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Review of the comparability and relevance of existing indicators on corporate social responsibility.
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Review of the implementation status of corporate governance disclosures and the role of such disclosures in adding sustainable value
During the last few years, corporate transparency and disclosure on issues of corporate governance and corporate responsibility have drawn significant interest from multiple stakeholders. The collapse of major corporations and their negative economic and social impact on various stakeholders have raised public awareness about the need for proper accountability and reporting in the corporate sector. The investing public has lost confidence in corporate governance systems and reporting practices. Legislators in different parts of the world have enacted laws with the view to restoring investor confidence and promoting better corporate transparency and disclosure.
Since its establishment in 1982 by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) at UNCTAD has been actively addressing corporate transparency and disclosure issues. At its twentieth session last year, the Group of Experts reviewed case studies on corporate governance disclosures in selected countries and deliberated on major implementation issues in this area. It also deliberated on current trends in the disclosure of the impact of corporations on society. During its twenty-fist session, which will be taking place in Geneva from 27 to 29 October 2004, the Group of Experts will review the comparability and relevance of existing indicators on corporate social responsibility. It will also review the implementation status of corporate governance disclosures and the role of such disclosures in adding sustainable value. The deliberations will benefit from the participation of experts from all regions of the world. This will allow an examination of the issues from truly global perspectives in a neutral forum.
In addition to the two main topics discussed above, the Group of Experts will also discuss various items under the "other business" segment of its agenda. There will be updates on follow-up work on issues discussed at previous sessions of the Group of Experts. Several international and regional organizations active in the areas of corporate governance and transparency will present updates on their respective activities.
