SEC assumes ASEAN capital markets forum chairship, launches “RISE” agenda for 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines has officially commenced its chairship of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF), marking a pivotal moment for the region’s financial evolution. Against the backdrop of Coron, Palawan, the SEC signaled its commitment to steering Southeast Asia toward more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable capital markets.

The Philippine chairship aligns with the nation’s broader ASEAN 2026 theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” and serves as a primary driver for the ACMF Action Plan 2026–2030.

Central to the SEC’s leadership is the RISE agenda—a strategic framework designed to foster collective growth among all ASEAN capital market regulators. The initiative focuses on four pillars:

• Regional Integration: Strengthening cross-border financial ecosystems.

• Inclusivity: Ensuring capital markets are accessible to a broader range of participants.

• Sustainable Finance: Prioritizing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.

• Enforcement: Enhancing collaborative oversight and regulatory sting.

Under the leadership of Chairperson Francis Ed. Lim, the SEC aims to transition from high-level policy to practical, high-impact outputs. Key priorities include:

1. Sustainable Finance Standards: The publication of an ASEAN Code of Conduct for External Verifiers to ensure transparency in green investments.

2. Corporate Governance: Expansion of the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard for deeper regional assessment.

3. Enforcement Network: Establishing a Knowledge Network of Supervisory and Enforcement Directors to combat cross-border financial misconduct.

4. Climate Resilience: Completing the next phase of the Mitigation co-benefit and Adaptation for Resilience (mARs) Guide.

5. ASEAN Diamonds: Strategic promotion of ASEAN markets as a premiere, unified asset class for global investors. “The ACMF is invaluable in enabling us to work closely with our regional peers to deliver practical initiatives that accelerate the integration of ASEAN’s financial ecosystems while supporting the growth of our domestic market,” said SEC Philippines Chairperson Francis Ed. Lim.