On September 24, a round table organized by the Central Asian Institute for Environmental Research (CAIER) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and with the participation of ARRFM, took place on the topic: "Development of the ESG Agenda in the Financial Sector. The Sustainable Risk Management Guide." Madina Abylkassymova, Chairperson of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan, opened the round table with a welcoming speech, emphasizing the importance of the ESG agenda for the financial sector.

Representatives from the IFC discussed global trends in ESG risk management and shared their vision of applying IFC standards in the Kazakhstani financial market. ARRFM presented an updated roadmap for the implementation of ESG principles in the financial market and shared plans for incorporating the ESG risk management system into the practices of financial organizations as part of the ESG Risk Management Guide.

The round table was attended by A. Ovsyannikova, CFO, Vice President, and Member of the Management Board, and A. Ibraev, CSO and Head of the Sustainability Department (ESG). Representatives of the bank participated in the discussion on sustainable development risk management issues. During the discussion, Arnur Ibraev shared the key results of the bank's ESG transformation, discussed the experience of implementing the responsible financing policy, and outlined the plans within the framework of the bank's climate strategy.

The round table participants noted the bank's high score within the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (S&P Global CSA). Experts emphasized the significance of this achievement for the bank and highlighted that the high score once again confirms the bank's commitment to high standards of environmental and social responsibility.

Note: ARRFM - Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan; CAIER - Central Asian Institute for Environmental Research; IFC - International Finance Corporation.