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IFAC Calls on G20 to Balance COVID-19 Response with a Focus on the Long-Term Future and Other Urgent Global Priorities

The Global Accountancy Profession Calls on G20 Leaders to strengthen commitments to sustainability, inclusion, integrity, and global collaboration.

Jul 21, 2020 | English

COVID-19 has raised challenges that are unprecedented in the modern era. The G20 governments have responded with significant short-term actions to support people and economies. Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), which represents more than three million professional accountants worldwide, is calling on G20 countries to remain focused on long-term progress alongside their immediate priorities for response and recovery.

“We are at a critical inflection point around the world for many reasons. While the immediate response to COVID-19 is paramount, we must not take action that puts other urgent global priorities and progress at risk,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “The decisions we make now and the actions we take are crucial as we work to build strong, sustainable economies and realize the opportunities of the 21st century for all.”

G20 countries play a crucial role in fostering institutions and governance models that can anticipate and mitigate future crises. To strengthen our global economy as we manage the myriad new challenges presented by COVID-19, IFAC calls on G20 leaders to:

1. Accelerate Sustainability and Inclusion

The COVID-19 crisis is a wake-up call to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. Both the business community and governments have an important role to play in this transformation, from focusing on long-term value creation to supporting an economy aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Focus on Public Sector Transparency and Integrity

Responding to COVID-19 has driven an enormous increase in public sector spending. Integrity and transparency in the public sector are essential to the social contract between governments and their citizens. IFAC calls on the G20 to step up its efforts to deliver on the G20 Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Action Plans, and to adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards and accrual accounting at all levels of government.

3. Resist Regulatory Fragmentation

Regulatory fragmentation costs the global economy more than $780 billion a year, and the cost is borne disproportionately by small- and medium-sized enterprises. IFAC calls for policymakers to prioritize regulatory cooperation and harmonization so that all enterprises can thrive. We also urge all stakeholders to agree on a global framework for non-financial reporting that incorporates integrated reporting principles.

4. Recommit to Global Collaboration

Global institutions for cooperation and crisis-management—both public and private sector—are more important than ever. Multilateralism in support of building back better for those most in need is the foundation for resilience and a fairer and more prosperous world for all. G20 leadership must commit to working together through global institutions to anticipate and mitigate the global problems of the 21st century.

IFAC’s full call to action for the G20 is available online.

About IFAC
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.