The SIDC-CASI SRI Conference 2025 concluded in Kuala Lumpur after three days of discussions focused on accelerating sustainable finance across Southeast Asia.
Co-hosted by the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), the event gathered more than 300 delegates to explore strategies for bridging funding gaps, aligning regional policies, and building talent pipelines.
The conference highlighted persistent challenges in green finance, including what CASI Chair Dr. Ma Jun referred to as the “bankability gap,” where as much as 80 percent of proposed green projects in emerging economies remain unfunded due to a lack of early-stage financial support.
He urged investment in pre-feasibility assessments, catalytic capital, and greater capacity-building among domestic investors.
Malaysian regulators underscored the country’s ambition to position itself as a sustainable investment hub. SIDC CEO Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik outlined initiatives focused on institutional capacity building.
Securities Commission Malaysia Executive Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi called for ASEAN-wide adoption of the ASEAN Taxonomy and Transition Finance Guidance to unlock cross-border green capital flows.
Panel sessions explored emerging tools for green finance, including regional ESG disclosure platforms, harmonized taxonomies, carbon market integration, and SME-targeted financing models.
The conference also saw the signing of a long-term MoU between SIDC and CASI to strengthen sustainable finance education and talent development.
CASI Academy unveiled a 40-hour e-learning platform and announced plans to introduce a regional certification program based on its forthcoming Competency Framework.
The conference marks an important step in ASEAN’s shift from sustainable finance theory to infrastructure.
The growing focus on talent development and policy harmonization reflects recognition that green capital flows depend as much on people and systems as on capital.
Addressing project bankability and SME financing will be key to turning pledges into pipeline.
