The 24th ASEAN Federation of Accountants Conference (AFA 24) will officially take place from October 30–31, 2025, in Hanoi, hosted by Vietnam as the Chair of the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA) for the 2024–2025 term, under the leadership of the Vietnam Association of Accountants and Auditors (VAA). Agribank is honored to accompany the event as a Gold Sponsor, demonstrating its pioneering role in joining the Government and business community in advancing green finance, sustainable development, and international integration.

AFA 24 is a large-scale and prestigious regional forum, expected to attract more than 1,500 domestic and international delegates, including speakers from professional organizations, international accounting and auditing associations, and major financial institutions. This year’s conference, themed “Green Finance and Accounting – Shaping a Sustainable Future,” will feature in-depth discussions on accounting and sustainability reporting (ESG), green finance models and practices, training and technology, and the future of sustainable development.

Agribank’s sponsorship of AFA 24 is a meaningful initiative in its journey to realize its sustainable development strategy, reaffirming its position as a key state-owned commercial bank leading in ESG governance, and in building a transparent, safe, and modern financial environment. As a bank “for the community,” Agribank not only pioneers in promoting green credit in the agricultural and rural sectors but also accelerates digital transformation while integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations and long-term strategic orientation.

In recent years, Agribank has implemented numerous large-scale green credit programs, such as financing clean agriculture, renewable energy, sustainable forestry, and green transportation. As of Q2 2025, Agribank’s total outstanding green credit reached nearly VND 29 trillion, reflecting tangible progress in “greening” its banking operations. Agribank is also among the first banks in Vietnam to develop an internal ESG criteria framework, integrating it into credit appraisal and risk management processes. These efforts have earned Agribank recognition in the Top 100 Green ESG Enterprises of Vietnam 2025 and the title “Outstanding Bank in Green Credit” at the Vietnam Retail Banking Forum.

In parallel with strengthening internal capacity, Agribank has been enhancing cooperation with leading international organizations such as the World Bank (WB), the French Development Agency (AFD), JICA, and LuxDev to mobilize green finance resources and exchange ESG implementation experience on a global scale. Several co-financed projects on sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, rural credit, and green product development are being effectively implemented. Agribank is also one of the few Vietnamese commercial banks highly rated by the World Bank for its fast, transparent, and efficient disbursement of international funds.

At the same time, Agribank places strong emphasis on capacity building, offering specialized training on ESG, risk management, sustainability reporting, and green credit appraisal. Hundreds of Agribank managers have participated in training programs led by experts from PwC, VIET ESG, and other international organizations, thereby strengthening internal capacity to implement ESG comprehensively across the system. Agribank has also expanded technical cooperation with partners such as Shinhan Bank and SWIFT in digital transformation and green banking, adopting modern ESG governance models and sustainable technology solutions.

Accompanying AFA 24 represents a practical action that clearly demonstrates Agribank’s commitment to joining the Government, regulatory bodies, and the business community in building a sustainable, transparent, and modern financial system toward a greener future. With a solid financial foundation, extensive nationwide network, and a community-centered development orientation, Agribank continues to fulfill its pillar role in Vietnam’s banking system, contributing to the sustainable growth of the nation and the region.

Kylie Nguyen