APAFS celebrates 20 years of fiduciary excellence in Manila

Ocean Foundation president Mark J. Spalding presents his “Keep the Future Ocean-Climate Nexus in Mind for Policymaking and Blue Economy Investing.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—From Nov. 14 to 18, the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies celebrated 22 years of bringing corporate governance and institutional investment education to the Asia Pacific region.  

To celebrate this institutional milestone, APAFS hosted its first in person meeting at the New World Hotel, Makati City, Philippines by beginning the week with 3 full days of leadership and investment governance courses after a two-year pandemic forced hiatus. On Thursday, the highly anticipated Annual Investment Conference began.

The Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference attended by over 250 passionate delegates. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“Twenty-two years ago, APAFS created an organization that would be a resource for trustees and other institutional investors throughout the region. Since then, our commitment has remained clear: we want to close the knowledge gap between regional trustees and global investment professionals. With this in mind, APAFS has also partnered with like-minded institutions such as the CFA Society, United Nations Principles of Investing (PRI), fi360 Pacific, 3ethos, and many others to fulfill our mission. To this day, we remain steadfast carrying the same passion to equip and educate others fiduciary at a time,” said Gerry Cruz, AIFA chief operating officer of the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies. 

Packed with over 250 fund managers, policymakers, portfolio specialists, and financial educators, the PRI Conference has been well-received by its attendees. Various field experts led a series of sessions that provided a greater knowledge on how investors can attain their financial goals while building a sustainable world. With topics about ESG Investing, global market reviews, alternative strategies and investment solutions, retirement plans, and navigating through the risks in a post-pandemic bond market, the event in itself has become a melting pot of knowledge and dialogues on current industry situations and challenges of the ones involved. 

According to executive Director Dan Roland, “our success and longevity is a reflection of our regional trustees’ passion for their jurisdiction. From the early days of our association, trustees have come and gone, but the resolve to do the right thing has never wavered, and because of that, APAFS’s commitment has never wavered.” 

Prior to the 20th Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference, APAFS has hosted a series of trainings for fiduciaries and trustees such as the Fiduciary Essentials Training; the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Training—both by 360 Pacific; and the newest offering for this year, the Global Fiduciary Strategist Training led by 3Ethos.

For more information about APAFS, visit their website at www.apafs.org. (PR)