Fintech PR
Coalition launched to develop new carbon market standard and platform for community-centered forest conservation that meets the needs of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Global South countries
NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As government and corporate leaders gather for New York Climate Week, founding members of the Peoples Forests Partnership have launched the Equitable Earth Coalition. In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Global South countries, the Coalition is committed to developing a new voluntary carbon market standard and platform to help end deforestation and biodiversity loss by driving finance directly to communities.
Michael Jenkins, CEO of Forest Trends, said: “As a longtime champion of trustworthy and accessible carbon markets, we are excited about a process that centers Indigenous Peoples and local communities. We believe this fills a major gap in the carbon ecosystem. Forest Trends is glad to support the Equitable Earth approach, and we look forward to seeing it deliver on its goal of rapidly scaling direct climate finance to communities on the front lines of efforts to safeguard forests.”
The goal of the Equitable Earth Coalition is to develop that solution through a new voluntary carbon market (VCM) standard and platform that is:
- Developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with an aim of delivering transformative finance directly to communities to fund their own development ambitions.
- Founded on transparency, robust science and rigorous due diligence, a standardised approach to measuring carbon, societal and biodiversity impacts, and best practices for IPLC ownership and inclusion.
- Holistic by driving investment both to stop deforestation, and to restore and steward forest ecosystems.
- Designed to nest into national forest carbon programs that contribute to global climate commitments.
The founding members of the Coalition include Forest Trends, Wildlife Works and Everland.
Beto Borges, Director of the Forest Trends Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative, will be Chair of the Equitable Earth Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Advisory Group.
“The voluntary carbon market can help address forest loss at its root, by providing essential finance to Indigenous Peoples and local communities to make conservation a viable development path. But the market has not been designed to meet the needs of the communities on the ground, who hold the key to reducing emissions from deforestation,” Beto Borges said. “A fit-for-purpose solution is needed now. Forests are being destroyed and we have run out of time.”
Also joining the Equitable Earth Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Advisory Group will be:
- Francisca Arara, Extraordinary Secretary for Indigenous Peoples in the State of Acre, Brazil, and President of the Regional Committee for Brazil of the Governors Climate and Forests Task Force
- Gustavo Sánchez Valle, President of the Mexican Network of Community Forest Organizations (Red MOCAF)
- Mary Allegretti, Anthropologist, President of the Institute of Amazonian Studies
- Júlio Barbosa de Aquino, President, National Council of Extractivist Populations (CNS)
The Coalition is growing rapidly and currently undertaking stakeholder consultations with IPLC leaders; Global South governments; project developers; carbon market participants; scientific and policy experts; and others, with further announcements planned for later this year.
For further information, visit www.eq-earth.com
Quotes from members of Equitable Earth’s IPLC Advisory Group
Francisca Arara, Extraordinary Secretary for Indigenous Peoples in the State of Acre, Brazil, and President of the Regional Committee for Brazil of the Governors Climate and Forests Task Force: “From Kyoto onwards, we hope to see a carbon standard for forest and biodiversity conservation that respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensures equitable participation and direct financing, recognizes our land and carbon rights, and free, prior, informed consent (FPIC), and which also adheres to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recognizes our traditional knowledge.”
Gustavo Sánchez Valle, President of the Mexican Network of Community Forest Organizations (Red MOCAF) which promotes community forestry and supports Indigenous and farmers organisations that own lands in Mexico: “We welcome the construction of Equitable Earth, we believe that a standard for community carbon projects and other ecosystem benefits is required that is built from the beginning with the participation of representatives of Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, local communities, tribal peoples and Afro-descendants.”
Mary Allegretti, Anthropologist, President of the Institute of Amazonian Studies: “The Equitable Earth initiative is strategic to bring security and reduce pressure on communities, fills a gap and defines necessary rules to value the contribution of communities in controlling deforestation in the Amazon.”
Júlio Barbosa de Aquino, extractivist, cousin of Chico Mendes and President of the National Council of Extractivist Populations (CNS): “This initiative will allow us to get closer to the reality of the traditional peoples and communities of the Amazon.”
Notes to editors
Media contact: Will Richard – [email protected]
About Forest Trends Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative
Forest Trends works to conserve forests and other ecosystems through the creation and wide adoption of a broad range of environmental finance, markets, and other payment and incentive mechanisms. Our Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative partners with indigenous and other forest communities on innovations to secure their rights, livelihoods, and cultures through a strategy built on advocacy, economic self-determination, and cultural integrity.
About Wildlife Works
Founded in 1997, Wildlife Works is a community-centered wildlife conservation company that implements market-based solutions to protect the planet’s threatened wilderness and endangered wildlife. The company was founded on the premise that if we want wildlife in our world, it has to work for local communities who share their environment. Wildlife Works’ conservation projects drive direct financing to forest communities to fund their own economic development while preventing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere annually.
www.wildlifeworks.com
About Everland
Everland helps people prosper from conserving their forests and wildlife, resulting in climate change mitigation for the benefit of all. We mobilize transformative investments into forest communities who are on the frontlines of stopping deforestation, halting climate change, and safeguarding biodiversity, to deliver conservation outcomes at scale. Through deep due diligence and impact reporting, we ensure that clients invest in meaningful impact, and realize the full value of their support for REDD+ projects.
everland.earth
About the Peoples Forests Partnership
Forest communities hold the solutions to protecting the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems yet only 1% of global climate finance is reaching Indigenous Peoples, traditional owners and local communities. The Peoples Forests Partnership – a partnership of Indigenous Peoples Organizations community groups, corporations and NGOs – exists to support forest communities’ call for their right to participate equitably in climate and conservation finance.
peoplesforestspartnership.org
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SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced that Wanshi Lin has been appointed as the Head of Singapore, effective immediately.
In this newly created position, Lin will oversee the company’s underwriting team in Singapore and spearhead business planning and market engagement on the company’s Lloyd’s Singapore platform. The establishment of a new leadership role in Singapore is demonstrative of Markel’s ongoing commitment to expanding its Asia Pacific operations and underwriting capabilities.
Lin will report to Christian Stobbs, Managing Director – Asia Pacific, in her new capacity.
Stobbs commented: “I’m thrilled about the energy and innovative ideas Wanshi will bring to this pivotal role. Singapore is our largest marketplace in the region for specialty products, and I’m confident that, under her leadership, we’ll further enhance our relationships with brokers and clients while building on the strong momentum achieved in recent years.”
Kevin Leung, Chief Underwriting Officer – Asia Pacific, adds: “It’s a delight to see Wanshi progress to take on this role. Her extensive experience, strategic insight and understanding of the Singapore market will be instrumental in strengthening our commitment to providing underwriting excellence to this important regional hub.”
Lin joined Markel in 2018 as an Assistant Underwriter – Marine, and since 2023 has been Senior Underwriter – Marine. Prior to Markel, Lin was Assistant Vice President at Marsh Singapore.
About Markel
We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
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Fintech PR
FinVolution’s SVP Ming Gu speaks at Asian Financial Forum, highlighting opportunities in CreditTech for Southeast Asia’s underserved
HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech service provider in the pan-Asian region, reaffirmed its commitment yesterday to advancing financial inclusion through cutting-edge credit technology and strategic partnerships at the Asian Financial Forum 2025 in Hong Kong.
Dr. Ming Gu, Senior Vice President of FinVolution Group, shared his insights on how fintech innovation is transforming access to credit for underserved populations in Southeast Asia.
“Fintech is creating new pathways for underserved populations to access credit and financial support, empowering them to invest in their futures,” he said at a thematic workshop on the future of fintech in Southeast Asia.
Driving financial inclusion through innovation
Gu emphasized FinVolution’s mission to bridge the gap between financial institutions and underserved communities by leveraging advanced credit technology.
The company has built its business around serving young workers and small business owners from grassroots backgrounds, whose financial needs are often overlooked by traditional banks and other financial institutions.
Through user-friendly digital lending platforms and collaborations with local partners, FinVolution has supported over 6 million borrowers and facilitated loans exceeding US$3 billion in its markets outside China as of Q3 2024.
FinVolution’s AI-powered tools enable financial institutions to better assess creditworthiness, particularly for those without traditional credit histories, Gu explained.
Opportunities and challenges in Southeast Asia’s market
Gu highlighted Southeast Asia’s potential as a key growth market for fintech, driven by its young population, e-commerce growth, and credit-driven consumption habits.
“Very few regions in this world can meet all these criteria,” he said, highlighting the underpinnings of Southeast Asia’s ascent as a fintech powerhouse. “Digital lending always goes hand in hand with the growth of e-commerce.”
“The number one factor driving financial inclusion and literacy is GDP per capita,” Gu said. “Fintech and other technologies serve as a tool to facilitate this process, but it is GDP per capita that remains the cornerstone of development.”
For instance, Indonesia’s ambitious Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision aims to accelerate the nation’s economic growth by at least 5% annually over the next two decades.
This initiative reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering financial inclusion and leveraging technology as a catalyst for sustainable progress.
“Indonesia is the place to watch over the next five to 10 years,” Gu added. “We are very bullish on Southeast Asia.”
Symbiotic relationship with regulators and financial partners
Despite these opportunities, challenges such as the lack of credit histories and increasing fraud risks persist, threatening the future of fintech in this region.
FinVolution combats these issues with advanced proprietary risk management systems and fraud prevention technologies.
Gu stressed the collaboration with regulators and financial institutions in creating a robust and inclusive financial ecosystem.
FinVolution itself adheres to stringent regulatory standards, securing necessary licenses and aligning with local laws. This endeavor coincides with steady improvements to Southeast Asia’s regulatory stringency in recent years, which are credited for creating an environment conducive to fintech innovation.
“I believe a symbiotic relationship between regulators and fintechs like us is crucial to Southeast Asia’s rise as a key global fintech hub,” Gu noted.
With over 100 financial institution partners, including digital banks and consumer finance companies, FinVolution provides end-to-end credit tech solutions that streamline processes and expand outreach.
FinVolution Group remains dedicated to driving financial inclusion and innovation in Southeast Asia. With a focus on technology and collaboration, the company aims to empower individuals and communities while fostering a thriving fintech ecosystem in the region.
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Fintech PR
Empowering Businesses of All Sizes: MyGuava Business Offers a New Standard in Financial Solutions
LONDON, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s fast-growing world, businesses need more than traditional banking services – they require innovative financial tools tailored to their specific needs. MyGuava Business is focused on meeting these demands, offering a ground-breaking platform that caters to businesses of all sizes.
Tailored Solutions for Every Business Size
One of the defining features of MyGuava Business is its bespoke quality. The platform is designed to support businesses of every size and industry, offering flexibility that ensures no one is left behind. Start-ups and small businesses benefit from straightforward, easy-to-use tools that promote growth without unnecessary complexity.
Transparent and Competitive Pricing
At a time when hidden fees and unclear pricing structures are all too common, MyGuava Business stands apart with its transparent and competitive rates. Businesses can plan their budgets confidently, knowing there won’t be any unexpected costs. For small businesses, this affordability is an essential requirement.
Seamless Onboarding and User Experience
The platform’s user-friendly interface makes navigation intuitive, ensuring that even those without extensive technical expertise can get started quickly. Clear dashboards, always accessible customer support and step-by-step guidance make MyGuava Business a platform that any business can adopt with ease.
Comprehensive Product Offerings: Covering Every Aspect of the Financial Sector
MyGuava Business goes beyond traditional financial management by offering a diverse range of services that cover all payment needs, whether the business transacts in person or online. From business accounts simplifying cross-border payments to payment terminals, e-commerce solutions, cards, payment links and invoice creation, the platform provides businesses with versatile tools to seamlessly manage transactions.
Built In-House with Customer Needs in Mind
What truly sets MyGuava Business apart is that it is a comprehensive end-to-end payments solution provider – a direct result of its in-house development. Unlike many platforms that rely on third-party tools, every feature of MyGuava Business is purpose-built to meet the unique needs of its users.
A Vision for the Future of Business Finance
MyGuava Business is more than just a financial platform – it’s a partner in growth. By combining affordability, adaptability, and a customer-centric design, it offers businesses the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
In a world where adaptability and efficiency are crucial, MyGuava Business is the financial partner every business deserves. Discover more at myguava.com/business.
Contact:
Nikki Suleymanova
[email protected]
07443322377
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