PRI in Person 2025 Connects Global Investors in São Paulo

From November 4 to 6, 2025, the annual PRI in Person event took place in São Paulo, Brazil, organized by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). This gathering is considered a pivotal meeting for the global responsible investment community, focusing on the theme “Global challenges, resilient strategies, investable opportunities.” The event also served as an official component of the COP30 Business and Finance Forum, drawing nearly 1,300 participants from various sectors.

The conference provided a platform for regulators, financial institutions, and academics to collaborate on accelerating sustainable economic solutions through business and finance. Among the prominent attendees was E Fund Management Co., Ltd., a leading asset management firm from China renowned for its commitment to responsible investment. E Fund was one of the first Chinese institutions to join PRI in 2017 and has since integrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its investment strategies.

Discussions on ESG Strategies in Asia

A key session titled “Navigating Risk and Unlocking Opportunities in Asia’s High Growth Markets” addressed sustainability trends and challenges in the region. Jane Cheng, Head of ESG Research at E Fund, represented Chinese institutions in this discussion, which included participants from Neuberger Berman, Seviora Group, DSP Asset Managers, and PRI Asia Pacific. Cheng highlighted that while ESG development in Asia started later than in other regions, the last few years have seen significant improvements in regulatory frameworks and innovations.

China has made notable advancements in its ESG policy landscape, particularly in areas such as data accessibility and corporate awareness. The country’s initiatives are guided by its “Dual Carbon” goals, which aim for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. As a result, China’s industrial and financial sectors are increasingly transitioning towards environmentally responsible and low-carbon development pathways.

Strengthening Cooperation Between Emerging Markets

During a side event titled “Emerging Market Responsible Investment Practice – China and Brazil,” Wilson Wei, Chief ESG Analyst at E Fund, moderated a panel discussion that included representatives from FAIRR, HSBC Asset Management, Itaú Asset Management, and B3 (Brazilian Stock Exchange). The session focused on the cross-border supply-chain linkages between China and Brazil, combining global insights with local knowledge to pinpoint innovative ESG practices and explore avenues for enhanced sustainability cooperation.

At this side event, E Fund and Itaú Asset Management jointly released the “Responsible Investment in China & Brazil Whitepaper.” This document outlines recent developments and practical examples from both countries regarding sustainability disclosure frameworks, taxonomy standards, and product guidelines. The publication aims to further facilitate collaboration between China and Brazil in the field of responsible investment.

Through forums like PRI in Person 2025, the global investment community continues to engage in meaningful dialogue on sustainable economic practices, demonstrating a collective commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.