International ESG Association Unites Global Minds for Sustainable Finance to Support a Nature-Positive and Pollution-Free Future

The Global ESG Conference united experts from global institutions to share strategies for driving sustainable finance to support nature-positive future

SEOUL, South Korea, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global ESG Conference, conducted on June 27, 2025, gathered over 300 participants from more than 10 countries worldwide. It began with opening remarks, speeches, and lectures, followed by discussions on overall financial markets and 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 supply chains must adapt to growing sustainability demands and the strategic response of ESG-aligned financial markets.

The 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 International Union for Conservation of Nature; Colin Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea; Kum-sil Kang, 55th Minister of Justice; and Byung-chill Kim, Deputy Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service.

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 and its role in global ESG cooperation.

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."

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

Media Contact:
Prof. Yong Sik Ok
82-2-3290-4061
[email protected]

SOURCE International ESG Association