ICAB to host SAFA Int'l Conference 2026 in Dhaka

The conference, titled “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting,” will bring together a large number of foreign and local delegates, including the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global apex body of the accountancy profession.

To brief the media on the objectives and significance of the event, ICAB organised a press briefing at CA Bhaban in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, on Tuesday.

ICAB President NKA Mobin delivered the opening remarks, while 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 spoke on the occasion. ICAB Council Members Zareen Mahmud Hosein and Amran Hossan were also present, according to a press release.

The conference is expected to draw more than 500 professionals, regulators, academics and thought leaders from Bangladesh, South Asia and the global arena.

Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will inaugurate the conference 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 attend as Special Guests.

Jean Bouquot, President of IFAC, who will attend as Guest of Honour—marking his first visit to Dhaka on an invitation from ICAB.

 It was also announced that during the conference, the SAFA leadership baton will be formally handed over to Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Past President of ICAB, who has assumed office as President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for 2026.

Meanwhile, Mahbub Ahmed Siddique, Chief Operating Officer of ICAB, will take over as SAFA Executive Secretary.

The conference will bring together regulators, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics and accounting practitioners from SAARC countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan, said 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, reports UNB.