Get Ahead of the Curve with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
OVERVIEW
The world of finance is transforming. As investors demand greater transparency, markets and financial institutions are calling for consistent standards to guide internationally aligned sustainability disclosure. In response, a growing number of jurisdictions are considering the adoption of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards to ensure global comparability in sustainability-related disclosures.
To support this process, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation published the Inaugural Jurisdictional Guide for the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards (Guide) in May 2024, followed by the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool (Tool) in March 2025. These resources are designed to guide the jurisdictions in implementing ISSB Standards effectively.
To further enhance emerging markets capacity, the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) and IFRS Foundation are co-hosting a webinar series, Get Ahead of the Curve with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, to equip regulators, industry associations, and disclosure standards-setters with the practical knowledge and tools needed to start the ISSB Standards adoption journey.
The series will consist of three monthly webinars held between April and June 2025. Participants who attend all three sessions will receive a certificate of completion from SBFN.
This Webinar Series is part of the ongoing collaboration between SBFN and the IFRS Foundation under the Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at supporting capacity building and awareness of sustainability disclosure standards in the emerging markets.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Webinar 1 – Deep Dive into Jurisdictional Approaches | Register
Tuesday April 15, 2025 | 14:00-15:30 CET | 8:00-9:30 EST
Webinar 2 – Introducing the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, part I | Register
Thursday May 8, 2025 | 14:00-15:30 CET | 8:00-9:30 EST
Webinar 3 – Introducing the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, part II | Register
Thursday June 5, 2025 | 14:00-15:30 CET | 8:00-9:30 EST
WHY ATTEND?
- Learn from Peers: Each session will feature a country case study. Discover how fellow jurisdictions are navigating their adoption journeys, including what role financial sector has played in achieving cohesive framework in a country
- Stay ahead: Over 30 jurisdictions, representing around 60% of global GDP, are already taking steps to introduce the ISSB Standards into their regulatory frameworks.
- Hear from the Experts: Get firsthand insights from ISSB Board Members and the Regulatory Affairs team behind the standards.
SESSIONS DETAILS
Webinar 1: Deep Dive into Jurisdictional Approaches (April 15th)
Explore the Inaugural Jurisdictional Guide, the regulatory role in adoption, decision-making milestones, and key considerations. Hear from a country currently implementing the Standards and take part in a live Q&A.
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:10am EST | Opening Remark Opening remarks by Jingdong Hua (ISSB Vice-Chair) and Rong Zhang (SBFN Global Coordinator) | |
| 8:10-9:00am EST | Deep Dive into Jurisdictional Approaches IFRS Foundation will provide a deep dive into their Inaugural Jurisdictional Guide launched in April 2024. Learn how to design and plan ISSB Standards adoption journey. | |
| 9:00-9:15am EST | Country Case Study Hear from a country currently adopting the ISSB Standards, highlighting the approach, steps taken, and lessons learned. This will be an insightful session for countries considering implementing ISSB Standards. | |
| 9:15-9:30am EST | Q&A session | |
Preparatory Work: Watch and Read Before the First Session
To make the most of the webinars, please watch these in-depth explainer videos on IFRS S1 and S2 and read the Jurisdictional Guide before April 15:
- IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information
- IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures
Note: The webinar series will not cover the full background or content of IFRS S1 and S2, so pre-watching is essential.
Webinar 2: Introducing the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, part I (May 8th)
IFRS Foundation will present the newly launched Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, its components and templates, focusing on considerations of the regulatory process and reporting entities.
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:05am EST | Introduction Introduction and outline of the session | |
| 8:05-8:55am EST | Introduction to the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, Part I IFRS Foundation will provide a deep dive into their Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool launched in March 2025. Gain practical knowledge on how to adopt ISSB Standards and the reporting entities. | |
| 8:55-9:05am EST | Country Case Study Hear country experience on their own journey of adopting ISSB Standard, focusing on considerations of the regulatory process and reporting entities. | |
| 9:05-9:30am EST | Q&A session | |
Preparatory Work: Watch and Read Before the Second Session
To make the most of the webinars, please watch the explainer videos and go through the Roadmap Development Tool before May 8:
- Roadmap Development Tool (Landing pages with videos)
- Roadmap Development Tool – Guide
- Roadmap Development Tool – Excel
Webinar 3: Introducing the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, part II (June 5th)
Go deeper into the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, with a special focus on readiness and requirements. The session will feature a case study from a country actively implementing the ISSB Standards.
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:05am EST | Introduction Introduction and outline of the session | |
| 8:05-8:55am EST | Introduction to the Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, Part II IFRS Foundation will provide a deep dive of Jurisdictional Roadmap Development Tool, with a focus on readiness and requirements. Learn the specific content to by covered in the disclosure requirements and timeline for adoption. | |
| 8:55-9:05am EST | Country Case Study Hear country experience on their own journey of adopting ISSB Standard, focusing on considerations of the readiness and requirements. | |
| 9:05-9:30am EST | Q&A session | |
About Speakers
Jingdong Hua
Vice-Chair, International Sustainability Standards Board
Jingdong Hua was appointed as Vice-Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in August 2022, effective 1 October 2022.
Mr Hua brings a wealth of international finance and development expertise to the ISSB. He is the former Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank, where his responsibilities included green bond initiatives and sustainable finance capacity-building programmes. He also served as the Administrator of the World Bank Group Pension Fund.
Before joining the World Bank, he served as Vice President and Treasurer of the International Finance Corporation, where he led innovative bond issuances in several emerging markets. He has also previously served as Deputy Treasurer of the Asian Development Bank and has held positions at the United Nations Development Programme and the African Development Bank
Jonathan Bravo
Director of Regulatory Affairs, IFRS Foundation
Jonathan Bravo is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at the IFRS Foundation, where he leads the IFRS Foundation’s engagement with regulators and policymakers both at global and jurisdictional level. He has an extensive experience in public policy and capital markets regulation with a focus on corporate and sustainability reporting.
Before joining the IFRS Foundation, he was Head of Finance and Senior Policy Advisor at the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), responsible for the coordination of IOSCO´s policy work on financial and sustainability reporting, auditing and assurance. During this period, he also headed the Secretariat of the Monitoring Board of the IFRS Foundation and was the IOSCO Secretariat representative for the Monitoring Group for international audit and assurance standard setting.
Jonathan also served as the first Finance Controller of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) and worked for several years for PWC in Spain.
He holds a MBA in International Capital Masters from UNED MEMFI Business School –in Madrid and earned a M.Sc. on Management and Business Administration from Alfonso X El Sabio University in Madrid.
Global Coordinator of Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), IFC
Ms. Rong Zhang leads IFC’s support to the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Networks and Thought Leadership. In her role, she manages ESG global advisory programs and knowledge products to provide technical assistance and build capacity of clients and ESG practitioners, and convene networks to support government and market over various issues such as sustainable and climate finance, ESG standards, disclosure and transparency.
Rong Zhang is instrumental to build and expand the IFC-supported Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) which is a public-private capacity building platform convening financial regulators and industry associations from emerging markets committed to advancing the sustainable finance agenda. She represents IFC and SBFN in various international sustainable finance fora and networks including the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (G20 SFWG), the EU International Platform for Sustainable Finance (EU IPSF), the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), and the Equator Principles Association (EPA).
Jana Mudronova
Data and Disclosure Working Group Coordinator, Africa Coordinator, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), IFC
Jana Mudronova is the SBFN Data and Disclosure Working Group Coordinator and Africa Coordinator. Apart from providing expert advice to SBFN members, she leads the development of SBFN thought leadership and implementation of existing products and partnerships.
Dr Mudronova is an ESG specialist with a rich career supporting regulators, investors, and companies in developing and implementing ESG strategies, risk assessment and management, and reporting. She holds a PhD in Applied Development Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.