The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia have formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance regional development.
The MoU, which encompasses policy advocacy, sustainability, and capacity building, is set to drive public-private dialogue and enhance a business-friendly environment through thought leadership and research.
It presents a unified strategy for collaboration, paving the way for joint efforts that will support ASEAN’s economic integration, human capital development, and sustainability goals.
ASEAN-BAC chair Tan Sri Nazir Razak said: “ASEAN stands at a critical juncture as we strive to accelerate the pace of economic integration in response to the dramatic shift in the external environment.
“Our MoU with ACCA inked today, centres on delivering tangible projects with measurable impact across economic integration, human capital development and sustainability initiatives.”
This partnership establishes a collaborative framework for both organisations to advocate for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, sustainable finance, and green investment throughout the region.
Additionally, the partnership will focus on increasing access to professional qualifications, continuous professional development programmes, and financial literacy training.
The collaboration also aims to facilitate workforce mobility and elevate professional standards across ASEAN by exploring mutual recognition agreements.
ACCA chief executive Helen Brand said: “This partnership reflects ACCA’s longstanding commitment to ASEAN’s economic growth and competitiveness. With 89 years of history in Malaysia, ACCA is proud of our deep-rooted professional connections through our members and institutional collaboration.
“By working alongside ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, we aim to drive a regional agenda that supports business, sustainability, and professional excellence during Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship and beyond.”
As Malaysia prepares for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the ACCA has committed to backing ASEAN-BAC Malaysia’s sustainability and digital transformation initiatives.
Earlier this month, the ACCA released a report highlighting the importance of gender-responsive budgeting for inclusive growth, drawing on insights from accountants and leaders in Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East.
