THE Namibia Stock Exchange, together with the stock exchanges of Botswana and Tanzania, announced their partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges' (SSE) initiative on Wednesday at the SSE Executive Dialogue on Green Finance in Nairobi, Kenya.
In a press statement, the SSE said the CEOs of all three exchanges participated in the dialogue, which looked at the role stock exchanges can play in financing the transition to a green economy.
“The Sustainable Stock Exchanges' initiative was built on the observation that stock exchanges are willing and able to make a strong contribution to sustainable development,” UNCTAD director of investment and enterprise James Zhan said at the opening of the dialogue, which took place within the UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2016.
“We are very happy to see so many stock exchanges in Africa step forward to do their part towards achieving the sustainable development goals. Stock exchanges play a crucial role in driving the growing green economy which is vital to implementing the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We welcome the commitments of the stock exchanges of Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania which are putting sustainability at the heart of their business strategy,” said Ligia Noronha, director of Unep's division of technology, industry and economics.
Tiaan Bazuin, CEO of the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) said the country has long championed the cause of environmental protection as it was the first country in the world to include such wording in its Constitution.
“The NSX also elaborated on the Namibian Corporate Governance Code (NamCode). Accordingly, we are very proud to join this initiative and benchmark our policies to international best practices”, said Bazuin.
“It is a historic moment for the BSE as we join the SSE's initiative of the United Nations. This comes at an opportune time when the BSE is positioning itself as an international player within global markets”, said Botswana Stock Exchange CEO, Thapelo Tsheole at the event.
Moremi Marwa, CEO of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in Tanzania, said he was delighted to be a partner in this noble cause as he encouraged businesses and investors to be sensitive on matters which are necessary in this era and generations to come, such as the sustainability of the current and future societies.
With the addition of these three exchanges, there are now 14 stock exchanges in Africa who are members of the SSE, covering 20 countries.
