The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), represented by the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR), in cooperation with Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA), has organized an exploratory meeting of the group with representatives of Gulf and Arab countries. In this meeting, a number of Arab professional bodies' heads participated.
The meeting was held to discuss how to provide the necessary support to Arab countries and form a regional partnership that aims at promoting high-quality sustainability reports in the region, exchanging views and evaluating the feasibility of forming such a partnership. Furthermore, the main objectives of the meeting were to scope out preparatory work needed; to establish a timeline for launching a Regional Partnership; and to identify ways and means to reach out to more countries and more institutions for subsequent meetings. Dr. Ahmed Al-Maghamis, CEO of SOCPA touched upon, during the meeting, the benefits of a regional approach to promotion of sustainability reporting.
SOCPA participation in organizing this meeting comes as part of its endeavors to enhance international communication, and to communicate the Kingdom efforts in advancing the accounting and auditing profession and transferring experiences and expertise to the international accounting community.