- The $1.9 billion ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) is managed by ADB’s Southeast Asia Green Finance Hub. Learn more about the facility in this video.
- Over $200 billion is needed every year to meet Southeast Asia’s green infrastructure needs. The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) supports green financing in the subregion. Learn more in this video.
- Hear from the Chair of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and the GCF Director of the Division of Mitigation and Adaptation why the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) is needed, in this video.
This video introduces the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF), including testimonies from YBhg. Dato’ Zamzuri bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary General of Treasury (Policy), Malaysia Ministry of Finance and Chair, ASEAN Infrastructure Fund; German Velasquez, Director of the Division of Mitigation and Adaptation, Green Climate Fund; Emma Veve, Deputy Director General, ADB Southeast Asia Department; and Scott Roberts, Head of ADB’s Southeast Asia Green Finance Hub and the ACGF.
Launched in 2019 under the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), the ACGF provides funding to de-risk projects for environmentally friendly and socially inclusive infrastructure in the energy, water, transport, and urban sectors. It also provides technical assistance for project structuring and origination as well as knowledge services on green and innovative financing opportunities.
Transcript
Southeast Asia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Every year, the region faces more extreme weather events that affect millions of people.
It is also one of the world’s most dynamic regions, and as the populations and economies grow, so does the demand for green, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.
But governments cannot finance all the necessary projects on their own. Support from more sources, both public and private, is necessary to accelerate this green transition.
“As we recognize in ADB, the battle for climate change will be won or lost in the Asia-Pacific. And in that battle, the decisive front is Southeast Asia. ASEAN countries alone need well over 200 billion US dollars of infrastructure investment every year to keep up with the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the region. And all of that investment, across every sector, must mitigate or adapt to climate change, if we are to have any chance in this battle. Bringing these projects to life requires innovative thinking, more sources of catalytic financing, and strong partnerships. And this is where the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility is helping to show the way.“ [Emma Veve, Deputy Director General, Southeast Asia Department, ADB]
The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, or the ACGF, was founded in 2019 by the Asian Development Bank and ASEAN governments linked to the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund.
At the ACGF, we support the development of landmark green infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia by using innovative financing to catalyze funds from public and private sources. We also mobilize expertise to help create sustainable, and bankable, infrastructure projects.
“The ACGF supports government-led projects which are green, bankable, and able to mobilize capital from all sources, including private capital. We also offer capacity development for government officials as well as technical support to developing early concepts, so that they can qualify for funding. This combination of concepts, technical assistance, knowledge, and financing from ADB and partners makes ACGF a one-stop shop for catalyzing green infrastructure projects in the ASEAN region.“ [Scott Robers, Head of ADB’s Southeast Asia Green Finance Hub and the ACGF]
In Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, for example, we are supporting climate-related policy reforms and transformative green infrastructure projects in energy, transport, agriculture, and natural resources.
In Cambodia, we are helping to restore mangroves and enabling small- and medium-sized businesses in the fisheries sector to adopt sustainable practices.
And in Thailand, we are supporting a number of ministries in issuing sustainability-linked bonds to help fund the green transition.
“Our region is blessed with natural beauty but faces with urgent environmental issues, including climate change, deforestation, and air pollution. Green finance and infrastructure are vital, protecting our environment and boosting our economy, with benefits like job creation, innovation, and investments in sustainable projects ensuring long-term stability and prosperity. Green finance is not merely an option; it is an imperative. The ACGF plays a key role in this transformation, speeding up the transition towards sustainability.“ [YBhg. Dato' Zamzuri bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary General of Treasury (Policy), Malaysia Ministry of Finance and Chair, ASEAN Infrastructure Fund]
Since 2019, we have brought together financing, knowledge, and skills from some of the world’s leading development organizations.
“Infrastructure and finance are at the heart of the region’s economic recovery. These feature in most of the stimulus packages in the region. Making these green and resilient strengthens both the climate and socio-economic resilience of affected communities in the region. I believe that ACGF will pave the way for a green recovery in Southeast Asia by integrating international standards for climate impact and by developing and investing in resilient and low-carbon projects.” [German Velasquez, Director of the Division of Mitigation and Adaptation, Green Climate Fund]
By now, we have become ASEAN’s most prominent platform in mobilizing ideas, capital, and partnerships to drive green infrastructure.
To learn more about the ACGF, our projects and initiatives, and how we can help, go to adb.org/acgf.
