ESG & SUSTAINABLE FINANCE 2026
Explore global ESG trends and non-financial reporting frameworks.
22 January 2026, 17.00 GST (14.00 CET) | Online
Join us for a 60-minute online webinar exploring the latest global ESG and sustainable finance trends, with a focused look at non-financial reporting frameworks and GCC market dynamics. This open webinar promotes responsible and impactful investment practices and brings together regional and international perspectives.
A collaborative program between Interfima (Luxembourg) and MEBAS (UAE).
Who should attend
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Finance professionals and investment managers integrating ESG into decision-making.
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Corporate sustainability officers and reporting specialists.
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Policy makers and regulators overseeing ESG disclosure frameworks
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Banking, insurance, and asset management executives seeking regional insights.
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Academics, researchers, and students focusing on sustainable
finance and governance.
Benefits of Attending
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Understand the latest trends and drivers shaping sustainable finance.
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Gain clarity on ESG and non-financial reporting frameworks (CSRD, ISSB, ESRS).
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Explore the regional developments and opportunities within the GCC sustainable finance ecosystem.
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Discuss the market bifurcation between ESG-compliant and ESG-adverse (total return) investors.
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Engage in live discussion and Q&A with experts and peers from across sectors.
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Receive curated resources and reading materials following the session.
Agenda
17:00 – 17:05
Welcome & Poll - 'Which ESG focus best describes your organizaton?'
17:05 – 17:12
Trends in Sustainable Finance. Overview of global sustainable finance trends; macro drivers; introducton to the bifurcaton between ESG-compliant and ESG-adverse (total return) investors.
17:12 – 17:25
Updates in ESG / Non-Financial Reporting & Disclosure. Updates on global frameworks: CSRD, ISSB/IFRS S1-S2, GRI, SASB. Focus on harmonization, assurance, and practical compliance.
17:25 – 17:40
ESG & Sustainable Finance in the GCC Region. Regional perspectives on sustainable finance frameworks and ESG maturity in the GCC. Discussion of UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar case examples.
17:40 – 17:52
Interactive Discussion: The Investor Divide. Live discussion on the
emerging bifurcation between ESG-driven and total-return-driven
investment strategies and its implications.
17:52 – 18:00
Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways. Moderator summary of main insights, Q&A highlights, and recommended further reading resources.
Deniz Erkuş
Deniz is an internationally recognized speaker, master moderator, and ESG & impact advisor known for activating leaders, investors, and organizations toward a regenerative, conscious, and financially resilient future.
With nearly three decades in global finance, including leadership roles across multinational corporations, Deniz bridges capital, sustainability, and human consciousness to accelerate systemic transformation.
A dynamic and compelling speaker, Deniz brings a rare blend of strategic clarity, embodied leadership, and actionable foresight. Her words transform complexity into possibility, empowering audiences to unlock regenerative thinking, design net-positive business models, and mobilize capital toward sustainable prosperity. She is known for her ability to shift mindsets, spark collective intelligence, and holding spaces for breakthrough dialogue.
Deniz has spoken on influential stages across Switzerland (including the World Economic Forum in Davos), Türkiye, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, East Africa, the UAE, and Brazil. Her expertise spans impact measurement & management, conscious leadership, innovative
finance, AI for sustainability, climate financing and SDG-aligned investing.
L. Burke Files
Burke is an international business professional with over three decades of experience specializing in due diligence, financial investigations, and supporting sustainable business growth. He currently leads the risk management, due diligence, investment, and investigative efforts at FE&E INC., he founded to provide expert services that help owners
expand their environmentally-conscious businesses. Mr Files part of the London Stock Exchange Master Classes on ESG in 2023.
With a background working in international finance, due diligence across over 100 countries, Files brings extensive knowledge in providing accurate assessments required for informed decision-making. A key part of his due diligence expertise lies in identifying greenwashing - the practice of misleading claims about environmental practices. He previously founded FE&E in 1993 after roles as a commodity trader and director of corporate finance. Files continues to lend his expertise by serving on boards of private companies and organizations focused on ethical international finance, thorough due diligence, and anti-corruption efforts.
Files' diverse experiences across sustainability consulting, risk mitigation for green businesses, environmental fraud investigations, and more have made him a sought-after authority. He is an award-winning published author frequently quoted in media, has received commendations from the U.S. President, and speaks internationally on his areas of specialization.
Mark R Outhwaite
Mark is an international trainer with Interfima, bringing over 20
years of banking experience with a specialization in anti-money laundering (AML) and sustainable finance. The majority of his career was spent in front-office roles at major international banks in London's City, where he developed expertise in lending, assessing financial institutions strength, and serving as a senior risk manager and registered money laundering reporting officer.
As an Interfima trainer, Outhwaite draws from his decades of professional experience to deliver insightiul trainings on AML, ESG integration, and financial crime prevention. He advises banks, wealth managers, and other financial firms across Europe on implementing risk-based AML programs, conducting independent reviews, and aligning with sustainability principles and regulations. Outhwaite is a sought-after speaker, having presented at events hosted by groups like the Institute of Money Laundering Professionals and been featured on Accountancy TV.
Outhwaite's areas of specialization include financial crime compliance, ESG and sustainable investing, enterprise risk management, and making complex regulatory topics engaging for attendees. He holds certifications from bodies like the University of Warwick and has chaired financial crime conferences, leveraging his skills as a dynamic instructor alongside his deep subject matter expertise.
How to join the webinar?
The webinar will take place to Hapeiron, the digital learning platform of Interfima. Find the steps below on how to join the webinar.
Credentials and webinar url
After your registration, we will send you an email with your login credentials and the link of the webinar.