09:30 GST
Opening remarks
09:40 GST
Welcome address
10:00 GST
Panel: The emergence of the region as a hub for sustainable & transition finance
- Assessing what transition means in the gulf context – how does this differ to other regions?
- What does responsible decarbonisation look like? What are the biggest challenges?
- How do all sectors/industries fit into government net zero visions, including those which don't have clear net zero pathways? How can sustainability linked financing support all sectors?
- How will the energy landscape shift in 10, 20 years – oil & gas, renewables, carbon capture? The creation of "green" energy and waste reduction/energy efficiency
- Which industries & countries hold the most opportunity for sustainable investment aside from energy? Identifying regional opportunities in water, healthcare & aviation fuel
- Is the UAE's commitment to mobilise AED 1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030 on track? What are the barriers and challenges to reaching this target? Does this differ between government entities and SME?
- The role of sovereign wealth funds in driving issuance in the region
10:45 GST
Break
11:15 GST
Fireside chat
11:35 GST
Panel: Outlook for the sustainable debt market in the Middle East – how will transition finance develop?
- Will record sovereign & corporate issuance continue in 2025?
- The demand and growth prospects for sustainability linked finance by sector and label
- Trends in SL vs UoP bonds and loans
- Development of Transition Loan Principles – what impact could this have for the region? Will this signal growth of a transition loan market? Could this also extend to a similar set of principles in the labelled bond market?
- Differences in sustainable finance operations in local vs international banks
- How can greenwashing claims be addressed and dispelled?
- How does sustainable/transition finance accommodate hard to abate industries? What options are there for labels which encompass and are reflective of regional realities?
- What lessons can be learnt from Japan's climate transition bond? Does this provide a model for the region?
- Recent developments and impact of sustainable finance frameworks from local banks
12:15 GST
Fireside chat
12:35 GST
Panel: Regulation & taxonomies – the development of local policies and harmonization with global standards
- How close are we to a regional taxonomy incorporating transition?
- What problems/opportunities are there with not having a unified taxonomy in the region? Does it help or hinder investment?
- How will local taxonomies talk with other international taxonomies? How will they align with internationally recognized standards whilst reflecting regional priorities and differences in definitions of transition?
- CBAM – what impact will this have on sustainable debt markets?
13:20 GST
Lunch
14:20 GST
Panel: Islamic finance – growth and potential in sustainable sukuk
- Is there a substantial pool of potential sukuk issuances that could significantly transform the market? How is this set to develop in 2025?
- As more corporates and investors seek to align with ESG principles will this bring a new pool of investors to the region?
- Will we see developments and innovation in sukuk structures – e.g. blue sukuk and transition sukuk?
15:05 GST
Fireside chat
15:25 GST
Break
16:05 GST
Panel: The view from investors
- What impact can the region have globally? What role can local investors have in green investments outside of the middle east?
- How is climate adaptation being incorporated into investment considerations?
- How are foreign investors viewing the region? Where are the biggest opportunities? What are viewed as the biggest barriers and challenges in regard to sustainable investment?
16:50 GST
Closing remarks
17:00 GST
Reception