At the AVPN Global Conference 2025, Dr. Ma Jun, Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA) and CASI, spoke with Oriel Morrison about how Asia is accelerating the green transition by strengthening bridges between regulators, governments, and the private sector.

Asia now accounts for around 70% of new renewable capacity and around 50% of global investment, driven in part by green financing. China alone has reached a green lending market of est. USD 6 trillion, signaling strong momentum. Yet significant gaps remain elsewhere in the region: across ASEAN and broader Asia, an estimated 80% of renewable energy demand is still underfunded. The challenge is not ambition, Dr. Ma emphasized, but capacity - across governments, banks, and project developers—to identify, structure, and finance viable green projects.

Hong Kong plays a pivotal connector role, linking Chinese technology with global capital and channeling financing to where it’s most needed. To address uneven development in sustainable finance, the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), launched in 2023, is focused on building capacity at policy, bank, and project levels, particularly in developing countries. CASI has trained 6,500 professionals from 90 jurisdictions and is expanding its online training—using AI to scale access and reduce cost—to equip practitioners with practical tools for real transactions.

Looking ahead, Dr. Ma sees technology and connectivity as the multipliers: integrating green trade, green technology, and green finance to direct resources efficiently to high-impact climate opportunities. By enhancing capability and connectivity across the region, Asia can convert its leading position into accelerated, bankable climate action.

Watch the full interview with Dr. Ma Jun and Oriel Morrison: Asia leading the world in green finance - APAC Network