The OMFIF Asia Forum
Asia’s role in a new generation of global financial services and markets
8 December 2022
2022 witnessed a series of generational shifts in the global economy and the financial industry. Inflation, rising interest rates, geopolitics and the aftermath of Covid-19 ushered in a new era of volatile and uncertain financial markets. At the same time, the acceptance of sustainability as a core part of the financial system hardened, while new digital technologies took deeper root across all aspects of financial services. 2023 promises more of the same. Throughout the year, OMFIF – through its institutes in economic and monetary policy, sustainability, digital finance, sovereign debt and wealth management – has brought together its unrivalled network among the public and private sectors to promote dialogue, understanding and co-operation at this challenging time.
OMFIF’s calendar of 2022 events – with over 150 in-person and virtual events held across the world – culminated in the first-ever OMFIF Asia forum. Leading policy-makers, governments, investors, financial institutions, fintechs and other thought-leaders gathered in Singapore to reflect on the challenges and opportunities this new era brings. They shared key insights in their areas of expertise, and learned from their peers in global economics, investment, technology and financial markets.
All of the discussions are framed from an Asian perspective, highlighting areas in which Asia is leading the world, and those where it would benefit from better understanding and education. OMFIF is also presented the results from two benchmark research reports at the forum. First, Global Public Pensions 2022 analysed the investment approach of global public pension and sovereign funds, two of the most influential groups of global investors. And second, Future of payments 2022 looked at how central banks and financial institutions are accelerating plans to achieve the digital transformation of the global payments system.
The event took place in Singapore, which has established itself as a leading global hub for digital finance, investment expertise, sustainability and wealth management. As well as an opportunity to gain insights into and build relationships with core members of OMFIF’s network, the OMFIF Asia forum presented a platform for partnering institutions to showcase their global and regional leadership at a time where good advice and market-leading solutions are more important than ever.
Watch the panels on demand
Speakers
Aurélia Britsch
Head of Climate Risk
Sustainable Fitch
Loh Boon Chye
Chief Executive Officer
SGX Group
Hester DeCasper
Regional Head of Operations and Head of Office for Hong Kong SAR
International Finance Corporation
Gerald Goh
Co-Founder & CEO Singapore
Sygnum
Robert Hoffman
Managing Director, Head of UHNW Investment Counselling
Citi Private Bank
Prakash Kannan
Chief Economist and Head of Total Portfolio Macro and Markets, Economics and Investment Strategy
GIC
Yougesh Khatri
Associate Professor and Academic Director, Nanyang Fellows MBA programme
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Rana Kortam
Director, Global Public Policy
Binance
Leslie Maasdorp
Vice President & CFO
New Development Bank
Naveen Mallela
Managing Director, Onyx Coin Systems
JP Morgan
Andrew McCormack
Centre Head, Singapore
Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub
Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief Fintech Officer
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Simon Ong
Global Head, Financial Institutions Group
DBS Bank
Trevor Persaud
Group Head of Investment Strategy and Solutions
AIA
Pushkala Ratan
Asia Pacific Climate Lead – Financial Institutions Group
International Finance Corporation
Ashwin Sanketh
Senior Portfolio Manager
Nikko AM Asia
Frank Scheidig
Global Head of Senior Executive Banking
DZ BANK
Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol
Secretary-General
Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand
Pushkala Ratan
Asia Pacific Climate Lead – Financial Institutions Group
International Finance Corporation
Yuki Yasui
Regional Director for APAC
Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
Alex Wolf
Head of Investment Strategy, Asia
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Nazaiful Affendi Zainal Abidin
Director, Portfolio Strategy and Research
KWAP
Agenda
Agenda
09:30-10:00 Registration
10.00-10.10 Opening remarks
10.10-10.30 In conversation
Prakash Kannan, Chief Economist and Head of Total Portfolio Macro and Markets, Economics and Investment Strategy, GIC
10.30-10.50 Keynote conversation
Loh Boon Chye, Chief Executive Officer, SGX Group
10.50-11.00 Global Public Funds Survey Results 2022 Presentation: OMFIF presents the findings of its prestigious annual survey of the world’s global public investors
11.00-12.00 Session I: Macro-economics and markets: Coping with a world turned upside down
A new global economic and geopolitical environment presents new challenges for Asia’s leading investors. Hear from a panel of economists and asset managers about what to expect next, and how asset allocaters should adapt their investment strategies. Where is the value in markets today? And what factors will drive their performance tomorrow?
12.00-12.40 Session II: Private investors: what every UHNWI should know
Asia, and Singapore in particular, has quickly become the most dynamic market for ultra-high-net-worth investors and the banks that manage their wealth. What are the key strategic issues facing these investors? How should they approach investing in sustainable and digital assets and navigate global volatility in their planning?
12.40-13.45 Lunch break
13.45-13.50 Remarks from the OMFIF Advisory Network
13.50-14.40 Session III: Sustainability: formulating policy and best practice in Asia
Taxonomies are a powerful tool for scaling up sustainable funding. But the need for a common framework and more alignment between taxonomies across different jurisdictions has become critical. This panel will review progress made in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore and discuss whether Asia can become the world leader in sustainable finance.
14.40-15.30 Session IV: Development banks: investment and growth in Asia
Asia’s multilateral institutions have a vital role in the economic development of the region. How are they helping countries deal with challenges such as climate change and infrastructure projects? What are their funding plans? And how are they working with the private sector to optimise the impact of their capital allocation?
15.30-15.50 Refreshment and networking break
15.50-17.00 Session V: The future of money: tokenised deposits, stablecoins and CBDCs
As new applications of emerging technology come to light, tokenised deposits are now being considered as a realistic approach. Innovative projects at central banks and monetary authorities in Asia are underway to assess the viability and potential of these differing solutions. This panel compares projects and the potentials and pitfalls of tokenised deposits, stablecoins and central bank digital currencies.
17.00-17.10 Closing remarks
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