This multi-stakeholder session was organized in collaboration with the Climate Bonds Initiative will bring together key bond market players such as stock exchanges, securities regulators, issuers and standards bodies to address opportunities and challenges for further boosting the growth of the emerging SDG bonds sector. The session supports the continued growth of domestic, regional and global green and sustainability bond markets. Exchanges and securities regulators will benefit from discussions on the opportunities and challenges involved in growing SDG bond markets. The session also further disseminate the conclusions of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges voluntary green finance action plan for stock exchanges. 

The webinar took place on 20 October, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (CEST).

The SDG bond universe to date has mostly been made up of ‘green bonds’ (bonds with an environmental or climate-related focus), but other SDG themed bonds such as water bonds and gender bonds are starting to enter the market. The green bond market, for example, exceeded $168 billion in 2018 with a five-year growth rate of 466%. Along with the high growth of this sector, there is also an increasing diversification of issuers and types of green projects for which the proceeds of the bonds are being used, and lessons learned in the green-bond arena are being applied to other SDG bonds, such as water bonds and gender bonds. 

About WIF

The UNCTAD World Investment Forum (WIF) is the pre-eminent global platform for investment and development. The Forum devises strategies and solutions for global investment and development challenges. The Forum offers a unique opportunity to influence investment-related policymaking, shape the global investment environment, and to network with global leaders in business and politics. For more information and the full programme of events, visit: worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org