08 Μαρτίου 2019

The Athens Stock Exchange Rings the Bell for Gender Equality - Friday, March 8th, 2019

In celebration of International Women's Day, the Athens Stocks Exchange hosted an opening bell ringing ceremony, as part of a global collaboration across 85 stock exchanges that planned to "Ring the Bell for Gender Equality".  The events, now in their fifth iteration, are a partnership between IFC, Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, UN Global Compact, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges and Women in ETFs, to raise awareness about the business case for women's economic empowerment and the opportunities for the private sector to advance gender equality and sustainable development. In addition to the bell ringing events, the bell ringing partner organizations applaud the work done to date, and encourage stock exchanges to take further action to improve gender equality in their markets.

The bell was rung by top women executives and board members of the Athens Stock Exchange and the Hellenic Energy Exchange, and the aim of this event was to bring attention to the urgency of gender equality and women's economic empowerment. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, Goal 5 on gender equality and empowerment is integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. As a member exchange of the SSE, the Athens Stock Exchange drives the message that capital markets and the private sector have an important role to play in advancing gender equality. This event forms a part of a wider initiative by the Athens Stock Exchange to promote responsible investment and enhance corporate performance of environmental, social and governance issues (ESG).

Highlights of the event

Download the Press Release

About the Athens Exchange Group

The Athens Stock Exchange, since its establishment in 1876, has been consistently participating in the financial and business developments in the country.

The Athens Exchange Group (ATHEX Group), supports the growth and organisation of the Greek Capital Market. It operates the organized equities and derivatives markets, the alternative market and performs clearing and settlement of transactions.

The Athens Stock Exchange, through its markets, offers solutions and financing tools to businesses, expands investor choice by providing a safe, stable and convenient environment in full alignment with international practices and the European regulatory framework.

In a period when the role of stock markets in exploring alternative ways of financing business, at a European level, is significantly enhanced, the Athens Exchange Group has taken a series of initiatives to highlight the attractiveness of the Greek Capital Market and to promote Greek companies to the international investment community.

The Group's stocks are listed on the Main Market of the Athens Stock Exchange (Symbol: EXAE).

Summary information on the market and the Athens Exchange Group can be found at this link and the website of www.athexgroup.gr.

About the Partner Organizations

IFC - a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group - is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to help end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. Follow us on Twitter: @IFC_org The Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative The SSE initiative is a peer-to-peer learning platform for exploring how exchanges, in collaboration with investors, regulators, and companies, can enhance corporate transparency - and ultimately performance - on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues and encourage sustainable investment. The SSE initiative is convened by four organizations - the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). To learn more about becoming a Partner Stock Exchange or participating as a regulator or investor, visit sseinitiative.org Follow us on Twitter: @sseinitiative United Nations Global Compact As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the mandate of the UN Global Compact is to guide and support the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 70 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at www.unglobalcompact.org.

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women's equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy; All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system's work in advancing gender equality.

Learn more at: http://www.unwomen.org and https://www.empowerwomen.org/en/weps/about. Follow us on Twitter @UN_Women @Empower_Women and on LinkedIn: UN Women

The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE):
Established in 1961, the WFE is the global industry association for exchanges and clearing houses. Headquartered in London, it represents over 250 market infrastructure providers. WFE exchanges are home to nearly 45,000 listed companies, and the market capitalisation of these entities is over $82.5 trillion (at end 2017). The WFE is the definitive source for exchange-traded statistics and publishes over 350 market data indicators. Its statistics database stretches back more than 40 years, and provides information and insight into developments on global exchanges. The WFE works with standard-setters, policy makers, regulators and government organisations around the world to support and promote the development of fair, transparent, stable and efficient markets. Follow us on Twitter: @TheWFE and on LinkedIn: WFE

Women in ETFs (WE)
Women in ETFs is the first women's group for the ETF industry. Founded in January 2014, WE is a non-profit organization that brings together over 4,500 members, including women and men, in chapters in major financial centers across the United States, Canada, EMEA and Asia Pacific to: 1) CONNECT: Create opportunities for professional advancement of women by expanding connections among women and men in the ETF industry; 2) SUPPORT: Offer guidance for the current and next generation of women in ETFs and 3) INSPIRE: WE achieves this by organizing events at our chapters globally that support our goals of education, networking, philanthropy and idea sharing across the industry and beyond. For more information, visit: www.womeninetfs.com to learn more, join, or sponsor. Follow us on Twitter: @WomeninETFs and on Linkedin: Women in ETFs