Corporate social responsibility and sustainability activities have recently started to occupy an important place in the agendas of all entities and institutions that are related to the capital markets.   With the incorporation of social responsibility and environmental issues into the scope of corporate governance, several institutions began publishing corporate social responsibility reports.   It appears that exchanges take much part in social responsibility studies and more exchanges increasingly develop projects sensitive to social life and environment.    Furthermore, studies are carried out through a task force set up within the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) with a view to identifying the role of the exchanges in creating a sustainable community.  Our Exchange has become a member of UN Global Compact and UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI).The strategies of WFE-member exchanges relating to sustainability are classified in three general categories: 
1) To create awareness in listed companies on environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance issues; 
2) To create sustainability indices, to develop information services and products for investors,
3) To set up specialized markets for specific sustainable investment niches.

Taking into account the above mentioned working areas, our Exchange started a sustainability index project in cooperation with the Business World and Sustainable Development Association. It is planned that an ISE Sustainability Index which will be comprised of ISE-listed companies that incorporate sustainability criteria into their investment processes and activities will be launched upon the completion of the project.  In addition to the index preparations mentioned above, it is deemed beneficial if all the activities aimed at increasing environmental and social sensitivity and improving corporate governance are carried out under a single program, and where applicable, the suggestions resulting from such activities are integrated into the decision-making processes and applications of the Exchange.    The activities to be carried out in this framework are also expected to make significant contribution to the corporate identity and brand equity of our Exchange.