CFO® conference 2026: Message from Jean Bouquot, President, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)

It is my privilege to share a global perspective on behalf of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) for the CFO Conference 2026 hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP).

Business leaders around the world face deepening geopolitical and economic uncertainty, growing cost pressures, rapid technological advancement, and rising expectations around sustainability and transparency. In this context, the theme of this year’s conference, “The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate,” is both timely and compelling. It reflects the urgent need for leaders to think beyond traditional approaches to the thorny challenges and exciting opportunities of our time.

The role of the CFO has evolved to comprise much more than financial stewardship. Today’s finance leaders are strategic partners in the long-term success of a business. They are expected to balance growth with resilience, harness emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—responsibly, and embed strong governance and ethical decision-making into every aspect of corporate strategy. The “new playbook” for CFOs amounts to a blueprint for many key elements of long-term organizational success. The discussion at the CFO Conference 2026 is, therefore, very timely.

At IFAC, we remain firmly committed to supporting the development, adoption, and implementation of high-quality international standards, preparing the accountancy profession for a rapidly changing world, and speaking out as the global voice of the profession. Our mission is advanced through strong collaboration across the IFAC family—of which ICAP is a valued and active member. We are grateful for our deep and longstanding partnership, which dates to IFAC’s founding in 1977.

I applaud ICAP for convening this important platform for dialogue and collaboration. May this event serve as a catalyst for new ideas, meaningful partnerships, and renewed leadership that elevates the role of CFOs in driving sustainable economic progress.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026