The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and Ordre National des Experts Comptables (ONEC) Algeria, open IFAC Connect Africa 2026 tomorrow, a high-level gathering of leaders from across Africa and the global accountancy profession focused on advancing trust, accountability, and strong institutions.
IFAC Connect Africa will bring together representatives of professional accountancy organizations, regulators, standard setters, international organizations, government institutions, and business leaders to explore the profession's role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing Africa and the world under the theme Trust, Accountability, and Strong Institutions: Africa and the Global Profession.
"Strong institutions are fundamental to sustainable economic development, public trust, and resilient societies," said Lee White, Chief Executive Officer of IFAC. "Across Africa, professional accountancy organizations, regulators, standard setters, and regional institutions are advancing important work to strengthen accountability and transparency. By convening these voices, IFAC Connect creates opportunities to learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress on issues that matter to the profession, policymakers, and the public."
Bridging perspectives on the role of strong institutions in supporting sustainable growth and public confidence, the event will open with remarks from IFAC President Jean Bouquot, PAFA President Walid Ben Salah, and Pr. Mayatta Ndiaye MBAYE, Permanent Secretary of Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), alongside senior representatives from the Government of Algeria. The program will also feature speakers and experts from the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, the IFRS Foundation, the Public Interest Oversight Board, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the African Development Bank, and professional accountancy organizations from across Africa.
The International Federation of Francophone Accountants (Federation Internationale des Experts-Comptables Francophone, or FIDEF) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) will participate, reflecting the depth of collaboration across the accountancy profession and regional institutions.
IFAC, PAFA, FIDEF, and OHADA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening coordination, cooperation, and knowledge sharing in support of high-quality financial reporting, auditing, professional standards, and capacity development across Africa and the Francophone world.
“IFAC Connect Africa reflects the growing influence and leadership of the African profession in shaping global conversations on accountability, governance, reporting, and trust," said Walid Ben Salah, President of PAFA. "By bringing together diverse voices from across the continent and beyond, we can identify practical actions that strengthen institutions and support sustainable development."
"Africa has an important role to play in shaping the future of the global accountancy profession," said Abdelkrim Bouhouche, President of ONEC Algeria. "By hosting IFAC Connect Africa, we are creating a platform for meaningful dialogue on trust, accountability, and institutional strength while showcasing the expertise, innovation, and leadership that exist across the continent. We are proud to welcome participants from Africa and around the world to Algeria for these important discussions."
IFAC Connect Africa 2026 will conclude with a collaborative discussion on priorities for the profession over the next three to five years and opportunities for continued partnership between IFAC, PAFA, and African institutions.
About IFAC
IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.
About PAFA
The Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) is the continental body for the accountancy profession in Africa and an IFAC Network Partner – Regional Organization. Representing 57 professional accountancy organizations in 47 African countries, PAFA works to strengthen the capacity and influence of the accountancy profession in Africa to enhance trade, the quality of services, and trust in institutions.
About ONEC Algeria
The Ordre National des Experts Comptables (ONEC) is the professional accountancy organization representing chartered accountants in Algeria. ONEC promotes high professional standards, ethical conduct, and the advancement of the accountancy profession in support of the public interest.
IPSASB CAG Members in Washington, D.C. hosted by the IMF in June 2026.
The Consultative Advisory Group (CAG) of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) re-elected Ms. Fabienne Colignon as its chair for the next three years. The CAG advises the IPSASB on strategic matters, technical topics, and implementation issues, as well as other relevant matters to the public interest.
The CAG is composed of 25 representatives of public sector organizations and individuals, bringing broad perspectives from public sector stakeholders, that are interested in, or affected by, the IPSASB’s work, including those engaged in the preparation, audit, or evaluation of public sector financial reports. As CAG chair, Ms. Colignon helps ensure the CAG's diverse expertise and perspectives are leveraged to support the IPSASB's decision-making and strategic direction.
Ms. Colignon was first elected CAG Chair in 2023 and has been both an active member of the CAG and observer of the IPSASB since 2016. Ms. Colignon has extensive expertise in public sector accounting and reporting through her role with the French Public Sector Accounting Standard-Setter, Conseil de Normalisation des Comptes Publics (the CNoCP), a council body within the Ministry of Finance, and her prior experience as a Practice Fellow with the IFRS Interpretations Committee.
“I am honored to continue serving as chair of the IPSASB Consultative Advisory Group,” said Ms. Colignon. “One of the CAG’s greatest strengths is the breadth of experience and perspectives its members bring from across the global public sector community. Those insights help shape the IPSASB’s priorities and ensure its standards and activities remain responsive to the needs of stakeholders and the public interest. I look forward to continuing to work alongside CAG members, the IPSASB, and stakeholders around the world to advance high-quality public sector financial and sustainability reporting and the transparency, accountability, and better decision-making that reporting makes possible.”
“We are fortunate to have Fabienne Colignon continue her leadership of the IPSASB CAG for another three years,” said IPSASB Chair Thomas Müller-Marqués Berger. “The CAG is critical in ensuring the IPSASB benefits from the grounded perspectives, practical experience, and strategic insights that only its diverse membership can provide. CAG advice helps us stay responsive to emerging issues and focused on solving real-life accounting and reporting issues. Fabienne has been instrumental in fostering meaningful dialogue and engagement between the CAG and IPSASB, and I look forward to our continuing our close collaboration.”
About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB®) works to improve public sector financial reporting worldwide through the development of IPSAS® Accounting Standards, IPSASB SRS™ Standards, and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS Standards and IPSASB SRS Standards and promotes the adoption and implementation of these to enhance the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world and strengthen the transparency and accountability of public sector finances and sustainable development. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, the government of Canada, and The World Bank. 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 the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.
Strengthening PAOs Through Early-Career Professional Engagement
Early-career professionals are the future of the accounting profession. Yet too many feel disconnected from the very organizations that should be championing their development. For professional accountancy organizations (PAOs), this is not just a missed opportunity. It is a strategic risk to the leadership, relevance, and member commitment they depend on.
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today opens IFAC Connect LATAM 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina bringing together regulators, standard setters, investors, business leaders, and professional accountancy organizations from across the globe and Latin America to strengthen trust, transparency, and resilience in the region’s economic and reporting ecosystem.
Amid geopolitical fragmentation, IFAC convenes these leaders to collaborate across jurisdictions and sectors to strengthen the profession, advance high-quality global standards, respond to risks and opportunities in emerging areas like AI, and drive long-term economic growth through local action.
The two-day event is held in collaboration with the Asociación Interamericana de Contabilidad (AIC) and IFAC member Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE).
Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said:
“For an international organization like us, global impact depends on the strength, insights, and leadership of our regions. IFAC Connect LATAM is an important opportunity to listen closely to our members and stakeholders, understand the priorities shaping the profession across Latin America, and work together to mobilize the accountancy profession in support of trust, transparency, and sustainable economic growth. By connecting regional perspectives with global priorities, we can ensure the profession remains relevant, responsive, and united in serving the public interest.”
A major focus of the event is strengthening Latin America’s voice, coordination, and influence within the global reporting ecosystem.
Silvia Giordano, IFAC Board Member, said:
“Latin America is navigating significant economic and institutional transformation, and the accountancy profession plays a critical role in supporting integrity, governance, and long-term resilience during this period of change. I am especially proud that Argentina is hosting IFAC Connect LATAM in Buenos Aires, bringing together regional and global leaders to strengthen cooperation and advance solutions that serve the public interest.”
Jose Simonella, FACPCE President, said:
“By bringing together leaders from across the region and the international community, IFAC Connect strengthens dialogue, cooperation, and the profession’s ability to support resilient economies, trusted institutions, and sustainable growth.”
Nelson Hahn, AIC President, said:
“This gathering reflects the strength of regional collaboration and the profession’s shared commitment to advancing high-quality standards and professional excellence across Latin America. Through continued cooperation among jurisdictions and institutions, the profession is helping build stronger economies, more transparent organizations, and greater public trust.”
IFAC Connect LATAM 2026 is part of the ongoing IFAC Connect series launched in 2024, which brings together global and regional leaders to address the most pressing issues shaping the future of the profession in the public interest. The next IFAC Connect will be held in Algiers, Algeria in June.
About IFAC
IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.
About AIC
The Inter-American Accounting Association (AIC) is a non-profit civil organization, established in 1949 with the primary objective of uniting accountants throughout the Americas, undertaking the commitment to represent them within the hemisphere, and promoting the continuous enhancement of their professional quality, knowledge, and social responsibilities.
About FACPCE
The Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE) represents Argentina’s provincial professional councils in economic sciences and supports the development of the accountancy profession through professional excellence, ethical conduct, high-quality standards, and contributions to transparent and sustainable economic development.
