Financing a Sustainable Ocean Economy: Introduction to Blue Finance

Join LexisNexis and the DIFC Academy for a focused, expert-led session on Blue Finance and Blue Bonds. This training provides a comprehensive introduction to financing solutions that support ocean-linked and coastal economies. Participants will gain a strong foundational understanding of use-of-proceeds and sustainability-linked structures, key legal and credit considerations, disclosure and verification practices, and current market dynamics. The session also explores the GCC opportunity, why blue finance is especially relevant given the region’s extensive coastlines, maritime industries, and critical water and wastewater infrastructure needs.

COURSE DETAILS

Date: 9 December 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (GST)
Modality: Virtual Training (Zoom)
Accreditation: 2 CLPD Accredited Points

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate ESG and thematic bond classifications, with a focus on blue finance instruments
• Analyse project categories, taxonomies, and their application to blue finance structures
• Evaluate legal, regulatory, and market considerations for issuers in international capital markets
• Assess blue finance issuance trends and opportunities driving the sustainable ocean economy in the GCC region
  

SPEAKER

• Joywin Mathew – Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Joywin is a debt capital markets lawyer and recognized expert on blue and climate finance, advising sovereigns, corporates, and financial institutions on complex international debt transactions. He serves on the UN Global Compact’s Ocean Investment Protocol Advisory Board and the Legal Experts Committee of the Centre for Sustainable Development (University of Cambridge and the Commonwealth Secretariat). Joywin is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Blue Bond Accelerator (BBA) under the Ocean Risk Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), driving large-scale capital flows into the sustainable blue economy.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• In-house and private practice lawyers involved in ESG, capital markets, or sustainability-linked financing
• Legal and compliance professionals at financial institutions and corporates exploring sustainable investment instruments
• Investment and policy advisors focusing on the blue economy and sustainable finance in the GCC region

CO-ORGANISERS: