The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Wednesday it has finished its priority economic deliverables for sustainable and resilient ASEAN capital markets under the country’s 2026 ASEAN chairmanship. The completed work focuses on boosting credibility and access to sustainable finance, expanding participation in corporate governance efforts, and building closer ties among capital market regulators across the bloc.
A major output is the ASEAN Code of Conduct for External Review Providers, which sets common standards for firms that assess sustainable finance products. The code is meant to create greater consistency and mutual recognition across ASEAN, cut verification costs for ASEAN‑branded thematic bonds, build capacity among local review providers, and raise investor trust in sustainable finance instruments.
The SEC also helped advance the Mitigation Co‑benefit and Adaptation for Resilience Guide. This document lays out a principle‑based method for evaluating investments that support climate change adaptation, guiding better‑informed financing decisions toward climate resilience. To further push the region’s climate finance goals, the ASEAN Carbon Markets Development and Harmonization Forum is set for November 10, bringing together finance and climate stakeholders to build cross‑sector cooperation and identify ways to draw more private capital for climate action.
For inclusivity and corporate governance, the SEC led readiness checks and onboarding support for Cambodia and Laos as they prepare to join the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard initiative. It also backed the creation of the ASEAN Knowledge Network of Supervisory and Enforcement Directors to improve regulatory coordination and information sharing against cross‑border market violations. First launched in Boracay last March, the network has held regular meetings to share best practices among ASEAN regulators.
The completed deliverables mark progress toward a more unified, climate‑ready and well‑governed regional capital market as the Philippines carries out its ASEAN chairmanship priorities.
