Green finance discussed as key to a sustainable future

An event titled “The Role of Green Finance in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals” was organized by the Management Information Systems Department of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Economist Oleksandra Tverezovska, who attended the event as a guest speaker, comprehensively discussed sustainable development goals, green financing models, and the impact of environmental investments on the global future. Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral also gave a presentation at the event.

Dr. Economist Oleksandra Tverezovska, speaking at the event held in the Socrates hall of the South Campus E-block, emphasized that sustainable development is a holistic process that should be evaluated not only with its environmental but also its economic and social dimensions. 
Tverezovska stated that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations form a complementary structure, and expressed that topics such as poverty reduction, quality education, access to clean energy, and combating climate change are progressing towards a common goal.

Example Countries Stand Out in Sustainability

In her speech, Tverezovska also touched upon the sustainability performance of countries, stating that countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, in particular, stand out thanks to their strong institutional structures, social policies, and green investments. She noted that these countries achieve sustainable development goals faster with long-term planning and social awareness.

Infrastructure Investments Are Shaping the Cities of the Future

Tverezovska stated that infrastructure projects play a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals, and said that renewable energy, water management, sustainable transportation, waste management, and green building applications are shaping the cities of the future. She emphasized that these investments should be evaluated not only in terms of their economic but also their environmental and social impacts.

The Finance Sector Is at the Center of the Transformation…

Tverezovska also touched upon green financing tools, stating that public budgets, private sector investments, international financial institutions, and public-private partnerships play an important role in financing sustainable projects. Tverezovska noted that green bonds, ESG investments, and climate funds are becoming increasingly widespread, and said that the finance sector has become a decisive actor in environmental transformation.

Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral Explained Green Finance in Sustainability

Within the scope of the event, Asst. Prof. Gülcan Ayral, a faculty member of Üsküdar University's Management Information Systems Department, also gave a presentation titled 'Green Financing in Sustainability'.

In her presentation, Ayral addressed topics such as the sustainability approach, the main areas green finance focuses on, green financing sources and tools, public-private sector collaborations, access processes to financial resources, ESG performance, sustainability reporting, and governance. Emphasizing the strategic importance of financial mechanisms in the green transformation process, Ayral highlighted that sustainability performance and a transparent reporting approach are becoming increasingly decisive in institutions' access to financial resources.

The event also drew attention to problems encountered in financing processes such as technological risks, lack of information, and a short-term investment approach. The importance of transparency, strong public policies, and international cooperation was emphasized to overcome these obstacles.

At the end of the event, it was stated that sustainable development is the common responsibility of all stakeholders, from individuals to the private sector, from academia to public institutions, not only states or financial institutions.

The event concluded with a photo shoot.