THE ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) has charted a new course for the region’s capital markets with the launch of its five-year Action Plan 2026–2030 (AP 2026) at the ACMF International Conference 2025, hosted by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
The announcement follows the 43rd ACMF Chairs’ Meeting held yesterday, where capital market regulators from across ASEAN endorsed the plan ahead of its public launch.
AP 2026 builds on the achievements of the 2021–2025 plan and sets out 11 key priorities and 24 initiatives across five strategic thrusts: building a sustainable ACMF, promoting resilience and sustainability in ASEAN, advancing financial inclusivity, strengthening regional integration and global positioning, and driving digitalisation.
ACMF Chair for 2025 Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said: “The next five years will be pivotal for ASEAN’s capital markets.
“Through AP 2026, we are building the foundations for a more connected, credible and competitive region — one that not only attracts global capital but channels it toward inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth.
“The collaboration and commitment we’ve seen among ASEAN regulators reaffirm our shared vision of making our markets stronger together.”
The conference, officiated by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan brought together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss cross-border fundraising, climate transition finance, voluntary carbon markets, and the use of AI in regulatory supervision, reflecting ASEAN’s growing leadership in sustainable finance and digital transformation.
Several key publications were also launched, including Version 2 of the ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs, a White Paper on mitigation co-benefit and Adaptation for Resilience developed with UNEP FI and the Sustainable Finance Institute Asia, and the ASEAN Voluntary Carbon Market Development Plan and Guidance with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia. Version 4 of the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, providing complete technical screening criteria for the Plus Standard, was also unveiled.
During the 43rd ACMF Chairs’ Meeting, participants discussed ongoing engagement with the Asia Green Transformation Consortium, dialogue with the International Sustainability Standards Board on IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, developments in digital asset oversight, and enhancements to the ASEAN Collective Investment Scheme framework.
Reports from the ASEAN Secretariat and the Asian Development Bank were also presented.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ACMF and ERIA to strengthen cooperation on research, policy development, and capacity building in support of the five strategic thrusts of AP 2026.
The conference concluded with the handover of the ACMF Chairmanship from the Securities Commission Malaysia to the Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines.
The ACMF is a high-level forum comprising capital market regulators from all 11 ASEAN jurisdictions: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. - November 6, 2025
