Bangladesh Backs Rules-Based Global Economic Cooperation

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference in the city.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to a rules-based international order and collective global action, underscoring dialogue and cooperation as key to addressing shared economic challenges.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference titled “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting” in the city, he said Bangladesh consistently advocates multilateral engagement to promote stability, trust and cooperative solutions.

“As a responsible neighbour and an active member of the United Nations and other international bodies, Bangladesh supports a rules-based international order and collective action in tackling global economic challenges,” he said, stressing the importance of dialogue, confidence-building and collaboration.

Touhid said the growing convergence of ethical artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting has become increasingly relevant as technological innovation reshapes professions worldwide, alongside rising global demand for transparency, accountability and responsible governance.

He noted that for Bangladesh, integrating technology with sustainability is vital to sustaining economic growth and strengthening global integration. Professionals, he said, must remain not only technically skilled but also ethically grounded and socially responsible.

The adviser added that platforms such as the SAFA conference play a crucial role in knowledge exchange, sharing best practices and fostering regional and global collaboration. He expressed optimism that discussions among experts and practitioners would help guide the next generation of professionals by balancing integrity, accountability and innovation.

Experts at the conference said the global accounting profession is entering a new phase as ethical AI and sustainability reporting converge, reshaping business risks, investor expectations and public trust.

The conference, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, brought together delegates from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It featured three technical sessions and a concluding valedictory session.

Bangladesh Competition Commission Chairperson A H M Ahsan and Financial Reporting Council 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 opacity and exclusion without strong ethical safeguards.

The event also hosted senior international and regional accounting leaders, who emphasised that combining greater transparency in financial disclosure with responsible AI adoption can significantly enhance professional services worldwide.