The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute a fitting framework which calls for attention towards the challenges leading to a sustainable future. Globally, there is a greater realisation that private sector mobilisation and engagement with various stakeholders, such as multi-lateral organizations, civil society organizations is important for much needed transformative changes pertaining to the global goals. With the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into organization’s practices and reporting, entities across the globe would be able to deal with the world’s most pressing issues in a better way and encourage transparency and accountability. This is the time to move beyond the current trend of simply mapping organizational activities and programs against the SDGs and take sustainability reporting to the next level. Climate change is the most important challenge the world is facing today and entities have a moral and environmental duty to lead by example as economic prosperity depends on a thriving planet.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the second largest accounting body in the world, in its endeavour to benchmark global best practices vis-a-vis sustainability disclosures has decided to organize ICAI International Sustainability Reporting Awards for the year 2020-21. The ICAI International Sustainability Reporting Awards would recognize and award entities for their outstanding contribution to Sustainable Development Goals which have led in initiatives undertaken towards Gender Equality and Climate Change and have implemented efficient and innovative sustainable practices. The SDGs Awards on Climate Action and Gender Equality focusing on specific themes is an international sustainability initiative designed to increase the engagement of all sectors with the SDGs framework. This esteemed platform would encourage excellence in the quality of sustainability reporting by the entities, both corporates as well as non-corporates, for profit as well as not for profit, to investors and other stakeholders and would help in sharing leading practices. The awards will be a great platform for entities across the Globe to showcase initiatives taken and innovative practices adopted towards attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We extend a formal invitation and urge all the entities for active involvement in this crucial journey of global importance.

Looking forward for greater participation in ICAI International Sustainability Reporting Awards 2020-21.