In 2023, ISAR Honours received a total of 70 applications, showcasing remarkable growth as it has more than doubled in size since its first pilot edition in 2018.
By increasing awareness and spreading international best practices, ISAR Honours intends to draw attention to the efforts made by organizations of all sizes around the world to promote and harmonize sustainability and SDG reporting.
The increasing interest towards ISAR Honours proves organizations’ commitment and efforts on enhancing the quality and comparability of companies’ reporting on their contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its usefulness for monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Results
UNCTAD announced recipients of the ISAR Honours 2023 at the 8th World Investment Forum on 17 October 2023 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. From the policy, institutional or capacity-building initiatives received this year the Review Committee has selected the top three national and international honourees. Additionally, three special nominations in the national category and three in the international category were proposed by UNCTAD.
The number of applications from developing countries has increased significantly. In the international category, ISAR Honours accepted 25 diversified initiatives that include training, institutional developments, awards programs, cooperation between existing initiatives as well as harmonization of practices, and alignments of reporting requirements and tools. Nominations were submitted by private and public organizations of all sizes, and with balanced representation of developed, developing, and countries with economies in transition.
“I am pleased to hear about the latest developments in sustainability reporting that incentivize and encourage entities to take action towards transparency in the ESG disclosures across the world, including developing countries. These initiatives align and complement the work of the UNCTAD-ISAR, enabling us to make a significant progress towards implementing a more harmonized sustainability reporting global framework that will facilitate attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNCTAD will continue supporting the fund industry and the accounting and reporting sector to embed sustainability in investments, improve disclosure and transparency, and tap into sustainable investment opportunities in developing economies through exchanges of best practices […].”
Rebeca Grynspan
Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Honourees
National category
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
For its initiative: “Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB)”
Nairobi Securities Exchange
For the initiative “Publication of ESG Disclosure Guidance Manual”
Alianza Empresarial para el Desarrollo
For the initiative “Sustainable Business Strategy and Governance”
International category
Global Reporting Initiative
For the initiative “Business Leadership Forum on Corporate Reporting as a Driver to Achieving the SDGs”
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group
For the initiative “Reporting of non-financial risks and opportunities and the linkage to the business model”
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
For the initiative “Integrated Planning and Reporting Toolkit”
Special Nomination
National Category
Family Enterprise Canada
For its initiative “Family Business for Sustainable Development”
Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe
For its initiative “Excellence in Corporate Governance Awards with Section B on Stakeholder Practices and Sustainability Reporting”
Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards Limited
For its initiative “Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards”
International category
Association of Eurasian Institutes of Certified Public Accountants
For its initiative “Eurasian Regional Initiative for the Development of Educational and Certification Programs in Sustainability Accounting and Reporting (ERIEC)”
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark
For its initiative “GRESB Assessments & Benchmarks”
The Good Governance Academy
For its initiative “The ESG Exchange”
