This session will explore the role of interdisciplinary research and investment in driving climate innovation.
The speakers will emphasize the importance of integrating expertise from various fields – such as engineering, social sciences, and environmental studies – to develop comprehensive solutions that address climate change challenges.
Successful projects and partnerships will be highlighted, showcasing their significant impact on local and global climate initiatives.
This discussion will dive into the significance of innovation hubs and incubators in fostering collaboration among startups, researchers, and corporations. Panelists will share insights on how these hubs facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and the development of impactful climate solutions. Successful partnerships that have emerged from these collaborations will also be spotlighted.
Nan has over 25 years’ experience in strategic management roles both with the United Nations and the private sector across Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. She currently leads a global team in investment and sustainable finance research, policy, investment promotion and facilitation, enterprise development, and technical assistance to governments in over 160 countries. She chairs the Governing Board of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, leads the World Investment Forum and the inter-governmental Working Group on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting.
Before joining UNCTAD, she served as the Global Director of Sustainable Investments and Innovation at UNOPS, where she led a team to promote infrastructure investments in many developing countries and co-invest with DFIs and private investors. She served as UNOPS focal point in the UN Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development.
Previously, she served as the Head of UNDP SDG Innovative Finance and as Head of South-South Cooperation and Investment at UNDP's Asia Pacific Center in Bangkok. She led a team to engage public and private investors and developed national policy dialogues and networks on SDG investment, piloted SDG-aligned funds, bonds and projects in multiple countries. She helped to position UNDP as a pioneer in the UN on sustainable investment and innovative finance. She also held positions as Policy Specialist in Capacity Development and Public-Private Partnerships in New York and Johannesburg since 2009, overseeing a regional portfolio in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Before joining UNDP, she spent about 10 years in the private sector in China and the USA, covering market entry and investment strategy, merger and acquisition, business development and sustainability. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and participated in the Executive Leadership program at IESE, and Finance Executive program at Tsinghua University.
Serena is currently working as Executive Director in the Sustainable Finance team within the Institutional Banking Group of DBS Hong Kong.
Prior to DBS, Serena was the Head of ESG Funding Asia for Home Credit, an international consumer finance provider that focuses on responsible lending to people with little or no credit history.
Serena also has over 15 years of experience with Goldman Sachs treasury and market operations in Singapore and Hong Kong, with focus on liquidity management and payment transaction surveillance across the APAC region.
Ms. Mak is also serving as Board Governor & Honorary Secretary at Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) with a focus on Green and Sustainable Finance development in Asia.
Ms. Serena Mak holds both MSc Investment Management and BBA (Hons) from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Anthony specializes in Green & Sustainable Investment, SDG Investing and Climate Governance in Asia. Prior to joining Polymer Capital, he served in renowned asset managers in London, Singapore and Hong Kong including Gartmore, Pictet, BNP Paribas and ExodusPoint Capital. Anthony was the first in Asia who attained the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA®) designation and was awarded Regional ESG Leader Award by Insights and Mandate (I&M). He has held various industry positions including Stakeholder Council Member of the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) and member of SRI Professional Assessment Panel at the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI).
Anthony actively advocates sustainability governance best practice; he is an Executive Council Member of the Hong Kong Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) Association, a Board Governor at Friends of the Earth (HK), and acts as INED for three Hong Kong listed companies. Anthony is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Hamburg and a Fellow of CPA Australia.
