Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of clean energy innovations and regional cooperation, indicating a positive investment outlook for the clean energy sector in Asia and the Pacific [5][15]. Core Insights - The Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2025 focuses on empowering the future through clean energy innovations, regional cooperation, and financing solutions, highlighting the need for collaboration and pragmatic solutions to advance sustainable energy systems [8][10]. - The report outlines the critical role of regional cooperation in enhancing energy access, fostering economic growth, and ensuring environmental sustainability [30][44]. Summary by Sections ACEF 2025 Overview - The ACEF 2025 took place from June 2 to 6, 2025, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila, with over 1,500 participants from various sectors [15][18]. - The forum featured nearly 50 sessions focusing on clean energy innovation, regional cooperation, and financing solutions [15][20]. Thematic Track Sessions - **Technological Innovation**: This track explored advancements in renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and smart grids, emphasizing the need for equitable access and overcoming regulatory barriers [49][53]. - **Regional Power Trade and Market Integration**: The focus was on enhancing energy security and resource utilization through cross-border electricity trade, addressing regulatory and infrastructure challenges [59][64]. - **Energy Efficiency**: This track highlighted the importance of smart utilities, energy-efficient buildings, and industrial optimization to reduce energy consumption and improve security [69][72]. - **Private Sector and Partnership Financing**: The report discussed the role of innovative financing mechanisms and public-private partnerships in mobilizing capital for clean energy projects [78][81]. Key Takeaways - Regional cooperation is essential for optimizing power generation and enabling cross-border trade, which can lead to shared benefits and enhanced energy security [97][103]. - Clean energy investments are increasingly supported by innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance and thematic bonds, which are crucial for scaling up deployment [78][82]. - The transition to clean energy must prioritize inclusivity and affordability, ensuring that benefits are widely shared across communities and sectors [45][83].

Core Insights - Africa's abundant natural resources, young population, and expanding middle class are poised to redefine the continent's role in global economic growth and sustainable development [1][7] - The report emphasizes the importance of global collaboration and the need for Africa to harness its human capital and natural resources while leveraging new technologies for sustainable development [2][5] Economic Outlook - The report highlights that unlocking Africa's economic potential is crucial for faster long-term growth, particularly to enhance upward mobility for its rapidly expanding population [5] - Africa's vast critical mineral resources could serve as a pathway to unlocking economic potential [5] Financial Development - Multilateral lending institutions play a significant role in accelerating capital market development in Africa by providing financial, technical, and policy support [5] - Blended finance models are gaining traction as a means to mobilize private capital for Africa's climate and sustainable development goals, despite challenges such as fragmented markets and regulatory hurdles [5] Energy Transformation - Africa's energy transformation is seen as a critical area that requires innovative financing solutions to overcome existing financing gaps [5] - The continent's abundant natural resources present transformative potential for renewable energy [5] Infrastructure Investment - Successful infrastructure development in Africa depends on robust governance, legal clarity, and institutional capacity to attract investment [5] - Sustainable finance is on the rise in Africa, but current volumes are insufficient to meet critical development and infrastructure needs, particularly in climate adaptation and water security [5]

Core Insights - Hong Kong has the potential to bridge a significant climate-financing gap in Asia by accessing a global pool of over US$200 trillion for sustainable infrastructure projects [1][3] - There is a notable disparity between the available capital and the actual deployment of funds for climate action in the Asia-Pacific region, with a shortfall of approximately US$800 billion against the required US$1.1 trillion annual investment [3][4] Investment Landscape - The private sector's involvement in financing is crucial, as governments worldwide lack the fiscal capacity to meet the substantial investment needs for climate goals [2] - Institutional investors, particularly from North America and Europe, are currently seeking safer investment opportunities, which presents a challenge for emerging markets [5] Recent Trends - In the first half of the year, there was a six percentage point shift in global climate funding towards the Asia region, marking a significant reallocation of climate-themed capital [4] - Since 2015, over US$300 billion in labeled sustainable bonds have been issued in Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area, indicating the rapid development of the region's sustainable finance market [4] Investment Strategies - Blended finance, which combines capital with varying levels of risk, could attract institutional investors by providing them with the comfort needed to invest in higher-risk assets in emerging markets [5]

Core Insights - Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to supporting Ukraine's reconstruction through blended finance, ESG principles, and long-term investment [2][3] - The bank operates in Ukraine through its subsidiary Pravex Bank, making it the only Italian banking group with a presence in the country [3] Group Commitment and Strategy - Intesa Sanpaolo adopts a prudent approach in the current geopolitical landscape, avoiding excessive risk while preparing to support reconstruction projects when conditions permit [3] - The Group collaborates with supranational institutions like the EBRD and EIB to contribute to development projects aimed at rebuilding Ukraine [3] Economic Revitalization - Rebuilding Ukraine's economy necessitates both private capital and support from supranational financial institutions, with Intesa Sanpaolo playing a crucial role in blended finance mechanisms [3] - The Group emphasizes stability and local development, focusing on long-term investments in regions where sustainable growth is possible [3] Inclusive Growth and ESG Alignment - Intesa Sanpaolo promotes inclusive growth, financial education, and ESG-aligned financing in all its operational regions, including Ukraine [3] - The bank aims to support not only economic reconstruction but also the long-term sustainable development of local communities in Ukraine [3] Green Financing Initiatives - As a leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy, Intesa Sanpaolo offers dedicated green credit lines and a growing portfolio of sustainable products, which can aid in Ukraine's future rebuilding efforts [3]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment outlook for infrastructure, particularly in developed markets, with a notable rebound in greenfield investments and a projected recovery in secondary market activities as interest rates decline [9][11][84]. Core Insights - Global private investment in infrastructure projects increased by 10 percent in 2023, primarily driven by developed markets, while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) saw a slight decline [9][10]. - Infrastructure fundraising faced significant challenges in 2023, with total capital raised dropping to $94.9 billion, nearly half of 2022 levels, but is expected to stabilize in 2024 [18][84]. - Infrastructure debt remains attractive to investors due to its reliable cash flows and historically lower default rates compared to non-financial corporate debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 77 percent in 2023 [25][84]. - Renewable energy and transport sectors dominate infrastructure investment, accounting for two-thirds of total activity, with a significant surge in private investment in hydrogen projects [31][36]. - The report highlights a growing divergence in investment levels between high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs, with HICs experiencing a 15 percent increase in infrastructure investment in primary markets [45][46]. Summary by Sections Greenfield Investment - Greenfield investment in developed markets continues to rebound, while growth in emerging markets lags, with investment levels significantly higher than the five-year average [9][10]. Rising Interest Rates - Rising interest rates have tempered return expectations across most infrastructure fund types, leading to a significant decline in fundraising [17][18]. Infrastructure Resilience - Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, private infrastructure financing has maintained a stable debt-to-equity ratio, with infrastructure debt demonstrating lower default rates [25][84]. Policy and Incentives - Policy changes have influenced investor strategies, with renewable energy and transport consistently dominating investment, while digital infrastructure has gained importance [31][32]. Investment Gaps - There is a widening investment gap between HICs and LMICs, with LMICs representing less than 20 percent of overall volumes compared to 30 percent a decade ago [46][47]. Regulatory Frameworks - Strengthening regulatory frameworks is essential for attracting private capital in emerging markets, with improvements potentially increasing investment by approximately $500 million [54][58]. Development Institutions - Development institutions play a critical role in mobilizing private capital in LMICs, providing co-financing for 30 percent of total private investment [61][62]. Blended Finance - Blended finance and guarantees are effective tools for bridging investment gaps, with evidence showing that projects backed by guarantees have higher private commercial debt participation [65][67]. Local Currency Financing - Local currency financing for private investment in infrastructure projects in LMICs decreased to 37 percent in 2023, highlighting the need for stronger local markets [72][73]. Capital Markets - There is a growing shift towards leveraging domestic and international capital markets to mobilize long-term funding for infrastructure projects [78][79]. Conclusion - The report concludes that while private investment in infrastructure has faced volatility, it has shown resilience, particularly in the context of rising interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty [83][84].