(March 25, 2026) ADFIAP Secretary General Enrique Florencio delivered a keynote presentation this morning at a high‑level conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, hosted by the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB). Florencio was invited by ARDB to speak on “Advancing Green Finance for Sustainable Regional Growth,” in alignment with the event’s theme, “Accelerating Inclusive Green Finance in Cambodia: Strengthening Financial Institutions for Climate‑Resilient and Sustainable Development.”
The conference convened leaders from government, development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral organizations, and the private sector to address the urgent need for climate‑aligned financing solutions in one of Asia’s most climate‑vulnerable countries.
In his address, Florencio emphasized the central role of financial institutions in driving climate‑resilient and inclusive growth. He highlighted the increasing climate risks faced by Asia‑Pacific economies, the widening financing gap for adaptation and resilience, and the need for stronger institutional capacity to support climate‑aligned lending.
“Financial institutions are now at the frontlines of climate action,” Florencio noted during his presentation. “Strengthening their capacity is essential to ensuring that climate finance reaches the communities and sectors that need it most.”
ADFIAP’s Framework for Advancing Green Finance
Florencio presented an ADFIAP‑aligned framework for scaling green finance across the region, focusing on:
- Strengthening ESG and climate risk management systems
- Expanding green financial products for MSMEs and rural communities
- Mobilizing capital for climate‑resilient infrastructure
- Enhancing regional cooperation among DFIs
He underscored the importance of inclusive green finance, particularly for Cambodia’s agriculture‑dependent communities, which are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Spotlight on ADFIAP’s Nexus+ Facility
A key highlight of Florencio’s presentation was the introduction of ADFIAP’s Nexus+ Facility, the Association’s flagship platform designed to help DFIs scale green and blue finance.
Florencio explained how Nexus+ directly supports the conference theme by:
- Strengthening institutional readiness for climate‑aligned lending
- Supporting the development of bankable green and blue projects
- Facilitating access to climate funds and impact investors
- Promoting inclusive green finance for MSMEs, farmers, and rural communities
“Nexus+ is our way of helping institutions move from commitment to implementation,” he said. “It is a practical mechanism for accelerating inclusive green finance across the region.”
A Call for Collaboration
Florencio also highlighted successful examples from ADFIAP members, including climate‑smart agriculture financing, renewable energy investments, and nature‑based solutions. He called for deeper collaboration among DFIs, regulators, and development partners to unlock the scale of financing required for climate‑resilient development.
“Cambodia’s leadership in inclusive green finance is inspiring,” he remarked. “Through regional cooperation and strengthened institutions, we can build a future where growth is not only sustainable, but also resilient and inclusive.”
About ARDB
The Agricultural and Rural Development Bank of Cambodia, a long‑standing ADFIAP member, serves as the country’s principal development bank supporting agriculture, rural development, and climate‑resilient growth. ARDB’s leadership in hosting this event underscores its commitment to advancing inclusive green finance and strengthening Cambodia’s financial ecosystem for climate‑aligned development.
