Overview
Agenda
Sponsors
Date: 23 June 2026
Venue: Aula Magna - Bocconi University, Via Guglielmo Röntgen, 1, 20136, Milan
The 12th Annual Conference of the Principles* took place at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy on 23 June.
The Conference of the Principles is the premier global annual event for the sustainable bond market, gathering key representatives from around the world and across the value chain to engage in critical discussions on the future of sustainable finance.
The Principles are the de facto global issuance standard for the USD7 trillion international sustainable bond market.
The programme featured keynote speeches and panel discussions by leading market participants and experts in sustainable finance.
Agenda highlights included presentations and reflections on:
- 2026 innovations and guidance from the Executive Committee of the Principles
- The state of play in the global sustainable bond market
- Market experience with the new transition finance labels in the bond and loan markets
- How official standards relate to the Principles
- How the Principles support market specificities, particularly in emerging markets
View event photos
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| 08:30 | Registration | |
| 09:00 | Welcome remarks Bryan Pascoe, Chief Executive, ICMA |
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| 09:10 | Opening remarks Andrea Sironi, President of Bocconi University, Chairman of Generali View recording |
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| 09:20 | 2026 innovations and guidance from the Principles Moderator: Nicholas Pfaff, Deputy CEO, Head of Sustainable Finance, ICMA
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| 10:05 | Keynote Swami Venkataraman, CFA, Associate Managing Director - Sustainable Finance, Global Head of Assessments, Moody’s Ratings View recording |
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| 10:15 | Break | |
| 10:45 | State of play in the global sustainable bond market Moderator: Paul O'Connor, Executive Director, Head of EMEA Sustainable Finance, J.P. Morgan
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| 11:30 | Keynote Aldo Romani, Head of Sustainable Finance, Finance Directorate - Member of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, European Investment Bank (EIB) View recording |
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| 11:45 | Breakout sessions - track 1 | |
| 1A. Beyond silos: aligning Social Bonds and climate co-benefits Moderator: Arturo Seco Presencio, Treasurer and Deputy CFO, Council of Europe Development Bank
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| 1B. How do the Principles support specific markets (notably emerging markets)? Moderator: Ayelet Perlstein, Head of investor relations, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
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| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| 13:30 | Keynote Davide Iacovoni, Director General, Treasury Department, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Italy View recording |
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| 13:40 | In conversation with an Italian corporate issuer's CFO
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| 14:10 | Breakout sessions - track 2 | |
| 2A. Supporting real world decarbonisation in investment portfolios Moderator: Grover Burthey, Head of ESG Portfolio Management, PIMCO
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| 2B. Articulating official standards’ requirements and the Principles’ voluntary guidelines Moderator: Laurent Adoult, Head of FI & SSA Europe, Sustainable Investment Banking, Crédit Agricole CIB
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| 14:55 | Break | |
| 15:25 | London Climate Action Week Sean Kidney, CEO and Co-Founder, Climate Bonds Initiative |
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| 15:35 | Keynote Diane Menville, Associate Vice-President of the Financial Operations Department (FOD) and Chief Financial Officer, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) View recording |
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| 15:45 | Market experience with the new transition finance labels in the loan and bond markets Moderator: Orith Azoulay, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, Natixis
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| 16:30 | Closing speech | |
| 16:40 | Networking reception | |
| 18:00 | Event close |
