24 October 2016
As part of its commitment to promote sustainability of stock exchanges:

United Nations senior representatives as well as top executives of global stock exchanges convene in Dubai to address sustainability issues and challenges

Dubai - Dubai Financial Market (DFM) today organized a special bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate Dubai’s hosting of the Global Roundtable and Annual General Meeting 2016 of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Finance Initiative. The event underlines DFM’s constant commitment to promote the sustainability of stock exchanges.

The bell-ringing ceremony sets the stage for these high-level meetings taking place 25 – 26 October 2016 and hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The meetings are an ideal opportunity for the finance sector to answer some of the most pressing questions facing the finance world.

Eric Usher, Head of the UNEP FI, rang the DFM market-opening bell in the presence of His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DFM and senior representatives of stock exchanges participating in the meetings.

Commenting on this, H.E. Essa Kazim said, “DFM is delighted to welcome the distinguished representatives of the UNEP and leading stock exchanges. This event has provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate stock exchanges’ joint efforts and successes in terms of sustainability over the past years. Our enthusiasm to observe this occasion stems from our deep belief in the importance of creating the necessary frameworks and environment for sustainability of stock exchanges and the financial sector in general and we hope that this drive gains further momentum during the coming period.”

“Stock exchanges play a crucial role in driving the growing green economy, so vital to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, said Eric Usher, Head of the UNEP Finance Initiative. “UNEP FI looks forward to engaging and supporting finance stakeholders in the region to help enhance their sustainability practices.”

It is noteworthy that DFM became a Partner Exchange Member of the United Nation’s Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative in June 2016, as part of its continuous efforts to spearhead sustainability practices amongst capital markets. DFM has implemented numerous initiatives that significantly strengthened sustainability and green economy practices within the exchange and listed companies. Additionally, DFM participated in the Sustainable Stock Exchanges’ Global Dialogue that took place in Singapore on 6 September 2016.

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About Dubai Financial Market: 
Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established as a public institution with its own independent corporate body. DFM operates as a secondary market for the trading of securities issued by public shareholding companies, bonds issued by the Federal Government or any of the local Governments and public institutions in the country, units of investment funds and any other financial instruments, local or foreign, which are accepted by the market. The DFM commenced operations on March 26, 2000 and became the first Islamic Shari’a-compliant exchange globally since 2007. Following its initial public offering in November 2006, when DFM offered 1.6 billion shares, representing 20 per cent of its paid-up capital of AED 8 billion, DFM became a public joint stock company and its shares were listed on 7 March 2007 with the trading symbol (DFM). . Following the IPO, the Government of Dubai retained the remaining 80 per cent of DFM Company through Borse Dubai Limited. www.dfm.ae

For media inquiries, please contact:
Atef Fathy
Vice President – Head of Media & Public Relations
Dubai Financial Market
Tel: 04-3055334
Email: afathy@dfm.ae  

© Press Release 2016