(17 September 2018) The Stock Exchange of Panama (BVP) joined the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative by signing a commitment letter to promote sustainable and transparent capital markets. The SSE initiative was launched by then Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, in 2009, and is organized by UNCTAD, the UN Global Compact, UNEP-FI and the PRI. The Panama exchange is the 77th SSE Partner Exchange, the 2nd from Central America.

“The Panama Stock Exchange reiterates its commitment to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). By joining the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative we strengthen our commitment to promoting sustainable investments based on ESG criteria, thus increasing the development of our capital market, and therefore, of our country,” said Olga Cantillo, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Stock Exchange of Panama.

“We are committed to having better disclosures and performance in terms of environmental, social and governance development, among the companies listed on the Panama Stock Exchange and the financial center of our country,” Ms. Cantillo said.

The BVP has been working for three years on the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and currently addresses 7 of the 17 goals. It also participated in the Ring of Bell for Gender Equality of the SSE this year in promotion of gender equality in its market.

Additionally, the Panama Stock Exchange is working with partners in promoting the establishment of a Sustainable Finance Working Group, which seeks to establish a road map in Panama to have a model of co-responsibility among all the actors of the financial sector for the sustainable development of the environmental, social and governance management of the country.