May News Highlights

May News Highlights

2 June 2023

This month includes news from Bolsa de Valores de Guayaquil, Bursa Malaysia, Japan Exchange and more. Monthly news highlights are compiled by the SSE to give an overview of the capital markets' sustainability news from that month. You can subscribe to our monthly news highlights by clicking here. SSE INITIATIVE NEWS & EVENTS  SSE addresses journalists at Guayaquil Stock Exchange sustainable finance workshop 8 May 2023 As part of the exchange’s ongoing work with the media to promote the country's stock market culture, Ecuadorian stock exchange Bolsa de Valores de Guayaquil (BVG) held their first journalist workshop of the year at the exchange office, with the theme of "Sustainable finance: introduction to ESG factors and opportunities in the issuance of thematic bonds in Ecuador."  UN SSE supports student entrepreneurs in Euronext’s “Blue Challenge” 18 May 2023 The SSE supported young student entrepreneurs in Euronext’s Blue Challenge as part of the jury. The Blue Challenge is an entrepreneurship education programme, launched by Euronext in partnership with JA Europe, the largest non-profit organization in Europe dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. SSE Academy: TCFD Training sessions for the financial sector June and July 2023 New TCFD training available for the financial sector. The sessions will be translated live in Spanish and Portuguese. UNCTAD: Registration for World Investment Forum 2023 now open 12 May 2023 The event will focus on increasing investment in sustainable development to tackle cascading global crises. EXCHANGE NEWS Japan Exchange Group and ADB Agree Collaboration for promotion of sustainable finance etc. in the Asia-Pacific region 3 May 2023 Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (JPX) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate with each other in areas such as the promotion of sustainable finance and digital technology in financial services in the Asia-Pacific region. Bursa Malaysia, Mah Sing And Alliance Bank Collaborate To Drive ESG Adoption 11 May 2023 Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or the “Exchange”) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (“MOC”) each with Mah Sing Group Berhad (“Mah Sing”) and Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (“Alliance Bank”), to bring them on board as early adopters of its Centralised Sustainability Intelligence Platform (“Platform”). The collaboration aims to expedite the adoption and integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices among companies, resulting in a more sustainable and resilient business ecosystem. ICMA and LuxSE launch sustainable bonds database 17 May 2023 The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) has launched a new database for sustainable bond data, in partnership with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE). The database will be openly available on ICMA’s website. TASE and the SFI Group to launch first-of-its-kind Israel joint impact fund for professional training and job placement for underprivileged populations 17 May 2023 The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) and the SFI Group (Social Finance Israel) are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration in the establishment of an unprecedented impact investment fund in Israel. This joint initiative aims to revolutionize the training and placement of underserved populations into quality employment opportunities. NGX: Sustainable Finance Key to Transforming Nigeria’s Economy 25 May 2023 The Divisional Head, Capital Markets, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Mr Jude Chiemeka, made this known yesterday in Lagos at the Investor Engagement session organised by NGX and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) themed: ‘Empowering Responsible Investing – ESG Disclosure’. For the second time in May, Bolsa de Valores de Guayaquil held a workshop on sustainable finance for journalists 30 May 2023 BVG is committed to the dissemination of information and the promotion of a stock market culture in the country. REGULATORS AND STANDARDS SETTER NEWS IFRS: Consultation now open: The ISSB seeks feedback on its priorities for the next two years 4 May 2023 The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is seeking feedback on its priorities for its next two-year work plan. The Request for Information Consultation on Agenda Priorities is open for comments until 1 September 2023. SBFN Toolkit: Developing Sustainable Finance Roadmaps 9 May 2023 Sustainable Banking and Finance Network launched a Toolkit on Developing Sustainable Finance Roadmaps, which consists of a Guide and Excel-based Mapping and Benchmarking Tool The World Federation of Exchanges to Create New Educational Certification for Market Infrastructure 4 May 2023 The World Federation of Exchanges (“The WFE”), the global body for exchanges and CCPs, today announced the creation of a new Market Infrastructure Certificate (MIC) programme, the first of its kind, which is aimed at educating the next generation of financial services leaders globally. ISDA: Energy Security and the Road to Net Zero: the Role of the Derivatives Market 9 May 2023 This paper from the ISDA Future Leaders in Derivatives program aims to build on existing literature on the topic of decarbonization and provide insight into how the derivatives market can protect energy security while facilitating the transition to net zero. Australia: Update on ASIC’s recent greenwashing actions 10 May 2023 ASIC today released a short report detailing the 35 interventions it has made in response to its greenwashing surveillance activities from 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023. The report also identifies the increasing levels of representations on environmental, social and governance credentials by listed companies, managed funds and superannuation funds. IFC Climate Governance: Progression Matrix & Tip Sheet 22 May 2023 IFC announces IFC’s Climate Governance Matrix and Tip Sheet for Corporate Boards now available on IFC’s website. These two products have been developed as part of IFC’s on-going efforts to promote climate governance standards in the private sector. FSB Europe Group discusses risks to financial stability, including recent banking sector stress, DeFi and climate change 23 May 2023 The Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group for Europe met today in London. The group discussed global and regional financial market developments and financial stability risks arising from decentralized finance (DeFi) and from climate change. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive Playbook 25 May 2023 A White Paper from Reuters Events Sustainable Business by Richard Howitt Europe: ESAs propose ESG disclosures for STS Securitisations  25 May 2023 The three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) today jointly submitted to the European Commission Draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on the ESG impact disclosure for Simple, Transparent and Standardised (STS) securitisations under the Securitisation Regulation (SECR).  These final draft RTS aim to help market participants make informed decisions about the sustainability impact of their investments. New Zealand: Sustainable? Ethical? The Substance Must Back Up The Claims - Paul Gregory, Executive Director Response And Enforcement, New Zealand Financial Markets Authority 25 May 2023 Regulators don’t decide ethics. From a regulatory perspective – and pending mandatory climate reporting requirements aside – it is acceptable for managed funds to do very little on environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability provided they don’t pretend (or advertise) otherwise. But investors are different. GENDER EQUALITY LuxSE Releases Market Study On Gender-Focused Bond Market 12 May 2023 In a new market study powered by the LGX DataHub, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) provides a detailed analysis of bonds with a gender component listed worldwide, illustrates how such bonds help link gender and finance in today’s economy, and offers suggestions on how issuers can contribute to scaling up gender finance. Japan to tell top listed firms to have at least 1 woman executive 21 May 2023 The Japanese government is planning to urge companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's top-tier Prime market to have at least one woman executive by 2025 as the country lags behind other advanced economies in corporate gender equality. NGX: Corporate Governance Triangle Emphasizes Importance Of Diversity, Inclusion To Corporate Performance 22 May 2023 At the first edition of the Annual Corporate Governance Colloquium organised by Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) and Institute of Directors (IoD), experts on corporate governance noted that diversity and inclusion at leadership of companies aided better decision making.  EXECUTIVE MOVES Stéphane Boujnah reappointed as CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext 17 May 2023 Euronext today announced that the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) has approved the reappointment of Stéphane Boujnah as member of the Managing Board. Stéphane Boujnah was also reappointed as CEO and Chairman of Euronext’s Managing Board for a four-year mandate. EGX Chairman Joins the Board of Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences 21 May 2023 Rami El-Dokany, Executive Chairman of The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) joined the Board of Arab Academy for Management, Banking, and Financial Sciences (AAMBFS). This Board is the body entrusted with articulating academic policies and developing the academy's programs and educational curricula. 

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