United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative Global Roundtable to be Held in Washington, D.C. on October 19-20, 2011

WASHINGTON and GENEVA, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the drive for economic recovery topping the U.S. and global political agenda, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is organizing a landmark summit on financial sustainability and market stability in Washington, D.C.

The 2011 Global Roundtable entitled, The Tipping Point: Sustained Stability in the Next Economy, comes at a crucial time for both decision-makers and the U.S. general public. The recent financial crises are a stark reminder that instability is never too far away when markets are left exposed to long-term risks.

The Roundtable will bring together more than 100 speakers – including 20 CEOs and two former heads of government – who will consider the emerging role of sustainable finance in reforming the financial sector to ensure greater long-term stability in the world economy. The most forward-looking global economic pathfinders will shine a light on their groundbreaking ideas for establishing a strong and stable economic future.

The sessions will also highlight the sustainability sector's promising potential as a key propeller of economic growth and job creation.  

Main event: United Nations Environment Programme
Finance Initiative 2011 Global Roundtable
Date and time: 19 October, 2011 – 9 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.;
20 October – 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Venue: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.

Press conference: A press conference will take place in parallel to the main event.
Confirmed speakers are: Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland), Barbara Krumsiek (CEO of Calvert Investments; UNEP FI Co-Chair), Paul Clements-Hunt (head of UNEP FI).
Date and time: 20 October, 2011 – 12:50 P.M. to 1:40 P.M.
Venue: Meridian C Room of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

High-level speakers include:

• Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Lisa Jackson, Head of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland
• Rick Lacaille, Global Chief Investment Officer, State Street Global Advisors
• Paul Abberley, CEO of Aviva Investors London
• Barbara Krumsiek, CEO of Calvert Investments; Co-Chair of UNEP FI
• Anthony Kuczinski, President and CEO of Munich Re America
• Weihua Ma, President of the China Merchant Bank
• Nassim Taleb, financial commentator and best-selling author of The Black Swan

In its 13th edition, the Roundtable in Washington, D.C. carries on a well-established tradition that has spanned the globe from New York to Frankfurt, Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo.

Journalists wishing to attend the press conference or the entire two-day event are invited to register online at www.unepfi.org/grt.

For more information, contact:

• Sebastien Malo, UNEP FI Communications, Tel: + (41 22) 917-8465 / Mobile: + (41 78) 686-7022 ; email: [email protected];
• Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Head of Communications, UNEP Regional Office for North America, Tel: +1 (202) 974-1307/ Mobile (202) 812-2100; email: [email protected].

About the Global Roundtable
Since the success of the first Global Roundtable edition, held in 1994 in Geneva, Switzerland, Global Roundtables have matured into major global agenda-setting events. Global Roundtables are convened by UNEP FI to offer an opportunity for leaders of the financial world and environmental experts to come together to discuss and exchange views on sustainability issues and responsible financing. www.unepfi.org/grt

About the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
UNEP FI is a unique global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works closely with nearly 200 financial institutions who are Signatories to the UNEP FI Statements, and a range of partner organisations to develop and promote linkages between sustainability and financial performance. Through peer-to-peer networks, research and training, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realise the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations. www.unepfi.org

SOURCE UNEP FI, New York City