Bankers conference set for this June



The Annual Banker's Conference is set to happen this June 19th at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Organized by the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA), it will be held under the theme: Navigating the Future of Banking: ESG, Sustainability and Digital Transformation.

 According to Julius Kakeeto, the Chairman Uganda Bankers Association, this years theme was chosen especially Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) due to the interconnectedness between financial performance and ESG practices.

"We have chosen ESG for a number of reasons, one being the interconnectedness between financial performance and ESG practices. The framework will guide the banking industry on how to integrate its principles across their operations, from governance to products, policies, and processes," said Kakeeto in Kampala.

 He added that integrating technology and digital transformation into bank operations can help effectively manage ESG data, enhance reporting accuracy, and drive sustainable investment. It can also enhance the operational efficiency of financial institutions, enabling them to serve their clients effectively.

Now in its 7th Edition, the conference will facilitate focused discussions on the opportunities in supporting investments in ESG and highlight the challenges related to ESG while providing recommendations on how the ESG principles can be integrated into financial strategies.

Notably, financial institutions occupy a pivotal position in addressing ESG risks because they can direct capital towards transformative investments and projects that are sustainable.

 "Sustainability is swiftly becoming a crucial global concern, heightening awareness of issues like climate change, social inequality, and corporate misconduct, which are significantly altering the market landscape.

 The reputation and business success of financial institutions are now influenced by their sustainability practices and corporate behavior. Consequently, the shift toward sustainability holds the potential to profoundly reshape the global financial sector, and therefore, we'd like as an industry to increase investments in sustainable and green initiatives through understanding what ESG is, developing products addressing the risks, and contributing positively towards the environment and the society that we serve," he emphasized.  

Wilbrod Owor, Executive Director Uganda Bankers Association, said for this year’s Annual Bankers Conference, they have organized a comprehensive session around ESG, sustainability, and digital transformation.

 “We have partnered with sponsors and onboarded panelists who are extremely rich in knowledge and expertise, fully aligned with and well-versed in this theme. Diverse topics will be discussed, including energy, sustainability, finance, digital evolution, and how things are changing with AI, along with an extensive Q&A session,” said Owor.

He added that the threats around are very real and ultimately impact all of us collectively, whether social or environmental.

“That’s why climate change is a vital topic. It ought to be; because, as the finance and banking sector, we are affected directly or indirectly, disrupting sustainability in various areas through displacement, overturning, and halting our activities as banks,” Owor stressed.

 “We cannot reach every person in the sector, but the closest way is through partnerships. These partnerships are often far-reaching and deeply rooted in the very communities we serve, for example, government initiatives, development banks etc. We hope more can join us in this and other causes."

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