UNCTAD, through its Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) supports its member States in their efforts aimed at implementing international standards and best practices of accounting and sustainability reporting to promote harmonization and facilitate financial stability, investment, and social and economic progress. 

With the proliferation of international standards and requirements on financial and sustainability reporting that characterized the past two decades, UNCTAD has been supporting countries to reinforce their regulations and institutions and create human capacity to be ready to implement international financial and sustainability reporting standards, and to promote long-term institutional investment in sustainable development.

The objective of the consultative meeting is to assess recent developments and identify key emerging issues and best practices for strengthening the regulatory, institutional and human capacity required for high quality sustainability reporting by listed and non-listed companies, including SMEs and institutional investors, and public sector entities. 

The deliberations are intended for developing a common understanding of practical implementation issues and best practices for the promotion of high-quality sustainability reporting and identifying best practices in leveraging sustainable investment for development financing. 

The outcome of the consultations will form the basis for updating the Accounting Development Tool (ADT) developed by ISAR. 

The updated ADT will be applied for assessing the financial and sustainability ecosystem of member States, identifying gaps, and developing an action plan.