IFAC President first time to come in Dhaka, joins SAFA International Conference 2026

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) is going to hold an international conference under the title SAFA International Conference 2026 where good number of foreign delegates are expected to join including the President of IFAC, the apex body of all accountants in the globe. The conference theme is “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting”. ICAB President NKA Mobin FCA gave opening remarks while Muhammed Farhad Hussain FCA, Chairman, organizing committee of SAFA International conference, ICAB Vice President Md. Rokonuzzaman FCA, CEO Shubhashish Bose, and Chief Operating Officer Mahbub Ahmed Siddique FCA spoke on the occasion. ICAB Council Member Zareen Mahmud Hosein FCA and AmranHossan FCA were also present. 

Describing the details of SAFA International Conference, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) organized a press briefing at CA Bhaban, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. The future of accountancy lies in the strategic integration of Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting.Technology today is not merely supporting development—it is shaping Bangladesh’s economic future and rapidly evolving professional landscape. 

The next-generation accountant must therefore master dual competencies—governing algorithmic ethics and validating non-financial impact—to build stakeholder trust and steer capital toward a sustainable growth. The  Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be central to shaping a new Bangladesh by enabling smarter governance, stronger economic competitiveness, and more inclusive social development. 

The country’s national economic development is increasingly intertwined with information technology. Across both public and private sectors, IT has been transforming service delivery, economic participation, and governance. Digital payments and mobile financial services have brought millions of individuals and small businesses into a formal economy, strengthening domestic demand, supporting entrepreneurship, and accelerating financial inclusion. 

Against this backdrop, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) is hosting the SAFA International Conference titled “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting” on 17 January 2026 at Hotel Le Méridien, Dhaka. This Conference perfectly aligns with the vision of the Government - a New Bangladesh. By embracing ethical AI, professional accountants can drive innovation and enhance transparency, while sustainability reporting ensures accountability and responsible growth. This convergence of ethics, technology, and sustainability reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to building a progressive, globally respected nation where professional excellence underpins national transformation.

This premier regional event will bring together more than 500 professionals, regulators, academics, and thought leaders from Bangladesh, across South Asia and the global forum.  The aim to share key information about the SAFA International Conference that is going to be held on 17 January 2026. The goal is to provide clarity, importance and insight into the conference and the impact it will have on the initiative for building new Bangladesh through regional and global connect.

Md. Touhid Hossain, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, will inaugurate the conference as the Chief Guest, marking a momentous beginning to this landmark event. The Governor of Bangladesh Bank (the central bank of Bangladesh) Dr. Ahsan H. Mansurand NazmaMobarek, Secretary, Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance, GoBwill grace the occasion as Special Guests. Their presence reflects the strong support of the Government of Bangladesh for advancing professional excellence, ethical standards, and international collaboration in the accounting and finance sectors.On an invitation from ICAB, for the first time in Dhaka, the conference will be further distinguished by the presence of Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), as the Guest of Honor. Mr. Bouquot’s participation underscores the global relevance of the conference and highlights the far-reaching impact of discussions that will shape the future of the accounting profession, particularly in areas such as sustainability reporting, ethical artificial intelligence, and next-generation professional practices.

This gathering promises to be a historic convergence of national leadership and international expertise, offering a unique platform for thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and strategic dialogue on critical issues that would reshape the regional and global professional connection and collaboration. It is also noteworthy that during this event, the baton of SAFA leadership to be handed over to Mohammed HumayunKabir, FCA, Past President of ICAB, who assumed office as President of South Asia Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for 2026 while Mahbub Ahmed Siddique FCA, Chief Operating Officer, ICAB will take over the charge as SAFA Executive Secretary. We congratulate them. 

We value your role as the bridge between our work and the public, and we are committed to answering your questions openly and comprehensively relating to this international conference, said Muhammed Farhad Hussain FCA, Chairman, organizing committee of SAFA International conference.

By bringing together regulators, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics, and accounting practitioners from the SAARC region including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan, the conference would foster comprehensive dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on the specific themes of conference and technical sessions. It is that the profession not only adapts to technological intervention but also reinforces public trust, he added. 

The Key technical sessions include:
Technical session- one will be held on the theme of the Professional Landscape: Reshaped by Ethics and Technology, examining the integration of ethical frameworks with emerging technologies in accounting and auditing. Technical session-two will be held on the theme of Beyond Numbers: The Professional Accountants Evolving Role, highlighting the expanding role of accountants in governance, strategy, and sustainable value creation.

Technical session-three will be held on the theme of Framework to Outcome: Sustainability Assurance that would address standards, practices, and challenges in sustainability reporting and assurance. In valedictory session, the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun will be present in the occasion as the Chief Guest. Mr. Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, GoB  and Dr. Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, Chairman, Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, GoB will join as Special Guests. 

The Vice President (Education & Training))-ICAB Mr. Md. Rokonuzzaman FCA will sum up discussions in the inaugural session and all technical sessions. Notably, the SAFA International Conference 2026 is being organized by an Organising Committee of the Council-ICAB, headed by Muhammed Farhand Hussain FCA, Past President of ICAB. The Committee is further supported by a number of Sub-Committees led by dedicated Conveners. 

The chartered accountancy profession is entering a decisive phase as rapid technological advancement, and rising sustainability imperatives reshape its traditional boundaries. The Chartered accountants are uniquely positioned to guide this responsible adoption by embedding ethical principles and regulatory compliance into digital systems and redefine corporate accountability through sustainability reporting. Through continuous learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and values-driven leadership, the next-generation CA can strengthen governance, safeguard public interest, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable and inclusive economic growth yet ensuring all ethical codes.

About SAFA
The South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), established in 1984, is a regional forum serving the accountancy profession across the SAARC region. Representing over 450,000 accountants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Afghanistan, SAFA is an acknowledged regional accounting grouping of IFAC and works to harmonize professional standards and practices to support regional economic development.