Dubai, UAE: As advocates of accountancy for a better world, ACCA hosted the Saudi Conference on Accounting and Sustainability for Finance conference in Riyadh yesterday, in collaboration with SOCPA (the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants) to share best practices and opportunities, and support accounting and finance professionals in Saudi and across the Middle East.

As part of ACCA’s events during COP28, the conference was opened with a welcome note from Dr. Saad Alshahrani, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment Studies at the Ministry of Investment.  In addition, keynote speeches were then delivered by Dr. Ahmed Al-Meghames, CEO of SOCPA (the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants), followed by Badr Almajnouni, Advisor for the Accrual Center, Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabia and Helen Brand, Chief Executive of ACCA.

Panel discussions addressed the topics of Finance Professionals at the Heart of Sustainable Organisations and Shaping the Future of Accounting and Finance.

Sustainability is one of the burning issues of our time and is an issue that is relevant to us all, regardless of where we live or our career choice. As organisations are rebuilding from the pandemic, there is a growing desire for a transformative and sustainable global recovery, which is providing a fresh focus for organisations to drive forward their position in relation to sustainability.

“Several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) place the responsibility on businesses to consider the effects of their activities and decisions on social and environmental systems. ACCA has a sound framework to support leaders in future-proofing their business and working our way towards a more sustainable world,” said Fazeela Gopalani, Head of ACCA Middle East.

ACCA will be attending the upcoming UN climate change summit in Dubai (COP28) and advocating for global sustainability reporting standards and a just transition to a more sustainable world.

“We’ll be taking part in a number of discussions on these and other topics, including climate finance, to use our global influence to help drive positive change. We’re a strong supporter of global sustainability reporting standards. With members in more than 180 countries, we know they can only be successful if they are widely adopted. So we’re developing a range of resources – from guides to events to learning resources – to help enable the development of the skills and knowledge needed, which we’ll share widely and inclusively,” Gopalani added.

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Media Contacts – Middle East:
Jola Chudy | jola@jolachudy.net
Natalie Glorney | natalie@jolachudy.net 

About ACCA

We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.  

Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we’ve long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 247,000 members and 526,000 future members in 181 countries.   

Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgement to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.  

Guided by our purpose and values, our vision is to develop the accountancy profession the world needs. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all. 

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