The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) held a National Conference on ESG, Climate Reporting and Sustainable Finance on Friday, October 2, 2026 (16 Ashoj 2083 BS). The event took place at Hotel Yak & Yeti on Durbar Marg, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ICAN organized it with the World Bank's Nepal office.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. The term covers how companies deal with the environment, society and the way they are run.
ICAN is the statutory professional body for accountants in Nepal, set up under The Nepal Chartered Accountants Act, 1997. In its notice, issued on September 17, 2026, the institute said it wanted to strengthen the professional understanding and practical readiness of chartered accountants and other stakeholders. It said the ESG and sustainability field is changing fast.
The institute also said it aimed to raise awareness of ESG, sustainability reporting, climate-related reporting, carbon markets and governance disclosures. The event was meant for chartered accountants and other groups, including corporate participants, professionals, regulators and people working in the financial sector.
The agenda
The program looked at the part professionals play in making sustainability information better, more believable and more open. It also covered how such information helps people make informed decisions and supports sound governance and sustainable economic growth.
A key part of the day was a session led by Dr. Divaldo Rezende. ICAN describes him as an internationally recognized expert in climate change, carbon markets, carbon sequestration and sustainable development, with over 40 years of professional experience. He has given consulting or advisory services to the World Bank, UNDP and the Inter-American Development Bank, among others.
Participants earned 10 CPE credit hours, which count toward the ongoing training that accountants must complete. The fee was NPR 5,500 for individuals and NPR 7,000 for corporate participants. Both amounts were before VAT. The registration deadline was September 30, 2026 (14 Ashoj 2083 BS).
ICAN's event page also pointed to Nepal's recent policy steps. In October 2024, Nepal Rastra Bank issued the Nepal Green Finance Taxonomy. It gives the financial sector guidelines to identify and promote investments that meet ESG requirements.
