Chairman’s Message

Dear Esteemed Members of AECSD;

It is a privilege to address you at a time when our Association continues to strengthen its institutional capacity and visibility. Through the modernization of our governance framework and communication practices, AECSD has strengthened its ability to engage constructively with peers and stakeholders, contributing with a clearer and more cohesive voice to the global CSD agenda.

Our priority remains clear: deeper cross-regional cooperation, faster and more structured knowledge exchange, and pragmatic innovation that improves market efficiency and resilience across our markets. The momentum created by our recent joint engagements demonstrate that when we connect regions, we expand opportunities for investors, issuers, and infrastructures alike.

AECSD, Asia-Pacific CSD Group (ACG) and Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) will convene in İstanbul for a joint summit and association meetings in an unprecedented format that brings three regional CSD communities together.  This is not merely a conference; it is a practical step toward sustained cooperation across our regions, creating a shared space to align priorities, compare implementation experiences, and identify concrete areas for collaboration.

The summit agenda will focus on the themes most relevant to our members today, including cross-border connectivity and investment flows, settlement efficiency, the transition from regulations to practice in digital and crypto-asset developments, operational resilience, platform modernization, and the growing link between market infrastructure, corporate governance, and sustainability.

The Secretariat and I remain fully committed to supporting initiatives that advances our shared mission of secure, efficient, and inclusive capital markets.

In parallel, my role as Chair of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC) strengthens our ability to connect regional priorities with the global industry agenda to ensure that the perspectives and practical needs of AECSD members are heard, understood, and reflected in broader international cooperation.

Together, we will continue to foster meaningful collaboration, deliver tangible value to our members, and strengthen the credibility and impact of our community on the global stage.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN
Chair of AECSD & WFC
CEO & Board Member of MKK