ICAB to host SAFA international conference 2026 in Dhaka
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh is set to host the SAFA International Conference 2026, a major regional event that will bring together national and global leaders of the accounting profession.
The conference, titled "Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting", will be held on 17 January 2026 at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka. More than 500 professionals, regulators, academics, and thought leaders from Bangladesh, South Asia, and beyond are expected to attend.
ICAB formally shared details of the conference at a press briefing organised at CA Bhaban in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
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ICAB President NKA Mobin FCA delivered the opening remarks at the briefing. Muhammed Farhad Hussain FCA, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the SAFA International Conference; ICAB Vice-President Md Rokonuzzaman FCA; Chief Executive Officer Shubhashish Bose; and Chief Operating Officer Mahbub Ahmed Siddique FCA also spoke on the occasion. ICAB Council Members Zareen Mahmud Hosein FCA and Amran Hossan FCA were present.
The conference will be inaugurated by Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, as the chief guest. Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance, will attend as special guests.
For the first time in Dhaka, the event will feature Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants, as guest of honour. His presence underscores the global relevance of the conference and its focus on shaping the future of the accounting profession through ethical artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting.
Speakers at the briefing emphasised that the future of accountancy lies in the strategic integration of ethical AI and sustainability reporting. They noted that technology is no longer merely supporting development but is actively shaping Bangladesh's economic trajectory and professional landscape. The next-generation accountant must, therefore, develop dual competencies in governing algorithmic ethics and validating non-financial impact to build stakeholder trust and guide sustainable capital allocation.
The conference aligns with the government's vision of building a New Bangladesh by promoting ethical innovation, transparency, and accountability across sectors. Digitalisation, including mobile financial services and digital payments, has already expanded financial inclusion and economic participation, further highlighting the importance of responsible technological adoption.
Three technical sessions will be held during the conference. The first will focus on "The Professional Landscape: Reshaped by Ethics and Technology", examining the integration of ethical frameworks with emerging technologies in accounting and auditing. The second session, "Beyond Numbers: The Professional Accountant's Evolving Role", will highlight the expanding role of accountants in governance, strategy, and sustainable value creation. The third session, "Framework to Outcome: Sustainability Assurance", will address standards, practices, and challenges in sustainability reporting and assurance.
In the valedictory session, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, will attend as chief guest. Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, and Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, will be present as special guests.
During the event, the leadership of the South Asia Federation of Accountants will be formally handed over. Mohammed Humayun Kabir FCA, Past President of ICAB, will assume office as President of SAFA for 2026, while Mahbub Ahmed Siddique FCA will take up the role of SAFA Executive Secretary.
"The conference aims to strengthen regional and global collaboration while ensuring that the profession not only adapts to technological change but also reinforces public trust," said Muhammed Farhad Hussain FCA, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
The SAFA International Conference 2026 is being organised by an ICAB Council-led organising committee, supported by multiple sub-committees, reflecting the profession's commitment to ethical leadership, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
