Overview
Building leadership capabilities within the infrastructure sector across the region
Infrastructure Asia (InfraAsia), World Bank Group (WBG) and Singapore Management University (SMU) have joined hands to develop a bespoke course that builds leadership capabilities within the infrastructure sector across the region. This collaboration leverages SMU’s expertise in facilitating sustainable transitions to address the pressing infrastructure challenges facing Asia.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Sustainable Finance for Public/Private Sector Leaders in the Infrastructure Domain
As the world accelerates its shift towards a low-carbon future, sustainable finance has emerged as a critical lever for public sector leaders shaping infrastructure development. This tailored executive programme equips ASEAN and South Asian policymakers and practitioners with practical tools to mobilize capital for climate-resilient and inclusive infrastructure.
Participants will explore green and transition finance mechanisms, blended finance, taxonomies such as the SG-Asia Taxonomy and ASEAN Taxonomy, as well as instruments like guarantees, insurance, and credit ratings. Real-world case studies—ranging from green bonds to blended financing for early coal retirement—will provide actionable insights. The programme also explores innovative approaches to carbon and transition financing.
Organized by Singapore Management University (SMU) in collaboration with Infrastructure Asia and the World Bank Group, this programme combines research-based insights with applied learning. Our goal is to empower decision-makers to drive impactful, bankable, and climate-aligned green infrastructure solutions.
By strengthening capacity across public institutions, we support a more sustainable and finance-ready future for Asia’s infrastructure ecosystem.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
The Sustainable Finance course offers policy and capability training specifically designed for leaders from emerging and developing economies across Asia. Targeting 40 executives—primarily from the public sector, along with select private sector participants involved in infrastructure financing—this programme aims to enhance their knowledge and skills in designing, evaluating, and implementing progressive sustainable finance policies, frameworks, and projects.
Participants will also strengthen their individual leadership capabilities, enabling them to navigate the politically, economically, and institutionally complex environments that shape green infrastructure financing in their countries.
Delivered as an in-person programme at the SMU campus in the dynamic city of Singapore—renowned for its role as a sustainable finance hub—this executive course facilitates high-level networking with thought leaders, government officials, financial practitioners, and leading academics. This unique gathering encourages the exchange of experiences, fosters the development of innovative financing strategies, and empowers participants to enhance their leadership, problem-solving, and execution skills in driving climate-aligned infrastructure outcomes.
PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS
Participants are required to obtain endorsement (endorsement template here) from their organisation and share more on upcoming relevant infrastructure projects that they are responsible for during registration. Please download and fill up the project template before starting the registration process. You would be asked to present these projects in detail during the course.
Kindly ensure the registration form and all supporting documents are completed in English.
- Next Course Starts On 8 Sep 2025 (Monday)See Full Schedule
- Duration8 - 12 Sep 2025 (08:30-18:00 SGT GMT+8) *Timing subject to change
- LevelAdvanced
- VenueSingapore Management University
Learning Objectives
- Build Private and Public Sector Professionals' capabilities in preparing infrastructure projects.
- Hone Private and Public Sector Professionals' thinking and analytical skills to form objective and independent views on macro-initiatives.
- Foster a common level of knowledge and understanding amongst Private and Public Sector Professionals of PPPs and improve structuring and financing support for specific infrastructure sub-sectors.
- Provide a platform for networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities through project discussions.
Topics/Structure
- Emerging regulatory and policy frameworks (e.g., Singapore-Asia and ASEAN Taxonomies)
- The role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) such as the World Bank, ADB, and AIIB in enabling sustainable finance
- Early-stage financing mechanisms: development capital, feasibility studies, and preparatory funding
- The landscape of debt financing instruments: green bonds, climate bonds, municipal bonds, and sustainability-linked loans
- Structured finance and blended mechanisms: ESG-linked guarantees, layered capital, and insurance innovations
- Exploring equity-linked instruments in sustainable finance (complementing the MOOC on sustainable equity)
- Introduction to Islamic finance within sustainability frameworks
- Blended finance in practice: mechanisms for de-risking and catalysing private investment
- Role of public finance and guarantees in unlocking infrastructure and climate investments
- Regional case examples, e.g. Indonesia’s SDG One, and other ASEAN success models
- Public-private partnerships and institutional investor participation
- Evolving carbon markets: carbon credits, renewable energy certificates (RECs), and international offsets
- Transition financing tools and pathways: TRACTION and other coalitions
- Financing decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors and emissions-intensive industries
- Integrity and accountability in transition finance: ensuring credibility
- Global and regional reporting frameworks: TCFD, ISSB, EU CSRD, ASEAN Taxonomy Reporting requirements
- Tools for impact measurement and third-party verification
- Ensuring transparency and credibility through disclosures and independent evaluations
- The evolving role of data, materiality assessments, and stakeholder engagement
Who Should Attend
Senior and mid-level decision makers and policymakers engaged in the infrastructure sector, from South and Southeast Asia. For this upcoming run, we are inviting professionals from both the private and public sector working on Sustainable Finance and/or Financing for Infrastructure Projects to apply.
The participant must be:
- Fluent in written and spoken English,
- Responsible (or would be responsible) for managing sustainable finance and/or financing for infrastructure projects,
- Have experience in managing and mitigating project risks (e.g. legal, technical, commercial, construction risks), and have a basic understanding of public–private partnership (PPP) and project finance.
Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously attended the Growing Infrastructure Course.
Selection Criteria
All registered public sector participants will go through a selection process by Infrastructure Asia before receiving confirmation to attend the course. Eligible applicants are offered sponsorship by Infrastructure Asia, please refer to the terms and conditions here for more information. Application to the course does not constitute a guaranteed admission.
Private sector participants will go through a selection process by Singapore Management University before receiving confirmation to attend the course. Application to the course does not constitute a guaranteed admission.
Fees and Funding
SGD 10,000*
(Excluding 9% GST) for overseas participants
SGD 10,000*
(Inclusive 9% GST) for Singaporean registered participants
This programme offers sponsorship to eligible applicants. Please refer to the terms and conditions here for more information.
* Fee is subject to change. GST is not applicable to foreign based companies.
** Fee is subject to change. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.
For More Information:
Email: exd@smu.edu.sg
Schedule
Start Date(s):
Intake Information :8 - 12 Sep 2025 (SGT GMT+8)
