A Global Imperative for a Regional Commitment

On 13 March 2025, the IFAC International Federation of Accountants released revised versions of the International Education Standards (IES) 2, 3, 4 and 6. These revisions represent a decisive step in embedding sustainability into the core competencies of future professional accountants.

The FCM - Fédération des Experts Comptables Mediterranéens / Federation of Mediterranean Accountants , representing professional accountancy organisations across the Mediterranean, fully supports this initiative and sees it as an opportunity to align educational practices with global priorities while addressing the unique realities of our region.

Sustainability Embedded in Professional Competence The revised standards deliver a clear message: sustainability is no longer an optional topic — it is a central theme of professional development. Key enhancements introduced by the revisions to IES 2, 3 and 4 include:

• An Integrated Sustainability Approach: Sustainability concepts are now embedded across learning outcomes, enabling aspiring accountants to connect financial and non-financial data in a meaningful way.
• A New Competence Area in Assurance: Reinforcing a solid understanding of assurance principles, with relevance to sustainability and other emerging areas.
• Strengthened Business Literacy: Emphasising the capacity to assess sustainability impacts on business models, value chains, and strategic decision-making.
• Expanded Behavioural Competencies: Including adaptability, ethical decision-making, and collaboration – essential in increasingly complex and multidisciplinary environments.
• Comprehensive Implementation Guidance: Facilitating adoption by national accountancy organisations, universities, and training providers.

These improvements are particularly relevant for jurisdictions in Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, where economic transformation, environmental resilience, and social inclusion are urgent priorities. For example, in Tunisia, the integration of ESG metrics into public reporting frameworks is gaining momentum, while in Greece, climate-related financial disclosures are being adopted by large and mid-sized enterprises alike.

Modernising Assessment: IES 6 and the Principles for Fair and Effective Evaluation The revised IES 6 introduces two new principles — authenticity and integrity — and strengthens the principle of equity, all of which are crucial in ensuring the credibility of professional assessments. The standard provides updated guidance on how assessments should reflect real-world scenarios, be fair and inclusive to all candidates, and safeguard against breaches of exam integrity, especially in hybrid and remote formats.

In countries such as Albania, where digital infrastructure and access to resources may vary significantly between urban and rural areas, the focus on equity and accessibility is particularly timely. The standard's flexibility also allows organisations to tailor assessment formats — including simulations, case studies, or supervised workplace evaluations — to their local context and available resources.

Mediterranean Challenges and Shared Opportunities The Mediterranean region is marked by a unique diversity: varying levels of economic development, differing regulatory environments, and a mixture of mature and emerging accountancy professions. Yet, the challenges of climate adaptation, responsible governance, and inclusive growth are shared.

FCM recognises this diversity as a strength. By promoting the adoption of the revised IESs, the Federation aims to foster a generation of accountants capable of navigating sustainability risks, supporting ethical business practices, and contributing to national and regional development goals.

For example, in Morocco, green finance initiatives are already being integrated into professional development pathways. In Portugal, digital and sustainability reporting skills are being included in national CPD frameworks. These are steps in the right direction — but more systemic alignment is needed.

The Role of FCM: A Regional Enabler and Global Voice FCM stands ready to support its members through the transition to the revised standards, with actions including:

• Coordinating regional training and capacity-building workshops;
• Supporting translation and contextualisation of the IESs into national languages and frameworks;
• Encouraging dialogue between professional bodies, regulators and educational institutions;
• Showcasing best practices and local innovations across member organisations.

As a recognised regional platform, FCM also commits to channelling feedback from its members to IFAC, ensuring that the global standards reflect lived realities and implementation challenges across the Mediterranean.

Conclusion: A Profession Renewed by Purpose The revised IESs affirm a powerful truth: the accountancy profession must evolve to remain relevant and trusted. Integrating sustainability and modernising assessment processes are essential to that evolution. FCM welcomes this transformation and calls on its members — from France to Egypt, from Türkiye to Portugal — to embrace these standards not only as a compliance requirement, but as a blueprint for a renewed, ethical, and future-ready profession.