decades and is the author of Focus 11 "Guidance for the Directors of Banks," published by IFC in 2013. Richard is a highly sought after trainer and facilitator for boards, directors and chairs in New Zealand and internationally. He leads governance development programs in many regions, including South and East Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the Pacific. Richard is a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors (CFInstD), with over 20 years' experience as a Director and Board Chairman, and currently chairs Careerforce, the Industry Training Organisation serving New Zealand's health, disability and aged care workforce. Richard is the first independent director of the Dairy Goat Co-Operative (NZ) Ltd, the world's leading exporter of goat's milk infant formula, and a director of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the main banks in the Philippines. Among previous roles, Richard chaired software company Intergen Limited, and was a founding director of Kiwibank Limited for ten years from 2001, where he chaired the board's Finance, Audit & Risk Committee. He was Chair of Standards New Zealand from 2003-2010, Establishment Chairman for two State-Owned Enterprises, MetService and Quotable Value, and has chaired and served on the boards of several other companies, government-owned entities and NGOs. Richard's executive roles have included five years as Chief Executive of a regional bank in New Zealand, Interim Chief Executive of a regional council, and four years as Chief Operating Officer for the New Zealand of a leading British bank. Much of Richard's earlier career experience came through fifteen years' merchant banking in New Zealand and Australia. |
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Practical Guidance on Conducting Environmental & Social (E&S) Due Diligence Aligned with the IFC Performance Standards for Financial Intermediaries |
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Presented by Emiola Abass on June 12, 2017, Environmental and Social Development Specialist at IFC, this free one-hour webinar provides guidance to financial intermediaries on conducting E&S due diligence against the IFC Performance Standards. This webinar is designed for E&S officers and relationship officers of financial intermediaries. The session includes an overview of the IFC Performance Standards and an introduction to E&S risk management for financial intermediaries, including IFC's Interpretation Note on Financial Intermediaries.
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Emiola Abass is an Environmental and Social Development Specialist at the International Finance Corporation. She focuses on financial intermediaries and also works on infrastructure, chemicals, and agribusiness projects. Prior to joining IFC, Emiola worked with Leadbank Nigeria, Total E&P Nigeria, and ABB Consulting UK. As a Process Engineer with Total, she worked on process design and optimization as well as project development for Total's offshore assets in the Niger Delta. At ABB, she worked on environmental assessment/compliance and process safety projects within and outside the UK for clients in various industries including oil and gas, chemicals, food and beverage, power, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. Emiola has an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London, England and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. |
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Introduction to IFC's Good Practice Handbook on Use of Security Forces |
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Presented to a live audience on June 1, 2017 by Felicity Kolp, this webinar provides an overview of IFC's new resource, Use of Security Forces: Assessing and Managing Risks and Impacts. This good practice handbook is designed for IFC clients and other private sector companies and their consultants. It provides practical, project-level guidance for companies to better understand and implement the requirements outlined in Performance Standard 4, including risk assessment and management, private and public security, and assessing allegations or incidents. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Felicity Kolp is a Social Development Specialist in IFC's Environment, Social and Corporate Governance Department in Washington, DC. She works on a range of social topics at IFC and is a focal point for human rights issues. She manages the department's work program on Performance Standard 4 / security issues, and represents IFC as an Observer at the Association of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. She led the creation of the good practice handbook on the Use of Security Forces: Assessing and Managing Risks and Impacts, which was developed by IFC in collaboration with the Fund for Peace and Monkey Forest Consulting. Felicity has a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, master's degrees in International Development Policy and International Human Rights Law from Duke and Oxford Universities, and an AB from Dartmouth College. |
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GMAP - Global Map of Environmental and Social Risks in Agro-Commodity Production |
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Together with WWF, we are pleased to launch as an online resource the Global Map of Environmental & Social Risk in Agro-commodity Production (GMAP). Agriculture is an important economic sector and source of employment in many emerging markets. In low-income countries, the agricultural sector may account for 60 to 80 percent of total employment and half of a country's gross domestic product. By 2050, there will be two billion more people in the world; a 70 percent increase in global food production will be needed to feed this increase in population. The IFC and WWF are helping to support agribusiness firms and banks that finance the agricultural sector to conduct business in a more sustainable manner. For many, identifying and managing supply chain risks related to child and forced labor, health and safety, land conversion and loss of biodiversity represent key challenges. GMAP responds to these challenges by expediting the identification and management of supply chain risks and aligns with the requirements of the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. Using publically available (and referenced) data, GMAP analyzes environmental and social supply chain risks for 250 country-commodity combinations in emerging markets and facilitates decision making for agro-commodity trade financing and product sourcing. |
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Atiyah Curmally is a Principal Environmental Specialist at IFC. |
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Louis Philippe Mousseau is a Principal Environmental Specialist at IFC |
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Dan Brizuela is a Senior Program officer at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - U.S. |
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Building Your Board: Finding the Right Talent at the Right Cost |
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Presented to a live audience on April 13, 2016 by Marc G. Lamy, this webinar explored the latest trends in board composition as well as how to find and remunerate an independent director. A strong, independent and effective board is a critical factor in the success of every organization. As they try to identify fully independent directors, companies across the world are confronted with the same questions:
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Marc G. Lamy, A member of IFC's Private Sector Advisory Group Marc has 30 years of experience in searches for CEOs and board members, at Korn-Ferry-International, Heidrick & Struggles and at Boyden France where he was the Chairman and CEO from 1993 to 2010. In 2008, he was named by Business Week as among the World's 100 most influential head hunters. Marc has more than 25 years of experience as a board director in France, Morocco and the US. He is currently on the board of Alliances (Moroccan listed company) where he chairs the audit committee and sits on its Remuneration and Nomination Committee, NEOMA Business School (merger of the French Rouen Business School and Reims Management School) and NGOs in France and Morocco. Marc has also spent more than 10 years in banking, both in Europe and in the United States, with Crédit Industriel et Commercial and then with Crédit Agricole as deputy general manager of the first foreign branch of Crédit Agricole, which he created in Chicago. Marc is a founding member of the French Institute of Directors (IFA), has authored several reports on the work of Nomination and Remuneration Committees and a book "Do you have the Boss that you deserve?" He was an associate professor at Paris-Dauphine from 1983 and 2011. Marc holds a degree from the Rouen Business School (France), an MBA from Columbia Business School (New York) and is a chartered director from IFA & Sciences Po. |
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Get up to speed on the revised Wind Energy EHS Guidelines |
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Presented to a live audience on March 16, 2016 by Sean Whittaker, Gaël Grégoire, Lori Conzo and Greg McAlister (SgurrEnergy), this interactive session on the Wind Energy Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines was intended to support capacity building of E&S Specialists in their due diligence of Wind Energy projects. The session focused on providing an overview of the revised (2015) Wind Energy EHS Guidelines and explaining the key changes in the document, including:
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Sean Whittaker is a Renewable Energy Specialist working on technical due diligence of IFC wind investments. |
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Gaël Grégoire a Senior Policy Officer at IFC where his responsibilities include the revision of the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines. |
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Lori Anna Conzo is an IFC Senior Environmental Specialist and Biodiversity Focal Point who works across the regions and sectors on biodiversity-related issues. |
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Greg McAllister is the Environment Team Leader at SgurrEnergy responsible for management of due diligence and environmental and social impact assessment assignments in Europe, Africa and Asia. |
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Findings from the Report "Private Equity and Emerging Markets Agribusiness: Building Value Through Sustainability" |
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Agribusiness is one of the key industries that in many emerging markets has been neglected by investors for years. Private equity funds can bring stable and patient growth capital to agribusinesses that may struggle to access finance. The diverse set of environmental and social issues that come into play in agribusiness can be viewed simultaneously as both risks and opportunities. Presented to a live audience on July 16, 2015, by Mark Eckstein (Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility, CDC Group), Joshua Levin (Senior Program Officer in Finance & Commodities, WWF), Nadiya Satyamurthy (Senior Director of Consulting Services, EMPEA), and Piotr Mazurkiewicz (Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist, IFC), this one hour webinar discussed findings from the recently launched "Private Equity and Emerging Markets Agribusiness: Building Value Through Sustainability" report. It examined how this report could be useful to fund managers, as well as to companies active in the agribusiness space to build value through good environmental and social performance.
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| About the Presenters: | |
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Mark Eckstein is Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility at CDC Group where his responsibilities include oversight and management of E&S issues across CDC's Funds and Debt Portfolios. Prior to CDC, Mark led the Sustainable Finance team at WWF US and was also part of the environment and social risk management group at the International Finance Corporation, where he focused on the agribusiness sector. He has worked on the development of a range of international voluntary sustainability standards and good practice materials for agricultural companies and investors. |
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Joshua Levin is a Senior Program Officer in Finance & Commodities at the World Wildlife Fund. He leads WWF's global efforts to engage financial institutions on emerging opportunities, risks, and intelligence related to investing in global food and agri commodities. In the past, he has worked with the Rainforest Alliance, Root Capital, EcoAgriculture Partners, and Conservation International in various capacities. He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was a Catherine B. Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship, and a BA from Harvard University. |
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Nadiya Satyamurthy is the Senior Director of Consulting Services at EMPEA, where she authors content on behalf of the organization and member firms by leveraging EMPEA's data program and engaging with industry stakeholders. Nadiya has led a number of research projects focused on institutional investors in private equity, including EMPEA's Global Limited Partners Survey, Special Report on Asian LP Sentiment toward Private Equity, the EMPEA Insight on Local Pension Capital in Latin America, and Pension Funds and Private Equity: Unlocking Africa's Potential in partnership with Making Finance Work for Africa and The Commonwealth. Nadiya previously served as Senior Director of EMPEA's Research Department where she was lead manager of the organization's research and data portfolio. Prior to joining EMPEA, Nadiya worked as a Public Finance Fixed Income Associate at UBS Investment Bank and Merrill Lynch. She also previously served as a Senior International Business Associate for MASA, Inc., an international consulting firm focused on structuring strategic international partnerships and devising solutions for startups interested in raising capital. |
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Piotr Mazurkiewicz is a Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist at IFC, and is responsible for E&S risk management in IFC's FI projects in the Asia and Pacific region. Piotr played a key role in the development and revision of IFC's Policy and Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, which are the foundation of IFC's commitment and approach to sustainable investment. He has over 18 years of experience working in development community (UNDP, World Bank, IFC) and 5 years in the private sector. Piotr holds MA and Ph.D. in developmental economics from the Warsaw University. |
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| Corporate Governance: The Evolving Role of Corporate Secretaries | |
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The role of corporate secretary is changing – almost daily, it seems – as corporate governance standards and rules become ever more demanding and rigorous. Presented by Ken Rushton on May 19, 2015 to a live audience, this one hour webinar examined how the role of company secretary in a number of companies in developed markets has grown from being an administrative or compliance officer of the board to become chief of staff to the Chairman and adviser to the board on governance. Ken drew on research published last year by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and his own experience as a former company secretary of ICI to describe the breadth of responsibilities and the opportunities for greater engagement and influence of a high performing company secretary. He outlined the qualities now expected of a successful company secretary and suggest how some of these can be gained or learned. He also commented on some of the challenges to the role such as retaining independence and trust while managing potential conflicts from serving two masters; the pros and cons of combining the role with that of General Counsel; and the lack of recognition for the role in many emerging markets. Ken questioned how well company secretaries are prepared for meeting these challenges. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Ken Rushton joined Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in 1968 after graduating in law from Trinity College, Dublin. After a career in the company secretarial function of many of ICI's Divisions in the UK, he was appointed Company Secretary in 1996. He took early retirement at the end of 1999 to take up the position of Director of the Institute of Business Ethics. In 2001, he was appointed to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as Director of Listing and Head of the UK Listing Authority. From 2004 he was responsible for directing the review of the UK Listing regime. Ken retired from the FSA at the end of 2004 and was an advisor on corporate governance to the Financial Reporting Council in 2005-06 and to Nestor Advisors, a corporate governance consultancy, from 2005 to 2010 where he led engagements with emerging market companies, financial institutions, central banks and capital markets regulators, particularly in the MENA region. He is Senior Consultant for Board Insight, a corporate governance consultancy, where he focuses on board evaluations. As a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group pf the Global Corporate Governance Forum, Ken has led workshops, spoken at conferences and advised regulators on company law, securities laws and corporate governance codes and their enforcement in many parts of the world including the MENA region, Asia, Central Europe, North and West Africa Ken was formerly a member of the Department of Trade and Industry's Company Law Review Consultative Committee. He was also a member of the CBI Companies Committee and the equivalent committee in UNICE (now Business Europe). He represented the European Round Table on the OECD Task Force on Corporate Governance. Ken is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is also a member of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a trustee of the Institute of Business Ethics. He is the editor of "The Business Case for Corporate Governance" (Cambridge University Press). |
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| Environmental and Social Management Systems and Tools for Financial Institutions Financing SMEs | |
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Presented by IFC expert Sandra Abiola on April 9, 2015, this one hour webinar offered an overview of the business case for sound environmental and social risk management. It focused on Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) and E&S due diligence tools for financial institutions providing financing to SMEs, and discussed practical solutions to implementation challenges commonly faced by financial institutions in this area. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Sandra Abiola is the Sector Lead Financial Markets, in IFC's Transactional Risk Solutions - Environment, Social and Governance Department, based in Johannesburg South Africa. She is responsible for IFC's team of E&S Specialists working with Financial Institutions on E&S risk management globally. Sandra has a Master in Development Economics and Middle East Studies from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and a MA in politics, law and economics from the University of Mainz, Germany. She is a social and environmental development specialist with extensive experience on E&S risk management by financial institutions and E&S issue in rural development and agricultural projects. |
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Corporate Governance of Family Business |
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It's no secret that family businesses have a tremendous impact on the global economy and that they come in all shapes and sizes. But family businesses also face unique challenges:
So the question is: how can a family successfully preserve wealth for more than 100 years or at least four generations? In this one hour webinar presented on March 31, 2015, Shanti Poesposoetjipto examined the characteristics of family businesses and provided guidance on how to ensure their longevity. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Mrs. Shanti Poesposoetjipto graduated from Munich University of Technology, Germany, majoring in Electronic Engineering specialized in Computer Science in 1974. She then attended various Management advanced courses conducted by PPM and FEUI (Jakarta), AIT (Bangkok), AIM (Manila), Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School, University of Southern California, MIT, IMEDE, INSEAD, etc. She began her career at Soedarpo Corporation which was founded by her father Soedarpo Sastrosatomo in 1952, as the Manager of Soedarpo Service Bureau, selling computer integrated services. In 1985-1988, Shanti led the re-engineering process within Soedarpo Corporation to focus its business in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and distribution of Pharmaceutical products. In her capacity as Executive Vice President, she enabled Soedarpo Corporation to move towards its Initial Public Offering in 1990. In June 1995, Mr. Sastrosatomo established PT Ngrumat Bondo Utomo (NBU) to initiate facilitation in separating Ownership and the Management of the companies he founded. NBU, thereafter became among others one of the major shareholders of PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk., PT Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, and PT Asuransi Bintang Tbk. Currently Shanti is CEO of NBU and PT Samudera Indonesia Tangguh, Chairman of PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk. and PT Asuransi Bintang Tbk.; member of the Board of Commissioner of PT Inter Pariwara Global. In 2008, she co-founded and became member of the Board of Directors, Family Business Network (FBN) Asia. In 2014, she co-founded and became the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fitrah Business Nusantara Foundation (Yayasan Fitrah Bisnis Keluarga Nusantara). Her interest in family business related issues began when her father asked her to consult how to separate Ownership and Management of the Companies he founded in the early 1980s. She became involved with IPPM in 1985 during the research IPPM conducted on Family Businesses in Indonesia, she moderated a workshop held by IPPM led by John Davies on Family Business in 1986, she guest lectured about Managing Change in Family Owned Company at IPMI, PERMANIN (Indonesian Management Association), University of Gadjah Mada, Institute of Technology Bandung, Petra University, CAMPDEN Conferences in Singapore, Daya Dimensi Indonesia etc. Mrs. Poesposoetjipto is a member of IFC Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG). |
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Corporate Governance: Keeping Strategy at the Top of the Agenda |
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Today's Boards of Directors are under more pressure from more sources than ever before. In this engaging one-hour webinar presented on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, renowned "governance guru" Professor David Beatty examined a number of controversial topics such as understanding how we spend our time as directors, what CEOs think of their directors, what McKinsey thinks of boards, what role activists play, the impact of High Frequency Trading, and finally, the coming digital tsunami of change. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Professor David Beatty is a member of the Order of Canada, the top civil award in the nation. He is an experienced businessman in Canada and abroad. He spent a decade managing one of North America's largest food companies and serves on the boards of two publicly listed companies and two private family companies. Over his career he has served on 35 different boards and been chairman of six public companies in Canada, America, Mexico, Australia, and England. He was named a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors in May 2005. Beatty was the founding managing director of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, an organization that represents 50 institutional investors with approximately C$1.3 trillion of assets under management. Beatty is a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management where he teaches corporate strategy and where he directs Canada's Directors Education Program now in its 110th offering. He served on Peter Drucker's Foundation Board in the United States for over a decade, the last few years as vice chairman. Beatty was educated at the Universities of Toronto and Cambridge, England. He was named a Nuffield Fellow and spent two years in the Planning Ministry of the Government of Tanzania before returning to Toronto to join McKinsey & Company. He later was a founding partner of The Canada Consulting Group, now part of The Boston Consulting Group. Queen Elizabeth II inducted Beatty as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1994 at Buckingham Palace for his service to Papua New Guinea where he served as the Chief economic Planner during the transition from colonial government to independence. He has also been awarded the Papua New Guinea Independence medal and the Papua New Guinea Independence 30th Anniversary Commemorative medal. |
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Las Normas de Desempeño de la IFC 101 |
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El Marco de Sostenibilidad de la IFC ayuda a sus clientes a realizar negocios en una manera sostenible; promueve prácticas ambientales y sociales sólidas, fomenta la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, y contribuye a impactos de desarrollo positivos. Las Normas de Desempeño de la IFC, las cuales forman parte del Marco de Sostenibilidad, se han convertido en un punto de referencia global para la gestión de riesgos ambientales y sociales. Presentado por el experto de la IFC Reidar Kvam el 13 de noviembre de 2014 a una audiencia en vivo, la grabación de este seminario web provee una introducción a cada una de las Normas de Desempeño y a cómo éstas abordan desafíos cada vez más importantes para los negocios sostenibles, incluyendo el trabajo y las condiciones de trabajo, los grupos interesados (stakeholders), la gestión de la cadena de suministro, eficiencia de los recursos y el cambio climático. |
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| Sobre el Presentador: | |
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Reidar Kvam es Gerente Senior de la Unidad de Política, Garantía de Calidad y Gestión del Conocimiento del Departamento de Medio Ambiente, Desarrollo Social y Gobierno Corporativo de la IFC en Washington, D.C. Es responsable del desarrollo y administración de las políticas de sostenibilidad de la IFC, incluyendo el relacionamiento con el Banco Mundial, las Instituciones Financieras de Principios de Ecuador, Agencias de Crédito a la Exportación, Instituciones Financieras de Desarrollo y sociedad civil. También es responsable de la supervisión de la Unidad de Garantía de Calidad y Análisis de Cartera. Reidar tiene un Ph.D. en Antropología Social de la Universidad de Bergen, Noruega. Es un científico social con amplia experiencia operativa en proyectos de desarrollo en América Latina, Asia Oriental, Asia del Sur y áfrica. Su trabajo se ha centrado particularmente en la incorporación de la dimensión social a los proyectos de desarrollo. Es uno de los autores principales del marco de análisis social del Banco Mundial, que aborda temas de diversidad social y de género; instituciones formales e informales; grupos interesadas y participación; y riesgo social. Ha sido miembro del consejo sectorial del Banco Mundial sobre cuestiones de género, y ha sido punto focal y coordinador de iniciativas relacionadas con el empoderamiento y los derechos humanos. Antes de unirse al IFC, Reidar era Consejero Regional de Salvaguardias para la región de América Latina y el Caribe del Banco Mundial, coordinando tareas de supervisión y garantía de calidad, trabajo analítico y creación de capacidad relacionada con las políticas ambientales y sociales del Banco. |
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IFC Helps Companies Improve Corporate Governance to Operate More Profitably and Grow |
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Corporate governance is defined as the structures and processes by which companies are directed and controlled. Good corporate governance helps companies operate more efficiently, improve access to capital, mitigate risk and safeguard against mismanagement. It makes companies more accountable and transparent to investors and gives them the tools to respond to stakeholder concerns. Corporate governance also contributes to development. Increased access to capital encourages new investments, boosts economic growth, and provides employment opportunities. IFC's Corporate Governance Methodology is a system of evaluating corporate governance risks and opportunities of client companies. IFC is the first development finance institution to require corporate governance analysis of every investment transaction as part of its due diligence process. This Methodology has been the basis of a unified set of tools known as the Corporate Governance Development Framework, which has been adopted by 33 development finance institutions, including IFC, thus far. By adopting a unified approach, the development finance institutions hope to set consistent standards for corporate governance due diligence and advance the business case for good corporate governance. Presented by IFC expert Roman Zyla on May 19, 2014 to a live audience, this recorded webinar provides an overview of the five key corporate governance issues to look for when assessing a company's commitment to corporate governance. It will also provide an overview of the Framework and how it aims to help development finance institutions assess the quality of corporate governance at the companies in which they invest.
Additional resources mentioned in the webinar: |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Roman Zyla joined IFC in 2002 as Manager of the Ukraine Corporate Development Project in the Kyiv office. He has extensive experience working with financial institutions, family-owned companies, and state-owned enterprises. He has 15 years of experience in risk research, small enterprise and corporate development, and has served as a board member of a family-run company. He is a specialist in transition economies of the former Soviet Union and business development. Roman holds a PhD from University College, University of London on the subject of small and medium enterprise development. With experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, he has also worked throughout Eastern and Central Europe, Central Asia as well as in East Asia, Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America. A Canadian, Roman is fluent in English, French and Ukrainian and has knowledge of other languages to help in his work. Currently based in Washington, D.C., he will relocate to Johannesburg in July 2014. |
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World Bank Group Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Guidelines 101 |
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The World Bank Group (WBG) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), as defined in IFC's Performance Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention. They contain the performance levels and measures that are normally acceptable to the World Bank Group, and that are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities at reasonable costs by existing technology. They are used by the World Bank, IFC and MIGA. Presented by IFC expert Gaël Grégoire on March 25, 2014 to a live audience, this recorded webinar provides a general introduction and overview of the EHS Guidelines. In particular, Gaël addresses the following:
Additional resources mentioned in the webinar: |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Gaël Grégoire is a Senior Policy Officer for Sustainability in the International Finance Corporation's Environment, Social and Governance Department in Washington D.C. He is responsible for coordinating the review and update of the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines and providing support to senior management on global sustainability issues and development. Before joining IFC, Gaël, an 'Ecole des Mines' graduate, was a Senior Environmental Specialist in the World Bank's Middle East and North Africa Region where he managed a portfolio of lending and analytical activities with a focus on energy, environment and global commons, and provided safeguards expertise. Gaël's career in the World Bank Group includes Regional Carbon Finance Coordinator and Project Officer for the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program. Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Gaël worked as Environment and Energy Attaché at the Embassy of France in Washington DC, as a Senior Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at the French Environmental Protection Agency and as an Environmental Engineer for one of the world's largest producer of electricity and for several multinational oil and gas companies. |
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IFC Performance Standards 101 |
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IFC Sustainability Framework helps its clients do business in a sustainable way. It promotes sound environmental and social practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector. Presented by IFC expert Reidar Kvam on February 25, 2014 to a live audience, this recorded webinar provides an overview of each of the Performance Standards and how they address challenging issues that are increasingly important to sustainable businesses, including labor and working conditions, stakeholder engagement, supply chain management, resource efficiency, and climate change. |
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| About the Presenter: | |
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Reidar Kvam is Senior Manager, Policy, Quality Assurance & Knowledge Management, in IFC's Environment, Social and Governance Department in Washington D.C. He is responsible for the development and stewardship of IFC's sustainability policies, including engagement with the World Bank, Equator Principles Financial Institutions, Export Credit Agencies, Development Financial Institutions and civil society. He is also responsible for the oversight of the Quality Assurance and Portfolio Analysis unit. Reidar has a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of Bergen, Norway. He is a social scientist with extensive operational experience in development projects from Latin America, East Asia, South Asia, and Africa. His work has particularly focused on incorporating social dimensions into development projects. He is one of the lead authors of the World Bank's framework on social analysis, which addresses issues of social diversity and gender; formal and informal institutions; stakeholders and participation; and social risk. He has been a member of the World Bank's sector board on gender issues, and has been a focal point and coordinator for work on empowerment and human rights. Prior to joining the IFC he was Regional Safeguards Adviser for the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the World Bank, coordinating oversight functions and quality assurance, analytical work, and capacity building related to the Bank's environmental and social policies. |
