In November 2006 I was ACCA's Deputy President, and had the great pleasure of representing ACCA at the World Congress of Accountants in Istanbul.
Over 4,500 delegates from around the world attended the Congress, of which ACCA was Diamond Sponsor, including many senior members of the profession, drawn from public practice, commerce and industry, academic life, government and the public sector.
The great success of the Congress was due to a number of factors, including the first class organisation and hospitality of the Turkish accountancy profession and, of course, the spectacular setting of Istanbul itself. But is timely that tribute should also be paid to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) for its role; not only with respect to the success of the Congress, but for its immense contribution to the development of the accountancy profession since its inauguration in October 1977.
This year marks IFAC's 30th anniversary, which it is celebrating with World Accountancy Week in December, and now, as ACCA's President, I am delighted to offer my congratulations to IFAC's President, Fermin del Valle, and to all its officers, members and staff.
Much of IFAC's work is undertaken on a voluntary basis by individual accountants representing professional bodies throughout the world, assisted by expert technical staff drawn from IFAC member bodies. IFAC's highly respected professional secretariat, based in New York, also makes a very significant contribution.
ACCA is wholly supportive of IFAC's endeavours as a co-ordinating voice for the global profession and as a modern and effective standard setter and regulator, encouraging the highest possible standards of professional regulation and performance.
ACCA is an enthusiastic participant in IFAC's affairs and was one of its founding signatories in 1977. Since its inception, many ACCA members and staff have given unstintingly of their time and, on behalf of ACCA, I offer them my sincere thanks. For example, David Leonard, senior partner in Leonard & Co a three-partner accountancy practice in Dublin, was nominated by ACCA for membership of the IFAC Board, a role he has held since 2003.
David was a member of ACCA's Council for 20 years, and ACCA's President, 1997-1998, during which time he worked with IFAC on a wide range of initiatives. Allen Blewitt, ACCA's chief executive, has been technical adviser to David Leonard since 2004. Allen also takes part in IFAC's annual Chief Executive's Planning Process. Allen has been involved in various aspects of the work of IFAC since 1992.
Helen Brand, ACCA's managing director strategy and development, has, since 2000, been technical adviser to IFAC Board member and ACCA member Ndung'u Gathinji, although she has been involved in IFAC's work since 1994. Formerly on the IFAC Strategic Development Task Force, Helen is currently a member of the IFAC SMP Consultative Forum Organising Committee.
ACCA members Laura Ipacs, Japheth Katto, Irene Ng'andwe and Azza Raslan serve on IFAC committees, supported by a range of staff, including Laurie Gillow, Professor Robin Jarvis, Richard Martin, Clare Minchington, Mike Walsh and David York.
ACCA looks forward to continuing to work with IFAC colleagues during this critical time of development and change for accountants, to ensure that the profession's voice is heard and its message understood. On behalf of ACCA, I offer IFAC our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the next 30 years of progress!