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Held in Shanghai under the theme “Sustainable Finance in the Digital Era: The Integration of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology and Sustainable Investment and Financing,” the seminar brought together academics, market participants, and industry representatives to exchange views on sustainable finance, disclosure, digital technology, and long-term capital allocation.

Liu Liya delivered opening remarks at the seminar, addressing the development of emerging disciplines as well as green finance and the digital economy.

Arboris Global Partners attended the 13th (2025) SIIFC International Seminar held in Shanghai on 17 May 2025. The seminar was themed “Sustainable Finance in the Digital Era: The Integration of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology and Sustainable Investment and Financing.” Public information indicates that the event was jointly organised by the Shanghai International Finance Center Institute of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Edinburgh Business School, and the Shanghai Institute of International Finance and Economics, among others, and was held at Shanghai Yuehai Hotel.

The seminar brought together academics, financial-market participants, and institutional representatives to discuss frontier issues and development opportunities in sustainable finance. Public reporting indicates that opening remarks were delivered by Liu Liya, Vice President of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Ye Guobiao, Party Secretary and Chairman of Shanghai Securities News. Their remarks addressed themes including emerging disciplines, green finance, the digital economy, and sustainable development.

Ye Guobiao delivered remarks during the opening session, sharing views on sustainable development, clean-energy transition, and the role of sustainable finance.

A key feature of the seminar was the release of the SIIFC International Financial Center City Index by Ma Wenjie, Dean of the Shanghai International Finance Center Institute. According to public reporting, the index compared New York, Shanghai, London, Singapore, and Tokyo across five dimensions: financial-system development, degree of financial internationalisation, service to the real economy, financial regulation and risk prevention, and talent and business environment. Shanghai was reported to rank second overall, behind New York.

The keynote sessions also addressed sustainability-related disclosure, sustainable financing, climate-related investment, and the application of digital technology across financial systems. Publicly available materials indicate that keynote speakers included Zhang Zhengwei of the ISSB Beijing Office, Xiao Jianliang of the New Development Bank, and a number of experts from international financial and academic institutions. Topics discussed included sustainability disclosure frameworks, non-financial information, ESG data quality, digital financial infrastructure, and climate-related investment mechanisms.

Ma Wenjie released the SIIFC International Financial Center City Index, outlining a comparative assessment of major international financial centres.

Zhang Zhengwei delivered a keynote address on sustainability-related disclosure and the role of non-financial information in investment decision-making.

The seminar highlighted the importance of reliable data, clear governance and practical implementation in cross-border sustainability initiatives. For clients exploring these themes, Arboris provides research, strategic consultancy and coordination with relevant professional advisers. Investment decisions and regulated activities, where applicable, remain the responsibility of appropriately authorised providers.

For cross-border projects, data integrity, sustainability-related disclosure and digital capability can inform due diligence and strategic planning. Their practical implications vary by market, project structure and applicable requirements.

Arboris supports family offices, businesses and institutions with cross-border strategy and coordination across China, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

About Arboris Global Partners

Arboris Global Partners is a Singapore-based international consultancy centre connecting clients and professional partners across China, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. We provide cross-border research, strategic consulting and coordination. Where a service requires regulatory authorisation, it is provided by an appropriately licensed or authorised partner within that partner’s permitted scope.