Orange Bond Development: Indonesia Holds Strong Potential to Become a Global South Center
Orange Bond Development: Indonesia Holds Strong Potential to Become a Global South Center
Indonesia is well positioned to become a major hub for the development of Orange Bonds, according to Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) Founder & CEO Durreen Shahnaz. Orange Bonds—gender-focused financial instruments—are emerging as a new standard in sustainable finance.
Speaking at the Orange Forum 2025, Shahnaz emphasized that Indonesia’s strong foundation of cross-institutional collaboration provides the momentum needed to advance the movement toward broader implementation.
Shahnaz explained that IIX’s mission over the past 16 years has been to promote a financial system that places women at the center—an approach that also underpins the Orange Bond Initiative.
“What we started at IIX 16 years ago began with a mission that was simple yet bold: to bring finance and economic growth together, and to place women at the forefront and at the center,” she said during the Orange Forum 2025 press conference on Monday (17/11/2025).
She noted that Orange Bonds play a strategic role by directing capital toward projects and businesses that directly benefit women and vulnerable groups, while strengthening climate action at the same time.
Shahnaz added that the rapid pace of collaboration in Indonesia reflects the maturity of the ecosystem required to adopt such instruments. “Bappenas has shown strong support and commitment to ensuring that the Orange Movement becomes embedded within Indonesia’s system,” she said.
Synergy Between the Financial Sector and the Media
According to Shahnaz, collaboration among Bappenas, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), and national banks represents an important milestone in positioning Orange Bonds as a structured and credible financial product.
By placing gender equality at the core of financing structures, she added, Indonesia can unlock greater capital allocation for microenterprises, social initiatives, and women-led climate innovations.
She also expressed appreciation for the media, which she believes plays a critical role in strengthening public awareness of inclusive finance instruments, including Orange Bonds.
The synergy between the financial sector and the media, she noted, will be crucial in expanding the movement—not only in Indonesia but globally.
Indonesia as a Leading Example
Given current developments, Shahnaz is optimistic that Indonesia can become a leading example among developing countries in integrating sustainable finance, women’s empowerment, and climate action within a measurable financing framework through Orange Bonds.