The Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative is proud to announce the second annual global “Ring the Bell for LGBTIQ+ Equality” campaign.
Following the success of the inaugural 2025 event — which saw 15 stock exchanges around the world ring their bells in support of equality and inclusion — the 2026 campaign will once again unite exchanges, companies, investors, and LGBTIQ+ organizations worldwide.
Taking place between 14–23 May 2026, the ceremonies will mark the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (17 May), as well as Pride month, in relevant countries. Participating exchanges will host in-person or virtual bell-ringing ceremonies to reaffirm their commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, and human rights for all, including LGBTIQ+ people, within global markets and workplaces.
Advancing Equality Through Collective Action
The Global Partners, the UN SSE, UN Global Compact, UN Human Rights (OHCHR), Koppa – The LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab and Open for Business invite all exchanges and market participants to join this growing movement.
The private sector plays a critical role in advancing inclusion and equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people. “Ring the Bell for LGBTIQ+ Equality 2026” provides a powerful platform for the global business community to:
- Raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in markets and workplaces.
- Advance dialogue on equality and human rights.
Strengthen partnerships across sectors. - Help create an inclusive economy where everyone is respected and valued, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals’ core principle of leaving no one behind and supports the UN Standards of Conduct for Business on Tackling Discrimination against LGBTIQ+ People, endorsed by more than 400 companies worldwide.
Join us in 2026 to continue building momentum for equality.
To find out more, please contact the SSE secretariat.
About Our Partner Organizations
United Nations Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 62 Country Networks covering 77 countries, and 14 Country Managers establishing Networks in 20 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org
UN Human Rights (OHCHR)
We are the leading United Nations entity on human rights. We promote and protect all human rights, speak out objectively in the face of human rights violations, and help elaborate the standards that are used to evaluate human rights progress worldwide. We help empower people through research, education, and advocacy activities, contributing to increased awareness and engagement by the international community and the public on human rights issues. We assist Governments through our field presence to help prevent abuses and contribute to defusing situations that could lead to conflict. Our monitoring and analysis feeds sensitive decision-making and development programming. We also provide capacity-building and legal advice to thousands, supporting the development and judicious enactment of laws and policies the world around. Learn more at: https://www.ohchr.org and https://www.unfe.org/. Follow us on LinkedIn: United Nations Human Rights, X: @UNHumanRights and @free_equal, Facebook: @unitednationshumanrights and @free.equal, Instagram: @unitednationshumanrights and @free.equal, TikTok: @unitednationshumanrights
Koppa: The LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab
Our mission is to unleash global LGBTI+ economic power through knowledge, financing, and connection, changing systems to create a more equitable future. We focus on innovation and bring the power of our broad networks, our understanding of the ecosystem, and hands-on experience in expanding economic opportunities for LGBTI+ people.
Our priorities:
Unleash economic power: Create new funding pathways for LGBTI+ economic development interventions by capturing best practices to encourage replication and action.
Activate data: Develop new data products to empower communities, change systems of exclusion and accelerate investment. Increase the volume and quality of LGBTI+ data that is collected and utilized at the international, national and sub national levels to improve LGBTI+ livelihood outcomes.
Unlock finance: Provide a range of interventions to accelerate and strengthen the field of LGBTI+ inclusive finance throughout the capital stack thereby encouraging the volume and value of financing for LGBTI+ communities.
Accelerate talent: Build the bench for LGBTI+ economic development talent and investigate pathways to sustainable income generation for LGBTI+ individuals and CSOs.
Learn more at https://koppalab.org/ or follow us on our socials: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/koppa-power-lab/ ; Instagram - @koppa_lab ; Facebook - @KoppaLab
About Open for Business
Open for Business is a global coalition of leading companies advancing the economic and business case for LGBTQ+ inclusion. We work to strengthen the evidence base showing that inclusive, diverse societies are more innovative, more competitive, and better positioned for sustainable economic growth. Our mission is to equip business and political leaders with rigorous data, practical insights, and global networks that help drive both economic performance and LGBTQ+ rights. Founded in 2015, Open for Business now brings together 30 multinational companies committed to fair and equal treatment for LGBTQ+ people. Our coalition spans sectors including finance, technology, professional services, consumer goods, industrials, and pharmaceuticals, collectively employing tens of millions of people worldwide.
We operate globally through a combination of in-country regional leads, global research programmes, and strategic partnerships. Our ongoing work spans Southeast Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, and East Africa, where we conduct research, mobilise business leaders, and support multi-stakeholder efforts to advance inclusion. At the global level, we engage with the World Economic Forum, UN agencies, international business networks, and leading civil society organisations to strengthen economies and promote more just societies.
Our priorities include:
- Building evidence: Producing world-class economic research to demonstrate how LGBTQ+ inclusion contributes to growth, innovation, competitiveness and talent attraction.
- Mobilising business leaders: Convening senior executives, investors, and policymakers to drive systemic change.
- Supporting local action: Strengthening the capacity of regional partners and civil society organisations to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in challenging environments.
For more information, visit open-for-business.org or follow us on LinkedIn at Open for Business.
About UN SSE
The SSE initiative is a UN Partnership Programme organised by UNCTAD, the UN Global Compact, UNEP FI and the PRI. The SSE’s mission is to provide a global platform for exploring how exchanges, in collaboration with investors, companies (issuers), regulators, policymakers and relevant international organizations, can enhance performance on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues and encourage sustainable investment, including the financing of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The SSE seeks to achieve this mission through an integrated programme of conducting evidence-based policy analysis, facilitating a network and forum for multi-stakeholder consensus-building, and providing technical assistance and advisory services.