Good evening, ladies and gentleman.
I'm very happy to be here with you all this evening. I am sure you will join me in thanking our hosts, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), for the wonderful dinner this evening. I would like also to thank Allen Blewitt, ACCA's Chief Executive, for the invitation to speak with you this evening.
As indicated in its "European Manifesto," the ACCA shares IFAC's focus on education and training, financial reporting, auditing, small business issues and corporate governance. The manifesto makes an important point that I would like to reiterate: "Forming partnerships is key to shaping the EU's future agenda." In addressing so central an issue as regulation of the profession, I believe that it is vital for IFAC, its 155 member bodies worldwide, and regional organizations like FEE, to work in partnership to shape the agenda. As in so many other matters, collaboration in relation to regulation is essential.