The Role of Brokers in Promoting Sustainability
The financial brokerage business is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the world. As a broker, not only does the firm give its clients access to the multi-trillion dollar FX and stock markets on a daily basis, it also demonstrates the business practices through which it provides new trading opportunities.
And as they say, with great power comes great responsibility.
The popularity of forex and CFD brokers has increased significantly in the last two decades as they have made it accessible for retail participants to enter the market and find new trading opportunities. The ability to trade currency pairs, commodities, and indices all under one roof grabbed the attention of millions of traders.
Amid the influx of new participants and the growing scale of forex and CFD brokers, the firms’ business practices require an adjustment, not only to boost their own business but also to create a sustainable global economy.
Ultima Markets: Leading the Way in Sustainable Investing
Licensed brokers with a global presence serve clients in over 172 countries. With such an international client base, brokers need a global sustainability framework.
The United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, allows businesses around the world to align their strategies and operations with its Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) including Quality Education and Climate Action.
More than 25,000 businesses from different parts of the world are part of the United Nations Global Compact initiative. Participants, who come from different sectors, including technology, finance, and science, are committed to aligning their business practices to create an inclusive and sustainable global economy.
Driving Innovation and Education for a Sustainable Future
In December 2024, Ultima Markets, a regulated multi-asset financial trading services provider, became the world’s first CFD broker to join the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative. Ultima Markets, which has been an advocate of sustainability and transparency, has joined the initiative to reinforce its commitment to sustainability by aligning its business practices with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.
The ten principles of the UN Global Compact focus on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. The goal of Ultima Markets in joining the initiative is to promote environmental responsibility, social equity, and strong governance across the financial services sector.
As the influence of financial brokers is growing in the global corporate world, Ultima Markets will work with international organisations and key decision makers in an effort to counter climate change, promote equality, and encourage economic prosperity.
The United Nations Global Compact’s governance framework was adopted in August 2005. The initiative brings together CEOs of member businesses who collaborate to achieve goals set by the United Nations.
As Ultima Markets joins the UNGC, it is advancing ethical financial services and contributing to a sustainable future, while focused on aligning their operations and business practices with the United Nations’ SDGs.
Innovative Practices for a Sustainable Financial Future
The United Nations has a total of 17 SDGs that are aimed at poverty eradication, education, innovation, climate, and gender equality among others. As one of the leading brokers, Ultima Markets is focusing on creating financial literacy and fostering a culture of education that aligns with the United Nations’ SDG 4: Quality Education.
Ultima Markets believes in constant innovation. The broker’s emphasis on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure reflects its commitment to harnessing innovative technologies that improve access to financial services.
In addition to education and innovation, Ultima Markets is committed to adopting eco-friendly practices in its offices to align with SG 13: Climate Action. Ultima Markets will reduce its environmental impact and lead by example in the forex and CFD brokerage industry.
Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Future
By collaborating with global partners that are participating in the United Nations Global Compact to achieve the objectives, Ultima Markets will be supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The purpose of Ultima Markets is to not only lead by example in creating a sustainable global economy, but also to deliver long-term value to its global clients through education, innovation, climate action, and global partnerships.
(Author: Jean Philippe, Ultima Markets’ Board Advisor for Corporate Governance and Sustainability)