Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to a rule-based international order and collective global action, underscoring the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing shared economic challenges.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of SAFA International Conference titled “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting” in Dhaka, Touhid said Bangladesh, as a responsible neighbour and active member of the United Nations and other international bodies, continues to advocate multilateralism, trust-building and cooperative solutions to global economic issues.

He noted that Bangladesh remains actively engaged with multilateral institutions to promote stability and confidence, adding that the convergence of ethical artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting has become increasingly significant as technological innovation reshapes professions worldwide.

At the same time, global expectations around transparency, accountability and responsible governance are growing, he said.

For Bangladesh, Touhid explained, integrating technology with sustainability is essential to sustaining economic growth and deepening global integration.

He stressed that professionals must be not only technically skilled but also ethically grounded and socially responsible.

The foreign adviser said platforms such as the SAFA conference play a vital role in knowledge-sharing, exchanging best practices and strengthening regional and international collaboration.

He welcomed the participation of experts and thought leaders from South Asia and beyond, expressing hope that their discussions would help guide the next generation of professionals by balancing innovation with integrity and accountability.

Experts at the conference observed that the global accounting profession is entering a transformative phase as ethical AI and sustainability reporting increasingly converge, reshaping business risk management, investor expectations and public trust.

Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), the conference brought together delegates from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and featured three technical sessions followed by a valedictory session.

Bangladesh Competition Commission Chairperson A H M Ahsan and Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan attended as special guests.

Ahsan highlighted that while AI-driven systems can enhance efficiency and compliance, they also pose risks such as algorithmic collusion, lack of transparency and exclusionary practices if not guided by strong ethical safeguards.

For the first time in Dhaka, ICAB hosted International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) President Jean Bouquot and Ashfaq Yousuf Tola, Adviser to the South Asian Federation of Accountants, as guests of honour.

Bouquot said greater transparency in financial disclosures, combined with AI adoption, could enable professionals to deliver services more efficiently, emphasising the global importance of ethical AI and sustainability reporting.

ICAB President NKA Mobin delivered the welcome address, while Past President of ICAB and Conference Organising Committee Chairman Muhammed Farhad Hussain also spoke.

The keynote address was delivered by Adeeb Hossain Khan, Past President of ICAB and Senior Partner at Rahman Rahman Huq, Chartered Accountants.

Khan said the use of AI in sustainability reporting is no longer a distant idea but a structural shift already shaping how economic value is created, measured and disclosed.

He urged professionals, regulators and standard-setters to work collaboratively to ensure AI-enabled sustainability reporting remains transparent, explainable and aligned with global standards and investor confidence.