Sixth CASI Sustainability Forum in Malaysia Boosts ASEAN Collaboration and Sustainable Finance Talent

Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong

3 August 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The SIDC-CASI SRI Conference 2025 concluded on 31 July after three impactful days in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 300 delegates from ASEAN and beyond.

Organised jointly by the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), the event centred on "Shaping the Future of ASEAN Business in Sustainability" and focused on accelerating sustainable finance through cross-border collaboration, policy innovation, and talent development.

Dr. Ma Jun, CASI Chairman, highlighted the ongoing "bankability gap" facing emerging economies, where up to 80% of green projects remain unfinanced due to limited early-stage support. He called for increased investment in pre-feasibility studies, innovative finance mechanisms, and catalytic capital, emphasising the importance of capacity-building, especially for family offices and local investors.

In her opening remarks, SIDC CEO Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik reaffirmed Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional hub for sustainable investment, emphasising talent development and institutional capacity building as key drivers.

Dato' Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) Executive Chairman, urged ASEAN stakeholders to adopt regional frameworks like the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance and the ASEAN Transition Finance Guidance to promote cross-border green investments. He also stressed the need for regulatory innovation and capacity-building for financial institutions, companies, and SMEs.

Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, called for bold, coordinated efforts to embed sustainability into national strategies, viewing it as essential for ASEAN’s economic resilience and inclusive growth.

Panel discussions covered topics including harmonised sustainability taxonomies, digital ESG disclosure, carbon market integration, and financing for MSMEs. A key highlight was the signing of an MoU between SIDC and CASI to establish a long-term partnership on sustainable finance education and talent development.

CASI Academy launched an enhanced online platform offering a 40-hour interactive curriculum with animated avatars, alongside its new Competency Framework to support a forthcoming certification programme set for later this year.

To close the forum, Dr. Ma announced two upcoming CASI events: a regional forum in Hong Kong SAR on 12 September 2025 during Green Week, and the CASI Sustainability Forum in Brazil alongside COP30 this November.