Equator Principles 2024 Annual Meeting (25-28 November)

The Equator Principles held its 2024 Annual Meeting from 25-28 November in Madrid, Spain and were pleased to see 130 attendees, representing 60 Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs).

EPFIs used the four days to focus on how to strengthen quality and consistency of implementation of the EPs, as well as looking more broadly to the wider E&S landscape. The meeting further demonstrated the strength of the EP network as EPFI colleagues used the opportunity to learn from one another, engaging in valuable knowledge sharing, as well as benefitting from technical training and broad ranging workshop sessions.

Consistency and Quality – Training and EP4 Implementation

EPFIs were pleased to welcome colleagues from the IFC who once again delivered detailed technical training on aspects of the Performance Standards. For the first time, EPFIs also had a full day of intensive deep dive EP transaction training delivered by a highly experienced E&S consultant.

EPFIs also considered various aspects of shared challenges to identify opportunities to enhance the support offered to EPFIs to effectively implement EP4 – through improved Guidance, informal knowledge sharing and topic specific training.

Keeping pace

Recognising that EP sits amongst a complex and rapidly evolving E&S landscape, EPFIs appreciated the opportunity to hear updates from both IFC and OECD. EPFIs also engaged in a number of sessions that used the opportunity provided by a gathering of E&S practitioners to consider the broader issues that impact their work.

Launch of second Activity Report

We also used the opportunity to release our second Equator Principles Activity Report. The report shares data submitted by EPFIs to cover the 2023 calendar year, and builds on the format used last year, further enhanced with additional commentary and showcases EP Projects from 5 EPFIs.

“In my first Annual Meeting as EP Chair, I was pleased to join with 130 practitioners from over 60 EPFIs in Madrid for four days of training and workshops. In addition to our EP-themed presentations were sessions covering climate transition plans and sustainable finance. EPFIs play an important role in the energy transition as well as in financing the real economy, and the Equator Principles will continue to be important as a risk management framework to responsibly finance those projects.”

Andrew Scott, EP Chair, ING

“Our 2024 EP Annual Meeting in Madrid has clearly shown the value and opportunity provided by being an active Signatory of the Equator Principles and meeting face to face. The training provided and the discussions within and around the meetings build credible and robust E&S skills and experience for the benefit of all EPFIs in order to effectively manage E&S risks in projects and related financing. Many attendees have said this helps to enable EPFI borrowers and clients to better understand, meet and maintain good international industry practice in this expanding arena.”

 Max Griffin, EP CEO

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
EP Primary Contact: Courtenay Smith
Email: secretariat@equator-principles.com
Telephone: +44 7764 435 921