Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) has become part of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative, authorities said Wednesday.

The SSE is the 65th exchange in the initiative, and the first from the Chinese mainland, said Wu Qing, head of the SSE.

The UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative was launched in 2009 to strengthen communication and learning among exchanges, increase cooperation between exchanges and market entities, and promote sustainable development.

So far, the initiative has covered more than 30,000 listed companies. Market value within the initiative has exceeded 53 trillion U.S. dollars, about 70 percent of the combined value of all listed companies worldwide.

Authorities with the SSE said that joining the initiative resonates the 13th Five-Year Plan and China's plans for sustainable development.