Luanda: The Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury Otoniel dos Santos stated on Wednesday in Luanda that Angola's sustainable development depends on financial innovation, strengthening the capital market, and mobilizing resources to finance projects with a direct impact on people's lives. According to Angola Press News Agency, during the opening of the seminar on the Sustainable Bond Market, the minister emphasized that the future of sustainable finance in Angola relies on the collective capacity to innovate, create solid partnerships, and utilize the capital market for developmental purposes. He noted that Angola is aligning with international best practices in sustainable finance, seeking solutions adaptable to national realities and priorities through partnerships with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Otoniel dos Santos highlighted that Angola issued sustainable bonds for the first time in May this year, called "Green and Social Bonds," amounting to 64 million US dollars. These resourc es are intended for structural projects, including water security enhancement, sustainable agriculture promotion, local economic and social development, and environmental preservation. The Secretary of State urged seminar participants to leverage the training to share knowledge, identify challenges, and propose objective solutions. Denise António, the resident representative of the UNDP in Angola, remarked that development financing now hinges on attracting private capital as a pivotal element in transforming financial markets into engines of change. Denise António further stated that instruments like green, blue, social, and sustainable bonds transcend mere financial products, acting as conduits channeling trust and investment into pivotal areas such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, biodiversity protection, and resilient infrastructure. She underscored the significance of this approach for Angola in diversifying beyond oil, building resilience, and safeguarding natural resources through new investment avenues. The seminar on the sustainable bond market is jointly organized by the Angolan Debt and Securities Exchange (BODIVA) and the UNDP, marking a crucial step forward in Angola's journey toward sustainable finance and meeting its climate commitments for future generations.
