2024 marked the 10-year anniversary of SSF, a milestone that brought with it a year of celebration and widespread praise. The highlight of our anniversary was undoubtedly the 10-year anniversary event, where we had the privilege of hosting esteemed speakers such as Mary Robinson, Kirsten Schuijt, Peter Wuffli, and many more. Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions about the need for a just transition to a low-carbon world, debated how to combine private and public wealth to enable change, explored the role of data in driving this change, and painted a compelling picture of sustainable finance over the next decade. As a special feature, we further published in our newsletter a series of interviews with 10 SSF companions, who provided invaluable insights into the remarkable developments in sustainable finance over the past ten years. These conversations also highlighted the key challenges that lie ahead, reminding us of the ongoing ­ journey we must undertake.

However, the past year was not just about celebrations. It was also a year of significant shifts. Sustainability and ESG topics are increasingly facing headwinds, with the regulatory complexity increasing and organizations often viewing these topics solely as a burden rather than also as an opportunity. At SSF, we see it as our mandate to help our members navigate through these complex times. Our goal is to provide guidance, prepare compelling arguments for sustainable finance, and help educate organisations on the importance and benefits of sustainability.

Looking forward, it is crucial to focus on the impact of our actions. To this end, we established the Swiss Platform for Impact Investing (SPII) in the past year. With its own Executive Board and various SPII Leaders, the platform leverages the expertise and network of a diverse group of impact experts. The objective is to promote impact investing in Switzerland, channeling more funds into investments that contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals – an ever more critical objective in times of multiple crises.

On a more personal note, we had to bid farewell to two long-standing members of our team: Alberto Stival, Ticino Representative and Director of Education, and Kelly Hess, Director of Projects. We extend our heartfelt thanks to both of them for their unwavering support since SSF’s inception and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. At the same time, SSF is delighted to build on a dynamic development and welcome both new team and Board members, supporting the organisation in strengthening our voice in the Swiss financial center around all aspects of sustainable finance.