Overview

Introduction

2021-01-15 17:09:00

Asian Financial Cooperation Association (hereinafter referred to as “AFCA”) shall be a regional non-government and non-profit international organization registered with China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, mainly composed of financial institutions, associations of the financial industry, government related agencies, and relevant professional service agencies as well as individuals in financial field from Asian countries and regions on a voluntary basis.

Initiation and Establishment
President Xi Jinping first proposed to explore the possibility of establishing a communication and cooperation platform for Asian financial institutions at Boao Forum for Asia 2015. Premier Li Keqiang has then, on various occasions including Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, Boao Forum for Asia and ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the ROK) Leaders’ Meeting, expressed that China actively supports the establishment of AFCA.
This initiative has obtained wide attention and active response from the international financial community. On March 25, 2016, 38 financial institutions in 12 countries and regions from Asia, Europe and America attended AFCA Originating Institutions’ Meeting in Hainan and signed Letter of Intent for Originating the Asian Financial Cooperation Association. On May 11, 2017, the Working Meeting on the Establishment of Asian Financial Cooperation Association was held in Beijing, during which 13 proposals were reviewed and passed, including Articles of Asian Financial Cooperation Association, Recommendations and List for First Term of Directors, Supervisors and Senior Executives of Asian Financial Cooperation Association. The successful conclusion of the working meeting indicated that the preparatory work of AFCA had been largely completed. The establishment of AFCA was listed into the achievements of Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

AFCA’s Philosophy
AFCA’s philosophy is “Connectivity, Cooperation, Joint Governance and Shared Benefits”. AFCA is devoted to building an exchange and cooperation platform for Asian financial institutions, strengthening exchanges among regional financial institutions and financial resources integration, jointly safeguarding regional financial stability, and supporting the development of real economy in the region. Meanwhile, AFCA is aimed at facilitating joint governance with shared benefits for all members through sound governance structure and institutional arrangement.

Work Scope

  • To establish a liaison mechanism, promote communications among members, strengthen industry bonding, thus building a regional financier circle.
  • To push members to move beyond “Information Island”, explore information intersections, integrate information and data, thus creating a regional financial information-sharing platform.
  • To host high-level regional financial forums, issue regional financial development reports, create regional financial think tanks, thus building a regional financial idea-exchange platform.
  • To facilitate cross-border financial infrastructure and business development, serve as an effective and unique link, thus building a regional financial cooperation platform.
  • To summarize and promote best practices in regional financial inclusion, green finance and consumer protection, thus building a regional leading Corporate Social Responsibility platform for the financial industry.
  • To organize or represent members to communicate and exchange with regional and global inter-governmental and non-governmental financial cooperation organizations, voice out the interest of the region, contribute regional wisdom and solutions, thus building an engagement platform for international financial governance.

Governance Structure
In terms of organizational structure, AFCA is composed of the General Meeting, the Board of Directors, the Executive Board, the Board of Supervisors, and the Secretariat. The second term of Board of Directors consists of 56 members, the second term of Executive Board has 21 members, and the second term of Board of Supervisors has 9 members.

Members Composition
With its foothold in Asia, AFCA follows the philosophy of openness and inclusiveness. AFCA’s members are primarily financial institutions, associations of the financial industry, government related agencies, relevant professional service agencies and influential executives, senior specialists and scholars in Asian countries and regions. Meanwhile, similar financial institutions and experts beyond Asia are also welcomed to join AFCA. Up to now, AFCA members cover banks, securities companies, insurance companies, fund management companies, asset management companies, futures, international financial centers, industry associations, fintech and financial services companies.Institutions and experts in Asia and beyond with influence as well as willingness to comply with AFCA’s Articles are welcomed to join AFCA.