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IPSASB, IFAC & Accountancy Europe Host Interactive Discussion + Reception on Public Sector Sustainability Reporting

Event will be held in person April 4 from 4-6pm with reception to follow in Brussels, Belgium

Feb 23, 2023 | New York, New York | English

Progressing sustainable development goals, including those related to climate change, requires urgent public sector action. Yet, as of now, no internationally recognized public sector reporting framework exists to help governments to measure and report on their critical contributions to addressing the global climate emergency and other sustainability challenges. With its public sector standard setting expertise and support of the international community, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is exploring how it might change that.  

IPSASB, IFAC and Accountancy Europe will host an interactive discussion around key ideas the IPSASB is exploring related to the development of sustainability standards and the resources necessary to deliver the urgently needed public sector reporting guidance. 

Equipping the Public Sector for Sustainability Action: Advancing transparency, comparability, and accountability with sustainability reporting will be held in Brussels, Belgium on April 4, 2023, from 4:00pm-6:00pm followed by a networking reception until 7:00pm.  

“The urgency of advancing public sector sustainability reporting cannot be overstated,” said Ian Carruthers, IPSASB Chair. “While the IPSASB is pleased to be playing a leading role in developing the thinking on this initiative, the involvement of the global community will also be crucial to equipping the public sector with the tools it needs to address climate change and other sustainability challenges.”  

“Public sector specific sustainability reporting standards will undoubtedly strengthen the global response to the climate crisis,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “IFAC applauds the IPSASB's lead on addressing this gap and encourages all of our stakeholders to get involved however they can.”  

“The public sector is essential to the economy in European countries: the necessary transition will not happen without it”, said Olivier Boutellis-Taft, Accountancy Europe’s CEO. “Proper sustainability reporting is a minimum and long-awaited first step. We applaud the IPSASB’s leadership and look forward to this discussion.” 

The event will feature:  

  • Ian Carruthers, Chair, IPSASB  
  • Olivier Boutellis-Taft, CEO, Accountancy Europe  
  • Andrew Blazey, Deputy Head of Division and Lead, Green Budgeting, OECD 
  • Maria-Rosa Aldea Busquets, Deputy Director General, DG Budget, European Commission 
  • Laura Leka, Principal, IFAC
  • Alex Metcalfe, Global Head of Public Sector, ACCA 
  • Vivi Niemenmaa, Secretary General - INTOSAI WGEA / National Audit Office of Finland 
  • Lebogang Senne, Technical Director, Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA)  
  • Ross Smith, Program and Technical Director, IPSASB  
  • Eelco van der Enden, CEO, GRI  
  • Additional participants TBA 

The in-person interactive discussion will be followed by a networking reception. The event is free to attend and will be held in English. View the agenda and register now.  

About IPSASB 
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org. 

About IFAC 
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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. 

About Accountancy Europe 
Accountancy Europe unites 50 professional organisations from 35 countries that represent 1 million professional accountants, auditors, and advisors. They make numbers work for people. Accountancy Europe translates their daily experience to inform the public policy debate in Europe and beyond. Accountancy Europe is in the EU Transparency Register (No 4713568401-18).