Ms. Nandini Sukumar, CEO of the World Federation of Exchanges;
Dr Urs Rüegsegger, Chairman of the WFE and SIX Swiss Exchange;
Distinguished guests;
A very good morning and welcome to SGX for the Daily Securities Market Opening Ceremony.
The SGX IPO arena is an iconic place that was built to celebrate new company listings on the SGX. As part of SGX’s 20th anniversary celebration this year, we are striking the market opening gong every day, to celebrate the many great partnerships and friendships that we have forged over the years.
It is therefore my pleasure and honour to host you this morning as we officially open the proceedings of the 59th WFE General Assembly and Annual Meeting in Singapore.
This is the first time the exchanges are convening in Singapore for the WFE’s annual meeting. We come together, from every part of the world, to discuss the future of our industry and unite on issues that are critical to this future and that of our financial system.
Today, more so than ever before, we converge amidst a great deal of global geopolitical and economic uncertainty worldwide. This uncertainty is amplified as we stand on the cusp of extraordinary change and transformation – largely driven by regulatory challenges, advancements in technology and the need to build and support a more sustainable financial ecosystem.
Over the next three days, we will see many leaders of the world’s largest market infrastructures discuss and debate the biggest issues facing our industry, clients and citizens. We have a crucial role to play in supporting the financial markets and all who depend on it. It is important that we consider how we can help to manage the response to this uncertainty; how we continue to promote the interests of our markets and clients; and how we work together to drive positive change.
Globally, markets are more connected than ever before, but also far more complex. Exchanges exist to foster economic development and safeguard the financial ecosystem. As market infrastructure operators, our value lies in bringing different interests together, and facilitating engagements between our stakeholders, shareholders, investors and the public.
Across everything, collaboration will be key. We must work together to build partnerships, networks and ecosystems that will enable us to use our collective power, as global exchanges and in partnership with the WFE, to uncover opportunities while addressing these many challenges.
I want to applaud the WFE for the leading role they play in many of these critical issues, and for their policy and research work that forms the basis of much of the efforts of exchanges across the world. We look forward to continuing to work with WFE and our counterparts globally to keep up the momentum of growth and shape the future direction of the industry.
Thank you.
