Bogotá – The Colombian Securities Exchange (BVC for its Spanish initials) today announced that it will partner with the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative. Colombia is now the second Latin American exchange to join the SSE, along with ten others from the US, Europe, Africa and Asia. This diversification enables shared learning, with sustainable business practices reaching greater parts of the world.

Juan Pablo Córdoba, CEO of BVC said, “BVC recognizes the relevance of sustainability for the private sector, which is why it has proposed raising initiatives to foster the knowledge and skills needed in the market to face the challenges of sustainable and responsible investment. All this, with the vision set on creating long-term value for the prosperity of Colombia and the region.”

BVC convened various partners to celebrate its announcement. Left to Right in the picture: Juan Pablo Córdoba, President of BVC; Andrea Pradilla, Director Focal Point Colombia of the Global Reporting Initiative; Anna Van Zoest, Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Dutch Embassy in Colombia; Alejandro Navarro, Latin America Consultant at Sustainalytics.

Left to Right: Juan Pablo Córdoba, President of BVC; Anna Van Zoest, Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Dutch Embassy in Colombia; Andrea Pradilla, Director Focal Point Colombia of the Global Reporting Initiative; Alejandro Navarro, Latin America Consultant at Sustainalytics

Colombia’s securities industry is currently the fourth largest in Latin America. BVC has alliances both in and outside Colombia and is also a member of the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA for its Spanish initials). Its stock exchange alliances include the Colombian Stock exchange, Santiago Stock Exchange, and Lima Stock Exchange.

BVC is also member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) and it is currently a permanent member and elected President of the Ibero American Federation of Stock Exchanges (FIAB for it Spanish initials). BVC’s partnership with the SSE allows for greater representation of Latin America in this global forum.

BVC announced its partnership with the SSE during the opening bell ceremony, followed by the official launch of its new guide to responsible investment and the Latin American Sustainable Investment Forum (LatinSIF).

Join the conversation on sustainable capital markets at the SSE’s Global Dialogue 2014 on 14 October in Geneva.  The SSE is convened by the Principles for Responsible Investment, UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative, and the UN Global Compact.  To become a Partner Exchange, please contact [email protected].