Dhaka: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) will host the SAFA International Conference 2026 in Dhaka on Saturday. The conference, titled ‘Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting,’ is set to attract a significant number of both international and local delegates, including the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global apex body of the accountancy profession.
According to United News of Bangladesh, ICAB held a press briefing at CA Bhaban in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, on Wednesday to inform the media about the event’s objectives and significance. ICAB President NKA Mobin delivered the opening remarks, while other key speakers included Muhammed Farhad Hussain, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the SAFA International Conference, ICAB Vice President Md Rokonuzzaman, ICAB CEO Shubhashish Bose, and Chief Operating Officer Mahbub Ahmed Siddique. ICAB Council Members Zareen Mahmud Hosein and Amran Hossan were also present, as mentioned in a press release.
The conference is anticipated to draw over 500 professionals, regulators, academics, and thought leaders from Bangladesh, South Asia, and beyond. Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will inaugurate the event as the Chief Guest. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur and Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance, will serve as Special Guests. Jean Bouquot, President of IFAC, will attend as the Guest of Honour, marking his first visit to Dhaka upon invitation from ICAB.
Additionally, it was announced that during the conference, the SAFA leadership baton will be formally passed to Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Past President of ICAB, who has taken office as President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for 2026. Mahbub Ahmed Siddique, Chief Operating Officer of ICAB, will assume the role of SAFA Executive Secretary.
The conference will convene regulators, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics, and accounting practitioners from SAARC countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Afghanistan, as noted in a press release. In the valedictory session, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun will attend as Chief Guest, while Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and Financial Reporting Council Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan will join as Special Guests.