The global accountancy profession, through the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), is urging G20 leaders to focus on sustainability, transparency, and governance as the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches.

A new publication, G20 Call to Action 2024: Building a Just World & a Sustainable Planet, underscores the essential role high-quality sustainability information, reporting and assurance play in achieving global sustainability targets. IFAC calls for G20 leadership in fostering a comprehensive ecosystem of sustainability reporting and assurance, grounded in international standards and supported by strong corporate governance practices.

A Focus on Sustainability and Governance

The Brazilian G20 Presidency highlights the importance of sustainability across climate, environmental, and governance dimensions—and the profession’s Call to Action aligns with this focus. It urges G20 leaders to adopt the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s recently approved International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountant’s forthcoming ethics and independence standards for sustainability reporting and assurance.

“As the 2030 deadline rapidly approaches, balancing environmental and societal priorities has never been more urgent,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Lee White. “Professional accountants, with their unique skills, experience, and public interest mandate, are driving the creation of a sustainable future. We’ve already seen policymakers, businesses, and society aligning with us to pursue these common goals, and we welcome the expansion of these crucial partnerships.”

Key Recommendations for G20 Policymakers

• Promote Trust Through High-Quality Information: Advocate for a global framework built on IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and ISSA 5000 for assurance.
• Enhance Public Sector Transparency: Support the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) in developing global public sector sustainability standards.
• Strengthen Public Financial Management: Encourage governments to adopt accrual accounting and professionalize public finance to boost transparency.
• Support SMEs in Sustainable Development: Ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to the tools and resources needed to contribute to sustainability efforts.

Accountancy Profession Taking Action

In parallel with these recommendations, the global accountancy profession is taking concrete steps to support sustainability and governance objectives, including advancing the adoption of sustainability reporting standards, enhanced corporate governance, and improved transparency across sectors. Professional accountants and firms are also preparing for the adoption of ISSA 5000, ensuring they meet evolving sustainability reporting needs.

In the public sector, IFAC is working with governments to implement accrual accounting and strengthen public financial management, enhancing accountability at all levels of government.

United for Global Progress: A Shared Responsibility for Sustainability

IFAC’s publication underscores that a just and sustainable planet is within reach, but only through collective action. “G20 policymakers must maintain their important momentum and seize this moment,” said Lee White. “The global accountancy profession is already moving forward, playing key roles in achieving the SDGs. We welcome the G20’s continued and increasing involvement. By adopting these recommendations and collaborating closely with the accountancy profession, we can build a sustainable future that leaves no one behind.”

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.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and its Chief Executive Officer Lee White congratulate Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, on today’s announcement that Mr. Koziel has been named to succeed Barry Melancon, in January 2025, as Chief Executive Officer of the AICPA & CIMA.

Mr. White said: “I offer my personal congratulations to Mark on this significant appointment. Having had the opportunity to collaborate with Mark at many points in our respective careers, I very much look forward to continuing our work together, and to helping to ensure that the accountancy profession is truly global. 

“Mark’s creative and strategic leadership will be a strength of foundation to continue the constructive relationship that AICPA & CIMA and IFAC share. Together, and indeed with other members of our profession, we will continue to use our collective voice, connected learnings and commitment to the public interest to ensure a strong and vibrant profession.”

AICPA & CIMA, a champion of integrity and professional quality, is a longstanding and valued IFAC member, thanks in large part to the leadership of CEO Barry Melancon, who previously announced his intention to retire at the end of 2024.   

Mr. White continued, “I also wish to recognize Barry Melancon, and his truly incredible contributions to our profession. Barry’s commitment and vision have been unparalleled, and we wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.”

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.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) has published its 2024-2028 Strategy and Work Program. The 2024-2028 Strategy builds on the strong foundation of the successful implementation of the 2019-2023 Strategy and Work Program.

IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers said: “The hard work during the 2019-2023 Strategic period to close gaps in the suite of IPSAS has allowed the IPSASB to shift resources towards ensuring the consistent application of IPSAS in the 2024-2028 Strategic period. Thank you to all our stakeholders who either responded to the consultation or participated at our regional roundtables that supported the proposals to add an application panel and post-implementation review process to help address the different resource capacities of stakeholders at various levels of accrual adoption and application of PFM.

We’ve now also made the landmark change for the public sector of adding sustainability reporting standards to the high-quality global standards we deliver.”

The IPSASB’s Strategic Objective for 2024-2028, strengthening Public Financial Management and sustainable development globally through increasing adoption and implementation of accrual IPSAS and international public sector sustainability reporting standards, will be achieved through the following activities:

How to Access
Access the IPSASB’s 2024-2028 Strategy and Work Program. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of the IPSASB’s 2024-2028 Strategy and Work Program to their members and employees.

About the 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, 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.

The IPSASB's 2024-2028 Strategy and Work Program builds upon the success of the previous strategy and rebalances the work program towards the maintenance of IPSAS and sustainability reporting. The IPSASB’s Strategic Objective for 2024-2028 is Strengthening Public Financial Management and sustainable development globally through increasing adoption and implementation of accrual IPSAS and international public sector sustainability reporting standards.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®), developer of IPSAS®, international accrual-based accounting standards for use by governments and other public sector entities around the world, has today issued Concessionary Leases and Other Arrangements Conveying Rights over Assets (Amendments to IPSAS 43, IPSAS 47, and IPSAS 48). 

The new guidance addresses public sector issues specific to concessionary leases (i.e. leases at below-market terms) and other arrangements conveying rights over assets that are not leases that are prevalent in the public sector. It reflects feedback from constituents to the Request for Information, Concessionary Leases and Other Arrangements Similar to Leases, and build on the principles in IPSAS 43, Leases, IPSAS 47, Revenue, and IPSAS 48, Transfer Expenses, and thus complements those Standards.

“Concessionary Leases and Other Arrangements Conveying Rights over Assets will enhance accountability and decision-making in the public sector by providing new guidance to make the financial reporting of these specific arrangements more consistent and transparent,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “This final pronouncement completes the Leases project and equips public sector entities with a complete set of guidance to address their broad-ranging needs.”

The amendments to IPSAS 43 and IPSAS 47 have an effective date of January 1, 2027. Earlier application is permitted. Access the Standard.

About the 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^TM (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, 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.