The SEC is preparing to issue an announcement supporting the disclosure of information by “Mutual funds for sustainability” according to ASEAN standards

On February 14, 2566, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC) of Thailand opened a public consultation on the principles and draft regulations to support the disclosure of information for Sustainable and Responsible Investing Funds (SRI Funds) according to the ASEAN Sustainable and Responsible Fund Standards. This reflects Thailand's commitment to promoting sustainable investment in the ASEAN region, in line with the ASEAN Capital Market Connectivity Action Plan 2564-2568.

The SEC has continuously placed importance on upgrading the ecosystem that facilitates sustainable capital market development. Thailand has issued SRI Fund information disclosure guidelines on April 1, 2565 to encourage asset management companies (asset management companies) to consider environmental, social, and good governance (ESG) factors in Mutual fund management To drive securities issuers to consider ESG issues as one of the key mechanisms in driving sustainability into the country's economic and social systems. According to the 20-year national strategic plan and according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

In addition, the SEC has important international missions to promote sustainable capital market development. It has joined with the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) to issue central ASEAN standards on information disclosure of mutual funds that focus on sustainable investment (ASEAN Sustainable and Responsible Fund Standards: SRFS) for the country. ASEAN members have basic requirements for disclosure of information related to sustainability of mutual funds that are consistent and standardized and reduce the problem of green laundering. (greenwashing) which will help sustainable mutual funds in the ASEAN capital market be accepted internationally. Compliance with ASEAN SRFS is voluntary for asset management companies, requiring asset management companies to still comply. According to the criteria related to mutual funds for sustainability in the country in which the mutual fund is established.

The SEC is therefore open to hearing opinions on the relevant principles and draft announcements. By setting standards for disclosing information for SRI Funds according to ASEAN SRFS and specifying that mutual funds that wish to disclose information according to ASEAN SRFS must also be SRI Funds, which will allow the asset management company to disclose information related to the sustainability of the fund. Including as required by ASEAN SRFS, as well as preparing reports on mutual funds according to the domestic criteria set by the SEC in order to be at the same standard as SRI Funds in other countries.

The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand) has published a consultation document on the principles and draft regulations supporting the disclosure of information for Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Funds (SRI Funds) according to the ASEAN common standard on the SEC website: https://www.sec.or.th/TH/Pages/PB_Detail.aspx?SECID=875. Stakeholders and interested parties can submit their comments on the website or via email to [email protected] until March 16, 2566.

Note:

• More information about ACMF can be found at the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum website (theacmf.org).

• ASEAN SRFS is one of the action plans for connecting ASEAN capital markets between 2564 - 2568. Those interested can study information at ASEAN Sustainable and Responsible Fund Standards.pdf (theacmf.org) and ACMF Action Plan 2021-2025.pdf (theacmf .org)