Century Financial backs Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration
Dubai, UAE – Century Financial, a leading investment and wealth management firm in the UAE, has signed the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, reaffirming its dedication to fostering a greener financial services sector and supporting the UAE's vision for a sustainable economy.
The green finance sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, powered by regional and global momentum. In the UAE, ESG-related investments exceeded AED 22 billion in 2023 alone, reflecting an impressive 35% annual increase. The global trajectory mirrors this regional surge, with ESG assets under management projected to exceed USD 53 trillion by 2025, constituting more than a third of total global managed assets. This rapid expansion highlights the shifting investor preferences and increasing regulatory emphasis on sustainability.
By joining the declaration, Century Financial strengthens its commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its investment strategies and contributing to the UAE's transition towards a sustainable financial ecosystem. Century Financial will collaborate with other signatories to drive green investment initiatives and promote responsible financial practices that align with global sustainability standards.
Bal Krishen, Chairman and Sameera Fernandes, Advisory Board Member, Century Financial, commented, 'Our commitment to sustainable finance comes at a pivotal moment when the UAE is rapidly establishing itself as a regional hub for climate-conscious investment. We are honored to be part of this transformative movement towards sustainable finance. As an advocate for responsible investing, we recognize the importance of aligning financial services with sustainability goals. This initiative marks a significant step forward in reinforcing ESG-driven strategies that contribute to a greener and more resilient economy.'
We expect the following trends to shape the UAE's green finance market in the next 3–5 years:
Mainstreaming of Green Sukuks: With the UAE issuing its first federal green bond worth USD 1.5 billion in 2023, we anticipate a surge in Shariah-compliant sustainable instruments.
Rise of Climate Tech Investments: Fintech platforms, carbon credit exchanges, and climate analytics tools will attract venture capital.
Integration of ESG in Real Estate Portfolios: With construction contributing to over 40% of carbon emissions in the UAE, sustainable real estate investments will see increased inflows.
Mandatory ESG Reporting: Regulatory mandates from ADGM, DIFC, and SCA will further institutionalize ESG disclosures and push adoption across listed and private firms.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, launched in 2019, is a voluntary initiative that aims to promote sustainable finance practices in line with the UAE's Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative. It is supported by key government entities, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Central Bank of the UAE, and the Securities and Commodities Authority.
'The UAE is at the forefront of driving sustainable development, and we are proud to contribute to this vision by embedding ESG principles into our financial services. We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders and policymakers to drive impactful change and foster a sustainable investment landscape in the region', they further added.
Century Financial joins a distinguished group of signatories, including the Central Bank of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Deloitte, and leading global banks such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, BNP Paribas, Citibank, HSBC, ING Bank, Macquarie, and UniCredit.
As a trusted financial advisory firm with over three decades of expertise, Century Financial remains committed to shaping a future where financial growth and sustainability go hand in hand. Through strategic collaborations and innovative investment solutions, the firm continues to champion responsible finance and contribute to the UAE's green economy ambitions.
About Century Financial
Century Financial is a leading investment services company based in the United Arab Emirates. With a legacy spanning over 35 years, Century Financial has been at the forefront of providing excellent client services and a wide range of trading instruments across various asset classes. The company's commitment to client education and its dedication to delivering a superior trading experience have earned it a trusted reputation among UAE investors.
For more information, please visit https://century.ae/
For editorial enquiries, please contact Matrix PR -
Krishika Mahesh: krishika@matrixdubai.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
13 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SEWA launches 10 lighting projects in Kalba
Key projects underway Engineer Youssef Al Hammadi, Director of SEWA's Kalba Department, confirmed that the authority is executing development and lighting works according to a defined timeline, following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah . Among the significant projects in progress is the lighting of main roads in the new industrial zone, where SEWA is installing 100 lighting poles and 200 fixtures, in addition to laying 11,000 metres of electrical cables. The project began in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by July, with an estimated cost of AED 2 million . Work is also ongoing on the second phase of Al Hefaiyah Lake lighting project, aimed at fully covering the tourist area with modern lighting units. This phase is valued at AED 1.5 million . In the second phase of the Jabal Deem lighting project, SEWA is implementing specialised technical solutions due to the area's unique geography, with a budget reaching AED 13 million . Additional work is being carried out in the Ghail area, including the installation of 400 lighting units and 250 poles, alongside 15,000 metres of electrical cables . Upgrades are also taking place on Kalba–Sharjah Road, Lake Street, and within the University District, where 1,400 traditional lights are being replaced with energy-efficient LED fixtures . The authority's lighting efforts in Kalba also include the implementation of an annual maintenance programme for the city's lighting network, as well as a dedicated project to improve lighting in the residential area of Al Qadisiya . Completed projects Several lighting projects have been completed in recent months. One of the most notable is the lighting of Khatmit Al Malaha Road, finished in April 2025, which included the installation of 100 lights, 50 poles, and 7,000 metres of cabling. Another completed project is the lighting of Saad bin Abi Waqqas Street, which saw the installation of 100 lights, 60 poles, and 10,000 metres of electric cable . These initiatives reflect SEWA's continued commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and enhanced public safety across Kalba .
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Dubai Mall Unveils Ambitious Expansion Amidst Soaring Visitor Numbers
Dubai Mall is set to undergo a significant expansion, with Emaar Properties announcing a substantial investment of AED 1.5 billion to enhance the mall's offerings. The development will introduce 240 new luxury retail stores and food and beverage outlets, further solidifying the mall's position as a premier global shopping destination. In 2023, Dubai Mall achieved a remarkable milestone by welcoming 105 million visitors, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. This surge in footfall underscores the mall's growing appeal and the emirate's broader strategy to boost tourism and retail sectors. The expansion aims to accommodate this increasing demand and enhance the overall visitor experience. Spanning over 1.2 million square meters, Dubai Mall currently houses more than 1,200 retail outlets, including flagship stores like Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's. The mall also offers over 200 international dining options and a range of entertainment attractions, such as the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Olympic-sized ice rink, a 26-screen cinema, and the Zabeel Sports District. The upcoming expansion will build upon these offerings, introducing new luxury brands and dining experiences to cater to diverse visitor preferences. ADVERTISEMENT Emaar Properties has already commenced on-site preparations for the expansion, although a specific completion date has not been disclosed. The project reflects Dubai's ambitious vision to remain at the forefront of global innovation and culture, aiming to further enhance the city's status as a top international destination. The expansion also aligns with broader trends in the United Arab Emirates' retail sector. Despite global shifts towards online shopping, the UAE has witnessed a 14% increase in retail spending, driven by sectors such as fashion, general retail, and leisure and entertainment. This growth highlights the continued relevance and appeal of brick-and-mortar retail experiences in the region. In addition to the Dubai Mall expansion, other major retail developments are underway in the city. For instance, Majid Al Futtaim has announced a $1.36 billion investment to expand the Mall of the Emirates, another prominent shopping destination in Dubai. These initiatives underscore the city's commitment to enhancing its retail infrastructure and offering unparalleled shopping experiences to residents and tourists alike.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Asian equities see largest monthly foreign inflow in 15 months
Asian equities attracted strong foreign inflows in May as concerns over an immediate economic hit from higher US tariffs eased, prompting a return by investors who had previously exited large and concentrated positions in the region. The inflows marked a sharp reversal after four consecutive months of net foreign selling. According to data from LSEG, foreign investors bought approximately $10.65 billion worth of equities across India, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, registering their largest monthly net purchase since February 2024. US President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs in early April stoked concerns over the impact on Asian exports, exporter margins, and regional supply chains, but a subsequent 90-day pause for most countries later in the month helped ease investor fears and revive interest in regional assets. Goldman Sachs said it has revised its earnings growth forecast for MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan (MXAPJ) to 9 per cent for both 2025 and 2026, raising estimates by 2 and 1 percentage points, respectively, citing stronger macro growth in China and US-exposed markets. The upgrade was also supported by $600 billion in AI-related investments from Saudi Arabia to US firms, which are expected to benefit Taiwan and Korea, though the impact may be partially offset by a weaker dollar, the brokerage said. Taiwan equities witnessed $7.28 billion worth of foreign inflows, the largest monthly cross-border net purchase since November 2023. Foreigners also acquired a significant $2.34 billion worth of Indian stocks in their largest monthly net purchase since September 2024. South Korean, Indonesian and Philippine stocks also saw foreign inflows worth a net $885 million, $338 million and $290 million, respectively, while Thai stocks suffered $491 million of net selling. Despite heightened market volatility in the first half of the year driven by concerns over President Trump's trade policies, the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index has risen about 8.8 per cent year-to-date, outperforming both the MSCI World Index, which is up 5.4 per cent, and the S&P 500 Index, which has gained 0.98 per cent. Asian currencies were steady on Friday and poised for weekly gains after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping signalled further trade talks, while most regional equities tracked Wall Street's overnight losses. In India, equities reversed course to rise 0.9 per cent after the Reserve Bank of India delivered a larger-than-expected cut to its key repo rate and lowered the cash reserve ratio to bolster economic growth. 'The RBI may have decided to move quickly to a more appropriate policy rate level. A shift towards neutral stance means more rate cuts may be unlikely in the near-term,' Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy at SMBC, said. The rupee inched up 0.1 per cent to 85.74 per dollar. Other regional currencies moved within a narrow band. The Thai baht and Singapore dollar were largely flat but were on track for weekly gains of 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively. The Malaysian ringgit was up nearly 0.6 per cent for the week. MSCI's index of emerging market currencies was flat after touching an all-time high on Thursday. The index is up 0.5 per cent for the week. The dollar index was little changed, after hitting a six-week low on Thursday, and was headed for a weekly loss of 0.5 per cent. Trump's erratic tariff moves and a worsening US fiscal outlook have triggered a flight from the dollar, prompting analysts to expect most emerging market currencies will retain or build on their gains over the next six months. In their closely watched hour-long phone call on Thursday, Xi pressed Trump to ease trade tensions that have rattled the global economy and warned against provocative moves on Taiwan, according to a summary released by the Chinese government. But Trump said on social media that the talks, focused primarily on trade, led to 'a very positive conclusion'. 'The talks look positive, and coupled with Federal Reserve rate cut expectations due to weak US data, might lead to further USD softening,' said Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX research at Maybank. Markets are now bracing for the US jobs and non-farm payrolls report due later in the day, with concerns that a downside surprise could stoke stagflation fears and boost pressure on the Federal Reserve to quickly ease policy. Reuters
