IPSASB Climate Disclosure Standard Developed with World Bank Group’s Support Receives UNCTAD Recognition

On 2 October 2026, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has received a 2026 International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) Honours recognition from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for its work developing IPSASB SRS 1: Climate-related Disclosures, the first global sustainability reporting standard designed specifically for the public sector.

Issued in January 2026, IPSASB SRS 1 provides guidance for governments and other public sector entities on disclosing decision-useful information about climate-related risks and opportunities. The standard builds on international sustainability reporting developments while reflecting the unique public-interest objectives and responsibilities of public sector organizations.

The development of IPSASB SRS 1 was supported by the World Bank and informed by extensive international consultation involving nearly 100 organizations and more than 900 stakeholders across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The standard aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and decision-making by enabling more consistent and comparable climate-related reporting across the public sector.

The recognition was announced during the 43rd session of UNCTAD's Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) in Geneva. The award highlights the growing role of high-quality sustainability disclosure frameworks in supporting governments' responses to climate and other sustainability-related challenges. Celine Chan, IPSASB Principal, accepted the recognition on behalf of IPSASB. Dmitri Gourfinkel, Senior Financial Management Specialist at the World Bank Governance Global Department, also participated in the ISAR Honours ceremony.

As jurisdictions begin exploring implementation of the standard, IPSASB SRS 1 is already helping build awareness and capacity for public sector sustainability reporting. Earlier this year, Tanzania hosted the first public sector sustainability reporting workshop focused on IPSASB SRS 1, demonstrating growing interest in applying the standard to strengthen climate-related disclosures and transparency across public institutions.

The ISAR Honours recognition underscores the global significance of IPSASB SRS 1 and the growing momentum behind efforts to improve sustainability reporting in the public sector, from international standard setting to practical implementation on the ground.

Read more: IPSASB announcement