The Climate Handbook

• IMAS unveils three major initiatives to support the industry: the Climate Handbook, the Climate BOT and an exclusive partnership with CAIA on alternative investments training.

• Global investment leaders come together to unpack how geopolitics, demographic shifts, and climate challenges are reshaping financial markets in the evolving landscape.

• Expert-led masterclasses discuss practical insights on climate transition, total portfolio approach, asset allocation, risk management, OCIO solutions and the evolving role of ETFs.

Singapore, 23 April 2025 – The IMAS Investment Conference & Masterclass 2025 brings together global investment leaders to tackle some of the most urgent shifts in the financial landscape — from geopolitical tensions, shift in demographics, and evolving investor expectations amidst a fraying international order with looming trade tensions. Under the theme “Navigating an Evolving Landscape”, opening remarks by Mr Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), set the tone for a programme focused on resilience and reinvention. 

As black swan events—from trade tensions to regional conflicts and geopolitics—become more frequent, a fireside chat featuring Marko Papic, Chief Strategist for Macro-Geopolitics at BCA Research, and Mark Tan, Managing Director and Head, Macro Research, GIC Pte Ltd, addresses how political and macro forces will drive capital markets and uncover long-term geopolitical alpha.

Among the conference’s key panels, Dr. Man Juttijudata, Deputy Secretary-General, Investment Strategy & External Fund Management Group Government Pension Fund, Thailand, Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn, Chief Executive Officer, Employees Provident Fund, and Dr. Mark Konyn, Group Chief Investment Officer, AIA Group discuss how longer life expectancies are reshaping retirement planning, and how financial systems and technology must adapt to shifting demographic needs.

Masterclasses led by seasoned experts deliver actionable perspectives on climate transition, total portfolio approach, asset allocation shifts, risk management, OCIO solutions and the evolving role of ETFs. The sessions address the key forces transforming the industry, offering practical insights to help professionals adapt strategies, manage risks, and future-proof portfolios in an uncertain landscape. 

Carmen Wee, CEO of IMAS said, “At IMAS, we are committed to closing knowledge gaps and fostering collaboration across the investment community. The IMAS Investment Conference and Masterclass was created by investors for investors, providing a platform for asset owners, fund managers, regulators, and ecosystem partners to tackle the challenges shaping our industry. As innovation and shifting global dynamics redefine the search for alpha, it is critical that we equip investment professionals with the insights and tools to adapt and thrive.”

Building on this vision, the day marked the launch of several key initiatives: 

1. The Climate Handbook, a joint publication by Amundi and IMAS, serves as an extensive guide for investors to integrate climate risks and opportunities within their portfolios. The Handbook is a significant resource that takes readers through the sustainability journey, beginning from an in-depth exploration of the financial materiality of climate change and the concept of double materiality, providing an overview of key climate-related risks and opportunities for investors. It particularly explores how investors can make use of scenario analysis as an effective tool to assess and model the impact of climate risks on their portfolios.

Commenting on the launch, Jean-Jacques Barbéris, Director of the Institutional and Corporate Clients division & ESG, Amundi said, “Climate change is a pressing reality that requires urgent action. Financial institutions have a pivotal role to play by aligning their investments with sustainability goals and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. The newly released Climate Handbook serves as a catalyst for investors in the fight against climate change, providing a step-by-step guide to effectively integrating climate considerations into investment strategies. By empowering investors with such practical tools, we can work together to ensure that financial decisions make a positive contribution to the environment and society.”

“As time runs out, investors are in an influential position to drive meaningful change for generations to come,” said Sylvia Chen, Head of ESG, South Asia, Amundi. “As a pioneer in responsible investing, Amundi is proud to collaborate with IMAS in developing this significant resource, and further enhance our commitment to sustainability, responsible investing in Asia, and beyond.” 

“Congratulations to IMAS and Amundi on the launch of the Climate Handbook, which is a valuable resource that provides practical guidance on responsible investing. By outlining key frameworks, the handbook equips investors with the tools to assess climate-related risks and opportunities, helping to inform and strengthen decision-making in sustainable investments. This initiative also supports the broader sustainable finance ecosystem in building climate-resilient investment portfolios and advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy.” said Ms Pamela Lee, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore.

2. The Climate BOT, a first-of-its-kind investment tool that makes climate conscious investing accessible for the region. Investment professionals are increasingly expected to interpret complex and technical climate research in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. To bridge this gap, Climate BOT — the first Gen AI-powered chatbot built specifically for the investment community — offers instant, conversational answers to climate-related investment questions in multiple Southeast Asian languages, including English, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Powered by SEA-LION[1], a family of Southeast Asian large language models developed by AI Singapore, Climate BOT democratises climate knowledge by making technical ESG and climate data and frameworks more accessible — not just to large global institutions, but to investors across the region. A first-of-its-kind tool for Southeast Asia’s finance sector, it supports IMAS' mission to build a collaborative and climate-conscious investment community. 

"We’re excited to support IMAS in the launch of the Climate BOT – a smart, accessible tool built on our SEA-LION models to bring climate insights closer to investors in Asia. This is a step towards our vision with SEA-LION for an open-source, community-driven AI." said Leslie Teo, Senior Director, AI Singapore.

To truly help the regional investors understand this complex, rapidly evolving topic of responsible investing, there is a need to continuously engage many partners, integrate more literature, overcome language barriers and provide investors with guidance in their native language, harness technology to provide help that is easily accessible at their fingertips.

3. Exclusive Partnership with Chartered Alternative Investment Association (CAIA) on UniFi by CAIA brings to the industry Fundamentals of Alternative Investments (FAI) and a series of micro-credentials seeking to equip investors with fundamental knowledge on alternative strategies, risk drivers and portfolio implementation. Hosted on IMAS’ iLearn, offers bite sized learning for traditional asset managers seeking to understand the private market and alternative investments. 

"At CAIA Association, we are excited about the opportunity to partner with IMAS as the sole distributor of our UniFi by CAIA™ programs in Singapore. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to enhancing the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the dynamic world of alternative investments. Together, we aim to empower professionals with the essential tools and insights they need to navigate complex markets and deliver exceptional value to their clients" said Mr Nick Pollard, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Region, CAIA Association.

Jenny Sofian, Chairman of IMAS, said: “In this climate of fragmentation and flux, the need for clear direction, stronger regional ties, and principled leadership is greater than ever. The three key initiatives introduced today reflect our industry’s readiness to evolve, adapt, and lead.  They will empower the industry to stand stronger, forge bold partnerships, and enhance regional cooperation, creating a thriving ecosystem for asset management.”

More details about the conference programme and masterclasses can be found here: https://imas.org.sg/imasconference2025/programme/  

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About the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) 

The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) was founded on 22nd September 1997 by 10 major financial institutions in Singapore and has since grown to include more than 160 members. As a representative body of investment managers, IMAS spearheads the development of the industry in Singapore, by fostering high standards of professionalism amongst practitioners and creating public awareness of, and interest in the industry. We act as a forum for members, promote exemplary best practices, represent members collectively, educate investors, and improve standards of research and fund management expertise, as a collective drive to promote the investment management industry.

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