London, 11 March – The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia (ASEAN-BAC Malaysia) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in key areas, including policy advocacy, sustainability, and capacity building.
The partnership will promote a business-friendly environment by driving thought leadership, research, and policy insights to enhance public-private dialogue. During Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, ACCA will support ASEAN-BAC Malaysia’s initiatives, focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, investment mobilisation, inclusivity at the workplace and talent development.
The MoU outlines a shared vision for cooperation, setting the stage for joint initiatives that will contribute to ASEAN’s economic integration, human capital development, and the promotion of sustainability in the region.
Helen Brand, ACCA Chief Executive, said: “This partnership reflects ACCA’s long-standing commitment to ASEAN’s economic growth and competitiveness. With 89 years of history in Malaysia, ACCA is proud of our deep-rooted professional connections through our members and institutional collaboration. By working alongside ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, we aim to drive a regional agenda that supports business, sustainability, and professional excellence during Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship and beyond.”
With sustainability a key priority for ASEAN’s future, the MoU establishes a framework for both organisations to champion ESG integration, sustainable finance, and green investment across the region.
ACCA and ASEAN-BAC Malaysia will also work together to expand access to professional qualifications, continuous professional development (CPD) programmes, and financial literacy training. The partnership will also explore initiatives such as skills passporting and mutual recognition agreements to facilitate workforce mobility and enhance professional standards across ASEAN.
ASEAN-BAC Chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak added, "ASEAN stands at a critical juncture as we strive to accelerate the pace of economic integration in response to the dramatic shift in the external environment. Our MoU with ACCA inked today, centres on delivering tangible projects with measurable impact across economic integration, human capital development and sustainability initiatives.”
/ends
For media enquiries, contact:
ACCA News Room
E: newsroom@accaglobal.com
accaglobal.com
About ACCA
We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.
Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we’ve long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members in 180 countries.
Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.
Guided by our purpose and values, our ambition is to lead the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all. Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com
About ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
Established by the ASEAN Leaders at the 7th ASEAN Summit in November 2001 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam and launched in 2003, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) is the apex private sector body mandated to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration and further identify priority areas for consideration of ASEAN leaders. The ASEAN-BAC will lead in coordinating inputs from established business councils and entities in their interactions with various ASEAN sectoral groups.
The ASEAN-BAC Malaysia chapter is an integral member in the regional ASEAN-BAC with regular participation at all Council Meetings and Consultation with ASEAN Leaders. Since 2003, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia has provided policy input at various consultations with the ASEAN Leaders, ASEAN Economic Ministers and ASEAN Sectoral bodies. Notably, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia was the Chair in 2015 when Malaysia announced the formation of the ASEAN Community. ASEAN-BAC Malaysia is represented by Chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak alongside council members Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Mr. Lim Chern Yuan.
As Malaysia assumes the role as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia is proud to take the lead in all private sector policy initiatives and programmes, supporting Malaysia’s Chairmanship vision and Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs). In realising the vision, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia has rolled out 12 policy initiatives and identified over 60 programmes, to be implemented throughout the year. All aimed at advocating and pushing for the deepening of ASEAN economic integration, and the promotion of increased cross-border business cooperation.
