Council of Banks’ Associations of Turkic States (CBATS)
Using the historical and cultural heritage of the Turkic world, recognizing the growing importance of cooperation processes among Turkic states, and confirming that such cooperation contributes to economic development and social prosperity, as well as to further close and coordinated interaction of the banking associations of TURKIC STATES and enhancing broad cooperation between countries, the Council of Banks’ Associations of Turkic States was established. Within the framework of this partnership, the Council focuses on cooperation in areas such as digital banking development, climate and environmental risk management, payment ecosystem development, and other key topics.
On November 4, 2022, in Istanbul, the signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement of the Council of Banks’ Associations of Turkic States took place. The banking associations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, members of the Organization of Turkic States, as well as the Association of Participating Banks of Turkey, participated. The ceremony included: the Kyrgyz Republic – Mr. Anvar Abdraev, Azerbaijan – Mr. Zakir Nuriyev, Kazakhstan – Mr. Marat Baitokov, Uzbekistan – Mr. Tahir Babamuradov, and Turkiye – Mr. Alpaslan Çakar (Chairman of the Board of the Association of Banks of Turkey) and Mr. Osman Çelik (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkiye Participating Bank).
CBATS regularly holds meetings to discuss current banking sector issues, financial technologies, fraud prevention measures, and other key topics.
International Banking Council (IBC)
The International Banking Council (IBC) was established on September 3, 2004, in Sochi by the Association of Belarusian Banks, the Association of Banks of Kazakhstan, the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan, the Association of Regional Banks of Russia, and the Banking Association of Central and Eastern Europe. Its purpose is to coordinate the efforts of banking associations for more effective use of banking opportunities in interstate economic cooperation. The Council’s creation was approved along with its founding regulations.
The IBC is a voluntary public organization without legal entity status. Its purpose is to promote trade-economic, industrial, scientific-technical, and investment cooperation among members through effective use of payment, settlement, and currency-credit instruments, as well as participation in coordinated national monetary and financial policies.
Membership in the IBC does not require any mandatory financial contributions. Banking associations from any country interested in cooperation may join. Meetings are usually held at least once a year in turn in one of the member countries.
The IBC focuses on:
Creating conditions for high-quality banking support for the movement of goods, services, and capital in member countries’ economic space;
Developing interbank service infrastructure using modern IT and international standards, including establishing direct correspondent relations and mutual limits for a wide range of operations among member banks;
Increasing the share of financial settlements in mutual trade, including in national currencies of CIS countries, ensuring their mutual convertibility using the financial structures in these countries;
Implementing financial instruments in credit-settlement relations that are recognized in global practice;
Analyzing banking legislation and proposing improvements and harmonization for banking integration;
Improving mechanisms to prevent the use of banks for money laundering;
Exchanging current financial-economic and banking information and regulatory acts;
Organizing mutual professional experience exchange, including staff training.
Since its foundation, the IBC has included banking associations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Montenegro, the FBS CIS, and the FBA EAC. Currently, 17 organizations are members of the IBC.
Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN)
Kyrgyzstan, through the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan, joined SBFN in March 2018.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is a unique community of financial sector regulators and banking associations from developing countries committed to promoting sustainable finance according to international practice. The network facilitates collective learning, supports members in policy development, and helps implement initiatives that drive sustainable finance in their home countries.
The idea for SBFN arose during the First International Green Credit Forum organized by IFC and the China Banking Regulatory Commission in May 2012 in Beijing, when banking regulators and associations from 10 countries requested IFC’s support in creating a global knowledge network for sustainable banking. The network officially launched in September 2012.
SBFN members are committed to:
Improving the management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, including climate-related risks, in the financial sector;
Increasing capital flows into activities with positive environmental and social impact, including climate mitigation and adaptation;
Mobilizing practical support for developing and implementing national initiatives.
SBFN provides a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building for financial sector regulators and industry associations in emerging markets.
Members: 74 countries, 103 institutions
Total banking assets represented: USD 79.5 trillion in emerging markets
With IFC as secretariat support and backing from the World Bank Group, SBFN mobilizes information, resources, and practical assistance to help members develop and implement initiatives promoting sustainable finance at national, regional, and global levels.