At a crucial moment for sustainable finance, when markets and public authorities are being called upon to move from commitments to action, the Sustainable Finance Summit announces the participation of four leading figures who will help further the discussion on the practical deployment of capital to support the climate transition, shared prosperity for communities, and biodiversity preservation.
From June 2 to 5, 2026, in Montreal, the Summit will bring together leaders from the financial, institutional, and public sectors to advance a shared objective: better understanding and activating the economic, regulatory, and financial levers that can accelerate systemic transformation.
Key expertise at the intersection of finance, regulation, and transition
Among the newly confirmed speakers:
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John E. Morton, Executive Managing Director – Nature, Finance and Investment at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). During his time in the U.S. government under the Obama administration, he served as Climate Counsellor at the U.S. Treasury Department, Senior Director for Energy and Climate at the White House National Security Council, and Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of OPIC (now the U.S. Development Finance Corporation).
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Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, will provide insight into the market mechanisms and financial instruments required to mobilize capital at scale. He advises governments and institutions on market development, sustainable finance taxonomies, and capital mobilization policies. He is also a Professor in Practice at SOAS University of London and a member of several international sustainable finance bodies.
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Wendy Berman, Chair of the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB). With more than thirty years of leadership experience in securities regulation, sustainable finance, litigation, and corporate governance, her appointment as Chair of the CSSB marks a shift from standard-setting to market adoption, strengthening Canada’s position in global sustainability disclosure.
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Sarah Thompson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sustainable Finance at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). She represents RBC Capital Markets on the Investor Advisory Group of the International Sustainability Standards Board. She previously served on the technical expert group for the Canadian Sustainable Finance Action Council’s taxonomy and currently sits on the Financial Services Advisory Group.
These voices will enrich an international program designed to move beyond traditional ESG approaches and to openly and rigorously examine the real conditions required to translate commitments into action.
A strategic forum for financial institutions and public decision-makers
In a context shaped by the intensification of climate, social, and economic crises, the Sustainable Finance Summit establishes itself as a unique forum for discussion in North America.
It offers financial institutions, investors, regulators, public policymakers, and civil society a neutral and trustworthy forum to exchange perspectives beyond their usual markets and reference frameworks.
The 2026 edition fully embraces an execution phase, addressing key structural questions, including:
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How can clear signals be communicated to markets?
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How can regulatory frameworks, economic incentives, and capital allocation be better aligned?
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Who decides when risks become systemic?
These essential questions will be examined through advanced discussions focused on practical, operational solutions.
Affirming the leadership of Québec and Canada
Based in Montreal—recognized as a leading financial hub for sustainable finance—the Summit helps position Québec and Canada at the core of key international discussions on the future of financial systems.
By bringing together leading public and private sector leaders, the Sustainable Finance Summit fosters a strategic dialogue essential to strengthening the competitiveness and credibility of Canada’s financial ecosystem on the global stage.
Registration is now open for those who want to participate in these crucial discussions and actively help shape the next phase of sustainable finance.
To register: www.sustainablefinance-summit.com/en
For partnership and media inquiries: communications@finance-montreal.com
About the Sustainable Finance Summit
The Sustainable Finance Summit, powered by Finance Montréal, has established itself as North America’s leading platform where financial institutions, public decision-makers, businesses, and civil society come together to combine their expertise and accelerate the role of finance in transforming economic systems in response to environmental and social challenges.
A true international forum for strategic dialogue, the Summit fosters alignment on priorities, mobilization of capital, and the emergence of concrete solutions to support the climate and social transition.
The 2025 edition brought together more than 1,000 international participants in Montréal, featured 75 speakers, and generated over 300 bilateral meetings.
To learn more, visit: https://www.sommet-financedurable.com/en/
