Alliance Finance signs ‘Karlsruhe Resolution’ on Sustainable Finance

• Becomes the first Lankan financial institution in banking and non-banking sector to pledge commitment to Agenda 2030 and UN Sustainable Development goals

Sri Lanka’s Alliance Finance Co Plc Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Romani De Silva (seated third from left) sign the Karlsruhe Resolution at the 7th Global Sustainable Finance Conference (GSFC 7) supporting the UN-backed sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement (COP21), collectively referred to as ‘Agenda 2030’ in Germany. Others (from left): Erwin Embuscado, Head, Resource Mobilization and Corporate Communications at Alalay Sa Kaunlaran (ASKI) Incorporated, Philippines; Namita Vikas, Group President and Global Head, Climate Strategy and Responsible Banking, YES BANK, India; Celeste Burgos, Senior Vice President, Land Bank of the Philippines; Miranda Ramaj, Advisor to the Governor, Bank of Albania; Patricia Ojangole, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Development Bank; Francis Blankson, Head of Financial Stability, Bank of Ghana; Octavio Peralta, Secretary General, Association Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific; Kafui Amegah, Chief Executive Officer, Eclipse Microfinance, Ghana; Joseph Amihere, Secretary General, African Association Development Finance Institutions ; Frank Mentrup, Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe and Chairman of the Board, Sparkasse (Savings Bank) Karlsruhe, Germany; and Arshad Rab, Chief Executive Officer, European Organisation of Sustainable Development, Germany

Alliance Finance Company Plc has become the first Sri Lanka financial institution in the banking and non-banking sector to pledge commitment to a global initiative promoting sustainable finance. 

Delegates to the 7th Global Sustainable Finance Conference (GSFC 7) supporting the UN-backed sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement (COP21), collectively referred to as ‘Agenda 2030’, have signed the ‘Karlsruhe Resolution’ at the City Hall, Karlsruhe, Germany on 13 July.

The signing ceremony drew over 200 delegates from over 30 countries including high-ranking public officials and senior members of the international finance industry who watched the signing of the resolution, among others, by Arshad Rab, CEO, European Organization for Sustainable Development and Sri Lanka’s Alliance Finance Co Plc Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Romani De Silva. The Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup also signed the resolution as a witness. 

Alliance Finance Co Plc Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Romani de Silva said this resolution strengthens our position as a key promoter of sustainable financing in Sri Lanka in keeping with our vision, core values and the triple bottom line oriented business philosophy. The signing of this resolution rearms our continued commitment and contribution to the transformation of our economy facilitating financial inclusion whilst being in alignment with sustainable development goals.

The resolution stresses the important role of the financial services industry in achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2030 such as, among others, financing and investing in the implementation of the SDGs and

COP21 projects in their respective countries, are calling on governments and regulatory institutions to create policy frameworks that promote investments in innovation that will contribute in creating a green, inclusive and sustainable economy and calling for a collective global action to ensure a level-playing field for all financial sector players.

The crafting of the ‘Karlsruhe Resolution’ was a joint undertaking of the European Organization for Sustainable Development (EOSD), the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) and the City of Karlsruhe.