IIX
To define a way forward for more to participate in building a gender-equal future.
June 9th, Singapore – Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has made a big step forward in revolutionizing gender lens investing with the launch of the Orange Bond Initiative™, the world’s first asset class by and for the Global South and the 99% as a solution to financing gender equality. Trailblazing representatives across public, private sectors, and civil society gathered at the Orange Bond Initiative™ inaugural Steering Committee meeting on 19th May, 2022 to mark the moment in history. The meeting addressed the fundamentals of practices in revolutionizing gender lens investing to further push the boundaries that build a gender-empowered financial system.
Founding members who attended represent some of the world’s most renowned names in the field of sustainable investing and gender equality, including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Water.org, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Shearman & Sterling, and Nuveen.
The Orange Bond Initiative™ has democratization and diversity as part of its DNA, starting with the way Principles are being designed. As part of their commitment, the Steering Committee will work towards defining standards so women, girls, and gender minorities at the last mile have a voice in the reporting process and are represented in the investment decision-making process.
“Gender equality is key to achieving sustainability. This coalition will push forward an initiative we know will benefit economies around the world,” says Stephen M. Liberatore, Head of Public Markets ESG/Impact Fixed Income Investment team at Nuveen, a $1.3 trillion Global Asset Manager.
“This is an initiative for the people by the people. An initiative of this global nature pushes the boundaries and redefines the financial system to revolutionize financing for women and establish gender equality at the core of financial markets. It calls for a democratic approach that engages as many ecosystem players in unison to support and drive forth a harmonized plan for the future.” comments Durreen Shahnaz, Founder, and CEO of IIX.
The Steering Committee intends to further push the envelope by focusing on designing gender bond criteria and creating an enabling ecosystem. In the coming months, the Steering Committee members will be hosting a series of round tables with various ecosystem actors and will ensure representation of the Global South, the 99%, civil society, among other groups that are typically underrepresented in financial markets and in the gender-lens investing narrative.
The impact generated by the Steering Committee members and the ecosystem partners will ripple beyond 100 million women and girls, through communities for generations. It is through embracing women at the core of the solution that enables the initiative to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
IIX will be issuing the pilot Orange Bond as part of its award-winning Women’s Livelihood Bond™ Series. Meanwhile, the other Steering Committee members are collaborating on a range of Orange Bond transactions worldwide using innovative financial structures designed to create a transformative impact on women.
Join us in building a gender-empowered financial system through this new asset class by becoming a signatory. Signatories will be invited to join the conversation as a part of round table discussions and gain access to ongoing updates about the initiative regarding upcoming transactions and other opportunities to be a part of building the Orange Bond ecosystem.