The International Seminar «ESG Transformation: The Challenges for Emerging Capital Markets»

On the 8^th and 9^th of December, the School of Finance successfully hosted the international seminar “ESG Transformation: Challenges in Emerging Markets”

The Head of the School of Finance prof. Ivashkovskaya noted: “This seminar demonstrates the significant interest from researchers from the BRICS countries and other emerging markets. It will further become an effective and regular forum for the academic exchange of ideas in the field of financial practices for sustainable development in the countries of Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and the EAEU.”
During the seminar researchers from leading universities in China, Ghana, Romania and Russia presented their developments and exchanged views on pressing issues in such areas as the impact of sustainable development practices on business value, ESG rating issues, the impact of ESG practices on the development of corporate governance and financial architecture of business. The practices of preparation and disclosure of non-financial reporting were considered, as well as trends in the development of financial instruments for sustainable development. Research results show that companies which pay significant attention to digital transformation have a higher level of maturity in non-financial reporting practices. At the same time, improving the quality of sustainability reporting improves the informativeness of ESG ratings. The round table participants paid special attention to the features of ESG transformation in particular emerging markets. Finally, a productive discussion was held on the role of the board of directors and senior management in effective promotion of the sustainability agenda in business. The best studies will be published in the next book in the series “Advanced studies in Emerging Markets Finance” by Springer.