ADGM Academy Sustainability Reporting and Assurance Workshop

Sustainability reporting is now an established global practice. Regulatory agencies and stock exchanges across the world require companies to disclose information on their sustainability performance (also referred to as ESG disclosures). In line with global trends the United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority, in their latest Governance Guide, requires boards to publish an integrated report containing sustainability disclosures. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is also proposing ESG disclosures to be published by large companies established in ADGM, and a collection of other UAE Regulators have publicly committed to implementing an ESG disclosure framework.

Managers and professionals will need to familiarise themselves with the principles and concepts underlying sustainability reporting. To enhance disclosure credibility reporters are seeking voluntary external/third-party assurance over their sustainability disclosures, giving rise to a new market for assurance services (or sustainability assurance). Advances in information technology (including AI and Big Data Analytics) offer useful tools in preparing and assuring sustainability reports.

The workshop is designed to assist reporting managers, assurance practitioners, and regulators by providing a foundation from which to start their organisations sustainability reporting journey. Assurance practitioners will gain insights into key issues affecting sustainability assurance. Regulators, standard setters, and policy makers will better understand the key challenges reporting entities face when compiling their sustainability reporting. Market practitioners will learn more about the direction of travel of sustainability reporting regulations in the UAE and beyond.