Bangkok, 28 June 2024 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) together with CFA Institute* and CFA Society Thailand develop Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products Handbook in Thai version to facilitate Thai business operators in utilizing such handbook as a guidance in disclosing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information for investment products that are in line with the international standards and the SEC regulations.

Ms. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary-General of the SEC, revealed: “The SEC is pleased to continuously collaborate with CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand in promoting the growth of sustainable capital market through ESG initiatives, which include the development of Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products Handbook in Thai version. The handbook will not only assist investment professionals in having a guidance for disclosing ESG information for investment products that are in line with the SEC regulations but will also promote the formation of common definitions relating to ESG, in which investment professionals can use as reference, leading to a common understanding. This is also in line with the recommendations of International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) that supports investment professionals to develop common definitions regarding ESG as a mechanism to reduce greenwashing risks. This initiative is one of the plans that the SEC strives to promote on the role of investment professionals to drive Thai capital market and the economy towards sustainable growth.”
 
Mr. Chris Fidler, CFA Institute, Head, Global Industry Standards said: “CFA Institute would like to commend CFA Society Thailand and the SEC on their commitment in developing knowledge, skills, and ESG investment guidelines. CFA Institute is pleased that the technical handbook for ESG information disclosure and investment strategy by CFA Institute has been used to support investment professionals in Thailand to further enhance their expertise in disclosing ESG information. The collaboration in publishing Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products Handbook in Thai version demonstrates the commitment that will help support Thailand in becoming regional leader in ESG and sustainable investments.”

Mr. Sornchai Suneta, President of CFA Society Thailand, said: “Global investors are increasingly placing importance on ESG issues when making investments, which is in line with the global regulators’ effort in developing ESG criteria and standards to supervise listed companies such that they further consider and incorporate ESG factors into their business operations so as to ensure that investors will be able to make investments in good assets and in sustainable businesses. Therefore, in order for investment professionals to have an understanding on ESG issues and are able to apply CFA Institute’s standard more effectively as well as are able to respond to investors’ demands while considering ESG issues, CFA Society Thailand collaborates with the SEC in developing the aforementioned handbook that explains the standard in Thai language in detail, including examples of how to apply such standard. The handbook has been jointly developed since 2022. In this regard, CFA Society Thailand would also like to express our deepest appreciation to the SEC on this collaboration. We hope that as investment professionals apply this standard, it will help them on their capabilities to lay out investment strategies under ESG standards, including on ESG disclosures for investment products that are in line with international standards. This will also be an important part in helping Thai investors to participate more on responsible investments towards society, environment, and governance.”

 
Interested entities can access and learn about the international standards in ESG disclosure for investment products (Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products) in Thai version via link: https://www.cfasociety.org/thailand/society-news-resources/global-esg and https://www.sec.or.th/TH/Pages/LawandRegulations/HandbooksGuidelines.aspx
as well as can download the handbook via link: https://www.sec.or.th/TH/Documents/Guide/guide-CFA-ESG.pdf  

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Remark:
* CFA Institute, which is a global institute that helps develop investment professionals, published international standards in disclosing the aforesaid information (English version) on November 1, 2021 and a handbook for such international standards in disclosing ESG information for investment products (English version) on June 1, 2023, which sets out common definitions relating to ESG as well as guidelines on disclosing ESG information for investment products that investment professionals should disclose to investors on a voluntarily basis. This should also be in line with regulations on the offering and sale of investment products stipulated by capital market regulators in each jurisdiction or country as well.