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ASrIA joins with global partners to demand green action from G20

Hong Kong, 1 April 2009 - ASrIA, the Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia, has joined with its sister organisations across the globe to send a message to world leaders meeting in London tomorrow to address the global financial and economic crisis.

In their statement "Transforming global capital markets", the six-strong network of global sustainable and responsible finance organisations says:

"The current economic crisis affords a unique opportunity and imperative to transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient and socially sustainable economy. As the umbrella organizations for the sustainable and responsible finance industry worldwide, we call on world leaders to respond to this challenge by incorporating sustainability and social responsibility measures into both the economic stimulus packages for short-term recovery and the longer-term reform of the credit and investment markets."

The statement outlines the measures proposed. These include (a) financial instruments and incentives to building the green economy using private investment alongside direct government support and (b) financial reform measures to require greater transparency and facilitate responsible ownership.

Claire McLetchie, ASrIA Executive Director said:
"It is critical that the London Summit sets the world on course for a sustainable recovery and that governments globally and across the Asian region commit to support and act on these initiatives."

- Ends -

Contact
Claire McLetchie, Executive Director, ASrIA
Tel (852) 3105 3701, claire@asria.org

Transforming global capital markets - Statement from the global sustainable and responsible finance industry.pdf

Notes to Editors
About ASrIA
ASrIA is a not for profit, membership association dedicated to promoting corporate responsibility and sustainable investment practice in the Asia Pacific region. ASrIA's members include leading financial institutions, asset managers, pension funds, research providers, corporate and non-governmental organisations.  Our goal is to build market capacity for SRI. We provide insightful, up to date and accessible information on the development of SRI in Asia and globally.  ASrIA has taken a leadership role in promoting sustainable investment in Asia since our founding in 2001.  Our website, www.asria.org, is the is the primary resource for SRI in Asia.

About the other sustainable and responsible finance organisations
For information, please visit
Australasia: www.responsibleinvestment.org
Europe: www.eurosif.org
Canada:  www.socialinvestment.ca
United Kingdom: www.uksif.org
USA www.socialinvest.org

About the London Summit
On 2 April 2009, world leaders gather in London to address the global financial and economic crisis. For details, visit the London Summit website at www.londonsummit.gov.uk.