OUR STRENGTH AND OUR DISTINCTIVE MODEL give us the momentum needed to meet climate and technological challenges.
The year 2023 was marked by persistent armed conflicts which produced dramatic consequences for civilians. Ukraine has shown great resilience in the face of the Russian invasion. This war directly affects the 5,000 employees of our subsidiary UKRSIBBANK. They have all demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to maintaining the Bank’s activity and meeting the essential needs of the economy in times of war. In Israel, the terrorist attacks of 7 October sparked a new war in the region, with the death toll continuing to rise. From the outset, BNP Paribas mobilised to aid the civilian population, the main victims of the conflict. These conflicts disrupt global geopolitical balances and create worldwide tension.
2023 was also marked by natural disasters on an unprecedented scale in Türkiye, Syria and Morocco. Under these circumstances, and thanks to the solidarity of our teams, our Group provided support to the associations helping the victims.In parallel to these events, the effects of climate change continue to be felt ever more strongly. 2023 was the hottest year in history.
The world is also undergoing rapid changes in technologies and their uses. These advances are generating new opportunities and raising significant societal challenges, such as data security and protection, digital sobriety and the fight against disinformation.
Our societies and economies are facing the convergence of these economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal and technological risks. In these circumstances, everyone needs to act, starting with institutions, the European Union and central banks, which are exercising their regulatory powers to manage these risks and ensure the stability of the economy. Companies - and banks in particular - have an essential role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Hence the importance of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Implemented on 1 January 2024, the directive sets out a methodological framework for assessing a company’s financial performance and impact. Companies also have a decisive role to play in adopting new technologies, which must be deployed in a highly secure environment. In this context, the protection of our clients’ data is crucial. Training our teams in the reasoned and ethical use of various technologies is also an essential prerequisite to making the most of them in a responsible manner.