On September 24, 2024, the Green Finance Conference, organized by AmCham Azerbaijan in partnership with Yelo Bank, successfully concluded. Held on the eve of COP29 and within the framework of the Year of Solidarity for the Green World, the conference brought together local and international experts to discuss key topics on the financial sector's sustainability agenda.

The primary goal of the conference was to connect local perspectives with global expertise, fostering the exchange of ideas on sustainable finance and green investments. In their opening remarks, Dayanat Sadullayev, President of AmCham Azerbaijan, Shahin Mahmudzadeh, Director General of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Gunay Jalilova, Head of AmCham's Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee, and the Deputy Chairman of Yelo Bank, emphasized the importance of integrating sustainable financial principles into Azerbaijan's economic and financial sectors. They also highlighted the pivotal role of the conference in advancing this mission. The event featured three panels covering the topics: Sustainable Market Opportunities, Sustainable Financial Products, and Green Finance Investments and Infrastructure.

The first panel, moderated by Stephanie Stallmeister, Country Manager of the World Bank in Azerbaijan, featured speakers such as Murad Sadigov, Director of Masdar in Azerbaijan, Khayala Naghiyeva, CFO and Board Member of Azerbaijan Green Energy Company, Taciano Custodio, Head of Sustainability at Rabobank Brazil, and Irem Barzilay, Head of Sustainability at Garanti BBVA. In her presentation, Stephanie Stallmeister introduced Azerbaijan's Climate and Development Report, emphasizing the country's progress toward its climate goals.

The second panel, moderated by Leyla Huseynli, Sustainable Finance Specialist at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), included discussions from Kirilo Mukhomedzyanov, Operations Specialist at IFC, Nurlan Hajiyev, General Director and Regional Manager at Visa Azerbaijan, Ana Osadze, Head of ESG & Sustainability at the Bank of Georgia, and Farid Abushov, Chairman of the Executive Board at Unibank. The panelists shared insights on green portfolio development, green and blue bonds, and innovative green computing methods.

The third panel, moderated by Vugar Namazov, CEO of Unicapital, focused on Green Finance Investments and Infrastructure. Panelists addressed important issues, from the effective use of technology to preventing greenwashing. Speakers included Manas Gizhduaniyev, Chairman of the Astana Green Finance Center (AIFC), Samra Talishinskaya-Abbasova, Sustainability Manager at Unibank, Boris Janjalia, Team Lead of IFC’s ESG Advisory Group, and Ruslan Khalilov, Chairman of the Board of the Baku Stock Exchange.

Through its active participation in such initiatives, Yelo Bank continues to support Azerbaijan’s transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. As part of the Bank's ongoing Green Savings campaign, a tree will be planted in the name of every customer who opens a savings account with Yelo by October 31. Join us in making Baku greener while earning income by placing your deposit with Yelo Bank: https://bit.ly/3AZlic7.

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