(Wellington, New Zealand 18 April 2017) The New Zealand stock exchange, NZX Limited, announced that it is joining the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative. This comes alongside a commitment to substantively update the NZX’s Corporate Governance Code.

“NZX is delighted to join the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative,” said Mark Peterson the CEO of NZX Limited. “Given the role NZX plays at the centre of New Zealand’s capital markets we have a unique opportunity to work with listed companies to encourage and enhance the quality of environmental, social and corporate governance reporting.”

“We welcome New Zealand stock exchange to the UN’s global family of stock exchanges working with us to promote responsible investment in sustainable development,” said James Zhan, UNCTAD Director of Investment and Enterprise.

While officially licensed in 2002, NZX Limited has its roots in the 19th century New Zealand gold rush. The exchange formed through the demutualization of the now-disbanded New Zealand Stock Exchange, and assumes the organization’s responsibilities.

“We are delighted to welcome New Zealand as a Partner Exchange to the SSE initiative,” said Fiona Reynolds, Managing Director of Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). “New Zealand Superannuation Fund was one of PRI’s founding signatories and the region continues to grow it responsible investment practices.”

NZX Limited is the latest in the growing list of SSE Partner Exchanges acknowledging the importance of promoting sustainability through capital markets.

For more information on the NZX Limited, please click here.