John Kerry, Emmanuel Faber, Marlene Puffer and Catherine McKenna among more than 100 speakers expected June 2–5 at New City Gas

Montréal, May 19, 2026 – At a time when regulatory fragmentation, geopolitical tensions and mounting pressure on capital allocation are reshaping markets, Finance Montréal today unveiled the program for the 6th edition of the Sustainable Finance Summit. From June 2 to 5 at New City Gas, the Summit will bring together more than 1,000 participants and over 100 speakers — including former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry — for one of North America's leading gatherings on sustainable finance. Several announcements are also expected alongside the Summit.

After a decade focused on developing ESG frameworks and advancing commitments, sustainable finance is entering a more decisive phase, one centred on execution. The 2026 edition is structured around a question now at the core of market dynamics: where, how and under what conditions should capital be allocated to support the transition?

 

From commitment to execution: three core themes

The 2026 program focuses on three interconnected themes:

• identifying the factors still slowing the transformation of the financial system;
• rethinking market structures and capital allocation mechanisms;
• assessing and deploying capital amid economic, political and geopolitical constraints.

 

A High-Level Segment focused on trade-offs

The Summit will conclude with a High-Level Segment convening policymakers, leaders of financial institutions, institutional investors and internationally recognized leaders. This session will open direct dialogue on the trade-offs shaping sustainable finance today, including investment prioritization, public-private risk sharing, the role of financial markets in addressing systemic risks and the conditions required to accelerate capital deployment at scale.

Confirmed speakers include John Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State & Executive Co-Chair, Galvanize; Emmanuel Faber, Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board; and Marlene Puffer, Chair of the Canadian Taxonomy and Transition Planning Council. Their contributions will help clarify evolving approaches to capital allocation and the implementation of international sustainability frameworks.

 

Broadening the conversation across Montréal's ecosystem

Beginning June 1, Montréal Sustainable Finance Week will feature a series of ecosystem-led events held alongside the Summit. Sessions will explore topics including artificial intelligence applied to finance, impact investing, biodiversity, public policy and the financing of climate and transition solutions. The momentum will continue the following week with the 2026 Climate Solutions Prize Festival (June 8–9), extending the dialogue around financing, innovation and the deployment of climate solutions.

View the full Sustainable Finance Summit program: www.sustainablefinance-summit.com 

 

CITATIONS

"Sustainable finance is reaching a stage where concrete choices and trade-offs can no longer be avoided. The Summit's role is to provide a neutral, credible space for these discussions among actors facing real-world constraints. The 2026 program reflects this ambition, bringing together Canadian, North American and international perspectives," said Jacques Deforges, Chief Executive Officer of Finance Montréal.

"Montréal is internationally recognized for its ability to bring together expertise, institutions and leadership around the defining issues of our time. The Sustainable Finance Summit contributes directly to this positioning by reinforcing our city's role as a strategic meeting place for dialogue on the future of the economy and the transition. This year's edition once again highlights Montréal's growing presence in global conversations on sustainable finance and economic innovation," said Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal.

 

About the Sustainable Finance Summit

Organized by Finance Montréal, the Sustainable Finance Summit has established itself as the leading North American platform where financial institutions, public decision-makers, businesses and civil society bring together their expertise to advance the role of finance in transforming economic systems in response to today's ecological and social challenges. As an international forum for strategic dialogue, the Summit supports priority alignment, capital mobilization and the emergence of concrete solutions to accelerate the climate and social transition.

Learn more: www.sustainablefinance-summit.com

 

 

About Finance Montréal

Founded in 2010, Finance Montréal — Québec's financial cluster — plays a central role in developing and promoting the province's financial services industry, while strengthening its international positioning as a competitive, innovative and attractive business hub of global calibre. Finance Montréal is also active in fintech and innovation, sustainable finance and talent development.

Learn more: www.finance-montreal.com

Media inquiries (media only)
Gabriel Marquis
COPTICOM, Strategies and Public Relations
(581) 307-8613
gmarquis@copticom.ca

Program information
Myriam Balian
Senior Director, Communications and Strategic Partnerships
Finance Montréal
myriam.balian@finance-montreal.com