Global Compact SKH to focus on sustainability indices

The Sustainability Knowledge Hub (SKH) organized by the Global Compact Network Ceylon will discuss global sustainability indices and the potential for the development of a sustainability index in Sri Lanka. The third quarterly SKH will be held on August 11 from 5.15 pm onwards at the CIMA auditorium.

The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

UN Global Compact counts over 8700 corporate participants and stakeholders from over 130 countries. It will include a panel discussion featuring Aitken Spence Director and Business Development and Plantations Head, Dr. Rohan Fernando, Commercial Bank COO Ravi Dias, Ceylon Asset Management Managing Director Dulindra Fernando and INSEAD Social Innovation Centre Global Compact Focal Point and Executive in Residence Ravi Fernando who will share their views and ideas on the value of sustainability indices.

The industry leaders will be joined by Michael Preiss, a Board Member for the Middle-East and Asia with the American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM) and Advisor on its Global Board of Standards on Wealth Management and Private Banking curriculum, who will deliver the keynote address on the sustainability indices and global trends. Following the launch of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (in 1999), FTSE4Good, KLD 400 Social Index and NASDAQ OMX CRD Global Sustainability 50 Index many sustainability indices have been developed in emerging markets.

By identifying companies that maintain superior sustainability standards, sustainability indices have the potential to promote the importance of environmental, social, and governance issues and establish more clearly the link between better sustainability and investment performance.