Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - September 25, 2024 - The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), today launched the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Academy for Central Asia, with the aim of supporting banks and financial institutions to align their strategies with global sustainability goals.
This groundbreaking initiative is the fruit of a collaboration with key partners including UNEP Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) and the UNEP sub-regional Office for Central Asia. The Academy will equip banks and financial institutions across the region with knowledge and tools in areas such as the role of banks in society and the links between finance and climate change.
Central Asian countries face numerous environmental challenges, including climate change, air pollution, water scarcity, and soil degradation. The launch of the PRB Academy in the region marks a significant step towards addressing these issues through responsible banking capacity building in local languages.
The PRB Academy is a result of a global collaboration between UNEP FI, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Chartered Banker Institute. It offers a unique Blended Learning platform designed to upscale circular practices and contribute to a sustainable and socially just future, in line with the Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement.
Four comprehensive training modules, now available in Russian, form the core of the Academy's curriculum:
- Getting Started in Responsible Banking: An introduction to sustainability concepts and the role of banks in society.
- Clients and Customers: Focusing on encouraging and supporting clients to understand and limit their environmental and social impacts.
- Climate Change: Addressing the reciprocal impacts between climate change, society, and banks.
- Responsible Banking for Board Members and Executives: Equipping leadership with knowledge to align bank strategies with societal goals.
These modules are tailored for managerial and middle-level staff, aiming to contribute to climate adaptation and circular economy initiatives within the context of national green economy needs.
The Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan serves as a crucial local partner, facilitating knowledge-building among Central Asian banks on the ground.
By launching the PRB Academy in Central Asia, UNEP FI and its partners aim to establish a Centre of Excellence for sustainable finance education in the region. This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the skills and knowledge of banking professionals, aligning their practices with global sustainability frameworks. This work is also supported by UNEP's Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs).
As the financial sector in Central Asia continues to evolve, the PRB Academy stands ready to support banks in developing innovative financing mechanisms that accelerate the transition to a circular, socially just, and green economy.
About the PRB Academy
The PRB Academy helps banks and bankers implement the Principles for Responsible Banking.
It was developed by the Chartered Banker Institute, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
For more information about the PRB Academy, its range of courses and how individuals and organisations can register their interest please visit www.prbacademy.com to stay up to date.
About the UN Principles for Responsible Banking
The Principles for Responsible Banking is a unique framework for ensuring that signatory banks’ strategy and practice align with the vision society has set out for its future in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The framework consists of 6 Principles designed to bring purpose, vision and ambition to sustainable finance. They were created in 2019 through a partnership between founding banks and the United Nations Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative. Signatory banks commit to embedding these 6 principles across all business areas, at the strategic, portfolio and transactional levels.
UNEP Finance Initiative brings together a large network of banks, insurers and investors that collectively catalyses action across the financial system to deliver more sustainable global economies. Convened by a Geneva, Switzerland-based secretariat, more than 500 banks and insurers with assets exceeding US$100 trillion work together to facilitate the implementation of UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance, as well as three UN-convened net-zero alliances. Financial institutions work with UNEP FI on a voluntary basis, and we help them to apply the industry frameworks and develop practical guidance and tools to position their businesses for the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy.
About the Chartered Banker Institute
The Chartered Banker Institute (“the Institute”) is the oldest professional banking institute in the world. The Institute was founded in 1875, operates globally, with over 37,000 members in over 100 different countries and nearly 1,000 financial institutions worldwide. The Institute has driven an agenda of ethical professionalism throughout its existence; promoting professional standards for bankers, providing professional qualifications for retail, commercial and private bankers, and offering professional membership to qualified individuals. For more information, please visit: www.charteredbanker.com.
About the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
GIZ is a German public-benefit federal enterprise that works jointly with governments, international organizations, businesses, civil society actors and research institutions worldwide to foster international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and other commissioning parties, GIZ supports sustainable development in emerging markets and developing countries.
In the field of sustainable finance, GIZ aims to accelerate the transformation towards sustainable financial systems in partner countries. GIZ’s approach is to help create enabling framework conditions through policy and reform processes, support the implementation of ambitious sustainable finance practices in the financial sector, and to raise awareness and capacities through training, research and peer learning.
For more information or enquiries, contact:
Daniel Bouzas Luis
Regional Lead, Europe, UNEP FI
[email protected]
Madina Ibrasheva
Programme Management Officer and GO4SDGs Regional Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia, UNEP