Uniting global minds for sustainable finance to support a nature-positive and pollution-free future

The Global ESG Conference, organized by the International ESG Association (IESGA) and hosted by iM Financial Group, brought together experts from world-leading universities to deliver presentations under the theme “Sustainable Finance for the Future.” The conference featured keynote lectures and in-depth discussions on financial markets and key issues for ESG management. Participants explored transition finance, economic models, and global ESG standards, reaffirming the importance of international collaboration in addressing climate, equity, and accountability.

The Global ESG Conference, conducted on June 27, 2025, gathered people who care deeply about the planet, society, and the future of business. Held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall, the event welcomed over 300 participants from more than 10 countries worldwide.

The event began with opening remarks, congratulatory speeches, and keynote lectures, followed by in-depth discussions covering the overall financial markets and key issues in the fields of environment, society, and governance.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman Hwang Byung-woo of iM Financial Group shared, “In an era where the climate crisis is deepening and artificial intelligence is driving rapid changes in the management environment, ESG and the financial industry are facing another form of challenge. We have organized this conference to seek the direction the financial industry should take to achieve ESG management and sustainable development goals.”

The opening keynote speeches were given by Professor Yong Sik Ok, President of the International ESG Association (Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University); Dr. Tanja Collavo, Director of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL); and Jen Sisson, CEO of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN).

The first half of the conference focused on where the global financial system is heading and how it can evolve to support both economic growth and environmental recovery. Speakers highlighted how transition finance is becoming essential for industries under pressure to reduce emissions, and how supply chains must adapt to growing sustainability demands, highlighting the direction and strategic response of ESG-aligned financial markets.

In addition, experts from each field participated as panelists to discuss practical challenges and solutions for ESG management. Notably, the sessions on environment and governance featured a Business Roundtable with the participation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Secretary General and researchers from the Korea Capital Market Institute.

Moreover, congratulatory speeches were delivered by Ki Moon Ban, Chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future; Bruno Oberle, 16th Secretary General of the IUCN; Colin Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea; Kum-sil Kang, 55th Minister of Justice; and Byung-chill Kim, Deputy Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service.

This conference also featured presentations and discussions by renowned global scholars and leading experts in the ESG field, including Dr. Tanja Collavo (Director, Cambridge CISL), Professor Dan Tsang (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), and Professor Gregor Dorfleitner (Director, Center of Finance, University of Regensburg).

The event carried a strong sense of international support. Messages of encouragement came from presenters Solomon Moos (ASIA Director, Eurazeo), Professor Shauhrat Chopra (City University of Hong Kong), Minhyun Shim (Managing Director & Partner, Affirma Capital Managers Korea), Yeonchul Yoo (Executive Director, UN Global Compact Korea), and Jiheon Oh (Head of ESG Center, One Law Partners) in conservation, law, and finance.

Professor Jay Hyuk Rhee (Director, ESG Research Institute, Korea University) and Professor Yong Sik Ok have stated in the paper published in Asia Pacific Business Review that the case of iM Financial Group (formerly DGB) demonstrates that strong corporate governance is the foundation for credible and impactful ESG management. By enhancing board independence, protecting shareholder rights, and driving governance-led ESG innovation, iM Financial Group  shows how financial institutions can strengthen both sustainability performance and long-term corporate value — a lesson highly relevant for companies across South Korea and Asia.

The conference further highlighted the growing reach of IESGA’s work. IESGA has established a collaborative network with 399 universities, research institutes, and organizations in 48 countries, playing a central role in global ESG cooperation. This network includes not only prestigious Western universities such as Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Cornell University, and Imperial College, but also major research institutions in Asia such as Tsinghua University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the National University of Singapore.

Based on this network, IESGA has been actively promoting multinational joint research in key ESG areas such as plastic reduction, achieving carbon neutrality, nature-positive strategies, and hydrogen energy development. In particular, the association has accumulated substantial and concrete research outcomes, including empirical studies on reducing plastic use and transitioning to a circular economy, development of corporate carbon reduction technologies, and policy model development for restoring natural ecosystems.

Building on these research achievements, IESGA has been hosting the Global ESG Forum annually in major countries such as Singapore and Indonesia since 2022. These forums serve as platforms for discussions on global ESG issues, policies, technologies, and evaluation methodologies, with participation from government officials, business leaders, and academics worldwide.

IESGA will host the 9th ESG Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, from December 18 to 20, 2025, under the theme of “Latest ESG Trends and Vietnam's Sustainable Growth.” Around 150 ESG experts, corporate leaders, policymakers, and scholars from Korea and abroad are expected to attend.

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Reference

Title of original paper: How to enhance ESG credentials through corporate governance innovation: the case of DGB Financial Group in South Korea

Journal: Asia Pacific Business Review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13602381.2025.2452872

Author(s) Affiliation: Korea University