BALI DECLARATION on Commitment to SDGs

Whereas the Asia-Pacific region, housing a majority of the world’s  population, attains and sustains rapid economic growth, playing an  invaluable role in driving the world economy,

Whereas the same region also comprises more than half of the world’s poorest and, with rapid industrialization and changes to social structure, faces difficult social and environmental challenges,

Whereas addressing the social, economic, and environmental problems of the Asia-Pacific region will play a consequential role in the sustainable  development of not only the region, but also the world as a whole,

Whereas the securities industry is expected to play a major role in efficiently allocating the funds necessary for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations,

WE, THE ASIA SECURITIES FORUM,

Recalling the objectives of our establishment to facilitate information exchange within the securities industries of the Asia-Pacific region and to contribute to the development of securities markets and economic growth in this region,

Reflecting the development of its membership with substantial coverage of geographic areas and demographics comprising the securities markets of the fastest growing region of the world,

Recognizing that the securities industry in this region can play crucial roles in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),

HEREBY DECLARE to commit ourselves to,

Encourage the development and maintenance of, in cooperation with relevant regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, the financial and securities markets that can contribute to the achievement of the aforementioned goals,

Welcome and aim to support widely implemented global capital markets initiatives that credibly contribute to the SDGs, such as the Green and Social Bond Principles and Sustainability Bond Guidelines, and

Enhance multilateral cooperation among our members and bolster our function as a platform through which we can share the information, expertise and experiences in this field.