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IIX’s WLB2 is one of 12 investments in the Zero Gap Fund, an impact investing collaboration between the Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Singapore | January 8, 2024 — Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)’s Women’s Livelihood Bond™ 2 (WLB2), a multi-country, multi-sector Asia Pacific orange bond, has reached full maturity. This milestone marks the completion of a US$12 million issuance with a four-year term and a 4% coupon, qualifying as both an Orange Bond and an ICMA Social Bond. In line with the United Nations’ 12 Sustainable Development Goals, WLB2 will significantly improve sustainable livelihoods for more than 250,000 underserved women and girls across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. We have supported you.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, WLB2 has shown remarkable resilience, ensuring timely fulfillment of all coupon and principal payments and maintaining its transparency and It has proven its influence.
“The maturation of IIX’s WLB2 is a testament to the power of gender-lens investing to generate positive social and environmental impact,” he said. Professor Dureen Shahnaz, Founder and CEO of IIX. “We are proud to have pioneered this journey and grown the WLB™ series from strength to strength, and look forward to continuing to create a positive social and environmental impact through innovative financial solutions. looking forward to it.”
WLB2 boasts a strong coalition of partners, including the Zero Gap Fund (ZGF), an impact investing collaboration between the Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ( ESCAP) , United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Standard Chartered Bank, Latham & Watkins, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, UN Women. These partners are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), DBS Bank, ANZ, Shearman & Sterling and Hogan Lovells.
“On behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation, a founding partner of the Zero Gap Fund, we are proud of the deep impact that IIX’s Women’s Livelihoods Bond™ 2 (WLB2) has created by supporting women-owned businesses in Southeast Asia.” said. Maria Kozlowski, Senior Vice President of Innovative Finance, Rockefeller Foundation. “This initiative underscores the Foundation’s dedication to leveraging innovative financial products to drive positive social change.”
She has received prestigious awards such as the United Nations Climate Action Award, the P4G Cutting Edge Partnership Award, the Financial Times Legal Award, the Tokyo Financial Award, and the UN Women Asia-Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principal Award (WEPs) Award. The WLB™ Series has established itself as a frontrunner for impactful financial initiatives.
“The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is proud of the maturation of Women’s Livelihood Bond 2 and is pleased to be a long-time supporter of the Women’s Livelihood Bond™ (WLB) series.” Agnes Dasewitz, DFC Chief Operating Officer; “The WLB Series is an important initiative to fill funding gaps and foster global economic growth, especially for women and girls in emerging markets. ”
In parallel with the maturation of WLB2, IIX proudly announced the recent launch of Women’s Livelihood Bond™ 6 (WLB6), known as the largest orange bond to date. This announcement highlights her IIX’s unwavering commitment to expanding the Orange Movement™ with a focus on impactful deals.
“The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is proud of our continued commitment since Women’s Livelihood Bond™ 1 (WLB1).” Linda McElroy, Deputy Mission Director, USAID Asia Regional Development Mission. “The successful maturation of WLB2 is a testament to the strength of collaboration to promote sustainable development. We remain unwavering in our commitment to supporting initiatives that empower women and improve communities. ”
Looking back at the success of WLB2, it is clear that we expect continued growth and impact with the launch of WLB6. The maturation of WLB2 marks a major milestone in gender-focused impact investing, setting the stage for a future where finance is an unwavering force for positive change and uplifts women, girls and sexual minorities around the world.
“WLB2 is a testament to the success of the WLB series in shaping the gender-responsive impact investing narrative. The series will be renewed in December 2023 with the pricing of the latest Women’s Livelihood Bond6. We continue to break new ground.” Sarah Ng, Director, ANZ Debt Capital Markets. “ANZ is proud to be part of this innovative transaction that will help advance the Orange Movement’s mission. We are committed to supporting meaningful change and driving the economic empowerment of women across South East Asia. I am doing my best to.”
WLB2 is the second investment from ZGF to reach full maturity. His first Blue Forest occurred in 2023 and helped fund restoration efforts on his 15,000-acre planned area in the Tahoe National Forest to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. As of 2022, ZGF has mobilized more than $795 million in private capital towards a diversified portfolio of high-impact investment strategies.
About the Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the forefront of science, technology and innovation that enable individuals, families and communities to thrive. We are making big bets to promote human well-being. We are now focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming our food, health, energy and financial systems. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us at X. @Rockefeller.
media contact
Wyatt Goodwin
rockefeller foundation
media@rockfound.org
This press release was first published on wlb.iixglobal.com on January 16, 2024 and is reposted with permission.
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