At the Boao Forum, A Call for BFA & AMRO Call for Cooperation to Accelerate Asia’s Transition

The Boao Forum for Asia Academy (BFA Academy) and ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) and convened the Transition Finance for a Net-Zero Future Roundtable in Boao, Hainan, alongside the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, on Friday. The event brought together policymakers, international organizations, financial institutions and academic experts to address the challenges and opportunities of advancing transition finance in Asia. 

Zhou Xiaochuan, vice-chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, delivered a key-note speech at the financial roundtable. He pointed out, “The Paris Agreement is facing significant challenges in 2025, and global efforts to combat climate change have slowed. Nevertheless, Asian economies have shown strong commitment and taken concrete actions to promote green development.”

He said: The financial sector has a crucial role to play in facilitating the transition to sustainable production methods. This necessitates improvements in carbon emission measurement, the establishment of transition standards, enhanced disclosure mechanisms, and more importantly, a greater emphasis on pricing mechanisms 

In his opening remarks, AMRO Director LiKouqing emphasized, “Achieving a net-zero future is not just about expanding the green economy. High-emission sectors must also act, and transition finance is key to enabling this shift. Given Asia’s diversity, a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Instead, the region must tailor policies to national circumstances while leveraging its comparative advantages to drive an inclusive transition.”
The roundtable featured two expert-led panel discussions exploring practical solutions to accelerate Asia’s transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable economy. Speakers highlighted policy measures, innovative financial instruments, and best practices designed to scale up transition finance across the region.
 
Session 1: Transition Finance for a Net-Zero Future: Policy Perspective
 
This session focused on the critical role of policymakers and regulators in shaping policy frameworks for transition finance. Panelists underscored the importance of enhanced cross-border collaboration among financial institutions, trade bodies, policymakers, and regulators to drive momentum. They also shared insights on regulatory incentives and successful implementation models supporting the net-zero agenda.
 
Session 2: Transition Finance for a Net-Zero Future: Market Perspective
 
This session explored the private sector’s pivotal role in scaling up transition finance. Panelists discussed innovative financing tools, strategies to mitigate investment risks, and real-world case studies demonstrating successful transition finance initiatives led by the private sector.