The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) today launched its fifth annual World Investor Week (WIW), a global campaign supported by securities regulators and IOSCO stakeholders around the world. The G-20 Italian Presidency has endorsed the IOSCO WIW for 2021.
From 4 to 10 October 2021, securities regulators, stock exchanges, global and regional financial organizations and other stakeholders will conduct an array of educational activities. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of investor education and protection in participants´ jurisdictions.
The activities, which started today in New Zealand (in a symbolic gesture to mark the opening of the financial markets activity of the day), range from publishing investor-focused material to organizing online webinars, virtual or in person conferences, and other events, depending on the prevailing pandemic-related circumstances. As in previous editions of the campaign, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) will conduct the “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy” ceremony with Exchanges and CCPs participating around the globe.
For this fifth edition of the WIW, some IOSCO members are also offering regional and global webinars to reach out to a broader audience on topics regarding investor education and protection that may be of common interest to retail investors worldwide. The dedicated campaign website (www.worldinvestorweek.org) offers additional information on local and regional/global events.
The key messages of the IOSCO WIW campaign in 2021 are based on two themes: 1) sustainable finance and 2) frauds and scams prevention. These messages complement those of previous IOSCO WIW editions, regarding online investing, digital learning and the basics of investing.
Ashley Alder, Chair of the IOSCO Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, said, “Financial education is key to supporting investor protection locally and worldwide. The 2021 WIW underscores IOSCO’s firm commitment to financial educational initiatives which enable retail investors to have the confidence to participate in financial markets on a properly informed basis. This is particularly important during these challenging times.”
Martin Moloney, Secretary General of IOSCO, said, “Retail investor protection cuts across many of the issues covered by IOSCO work streams. It is a cornerstone of all IOSCO’s work that our Committee on Retail Investors work continuously to promote the enhancement of financial education and retail investor protection.”
