The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have embarked on a collaboration to enhance expertise in sustainability disclosures.  

This partnership, formalised through a Letter of Intent, focuses on capacity-building, with ICAEW offering specialised training on climate-related financial disclosures and sustainability certifications. 

ICAEW recently conducted a workshop at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Capital Markets Forum Chairs Meeting in Penang.  

The workshop addressed key sustainability disclosure requirements, including IFRS S1 and S2 standards, Scope 3 emissions reporting, and the impact of global climate regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. 

According to SC, this collaboration is particularly relevant as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability.  

Equipping regulators with the right expertise is crucial as global ESG standards continue to evolve, it added.  

ICAEW chief executive Alan Vallance said: “Trust, ethics, and sustainability must be at the core of capital markets. Sustainability is not just about compliance—it is a business imperative that drives resilience, innovation, and long-term success. Through this collaboration with the Securities Commission Malaysia, ICAEW reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regulatory expertise in sustainability across ASEAN. 
 
“This collaboration will equip regulators with the tools and insights needed to align with global ESG standards while ensuring that regulation remains supportive, not punitive. By fostering capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable finance innovation, we can work together to build an interconnected, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN capital market.” 

SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said: “Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 presents an opportunity to drive sustainability and financial resilience. Our collaboration with ICAEW ensures we stay ahead of global standards while equipping regulators to support market participants. Together, we can strengthen ASEAN’s capital markets and investor confidence.” 

In a separate development earlier in February 2025, ICAEW partnered with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Internal Auditors Association (IAA) to offer a new qualification pathway in finance and auditing.  

This initiative integrates ICAEW’s Business and Finance Professional qualification with the UAE IAA’s HASAAD programme, supporting the UAE’s National Employment Strategy 2031.