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IOSCO’s Growth and Emerging Markets Committee launches a dedicated Network to support its members in the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards in their local jurisdictions

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IOSCO announced recently the launch of a dedicated network to support the adoption and other use of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards), with the support of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The Network will start with a group of 32 IOSCO members of its Growth and Emerging Markets (GEM) Committee, representing 31 jurisdictions.

The 31 jurisdictions who are initially joining the GEMC Network for ISSB Standards Adoption or Other Use are a diverse group representing: Abu Dhabi, Argentina, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, China, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More jurisdictions have expressed interest in joining in the months ahead.

Most IOSCO members joining the GEMC Network are playing or will be playing a leading role in the adoption of sustainability-related corporate reporting requirements. At the date of joining the network, members are either already executing a roadmap for ISSB Standards implementation, developing a roadmap, building awareness and understanding, or becoming familiar with the ISSB Standards.

GEM Committee members joining the network expressed strong appetite for the Network, including to (i) build capacity on supervisory and enforcement aspects of ISSB Standards, (ii) set up deep dives to discuss and understand how the Jurisdictional Guide and other educational materials can support adoption, and (iii) help them assess market readiness.

Through the Network, GEMC members will benefit from assistance in building local capacity to implement the requirements of the Standards. The Network will also provide a platform for advancing information sharing at a regional level.

Together, the IOSCO GEMC members joining the Network represent:

  • 4.3 billion people in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies, more than half of the world’s population
  • more than 90% of BRICS economies GDP and their market capitalisation
  • nearly half of Africa and the Middle East’s GDP and 60% of their market capitalisation; and
  • more than two thirds of Latin America and the Caribbean’s GDP and more than 85% of its market capitalisation.

The ISSB issued the ISSB Standards in June 2023 in response to investor demand for

decision-useful, comparable information and the need for a more efficient global reporting landscape. The ISSB Standards support globally consistent, comparable and reliable sustainability-related disclosures to meet the information needs of investors and other participants in the world’s capital markets. After an independent and comprehensive review, in July 2023, IOSCO endorsed the ISSB Standards for capital market use and called on its members to consider ways in which they might adopt, apply or otherwise be informed by the ISSB Standards in their jurisdictions.

Since IOSCO’s endorsement, a total of 56 jurisdictions, both from developed and emerging markets, have already taken action to adopt or otherwise use ISSB Standards (half of these jurisdictions have already finalized their adoption of the ISSB Standards). Together, these jurisdictions represent nearly 60% of global GDP, more than 40% of global market capitalization, and more than half of global GHG emissions. The Network is intended to support jurisdictions mostly from emerging markets in their adoption journeys and will comprise both jurisdictions already in the process of adoption or other use and jurisdictions considering adoption or other use.

Jean-Paul Servais, Chairman of the IOSCO Board, said: ‘We have seen a strong interest from our Growth and Emerging Markets members wanting to introduce the ISSB Standards into their respective regulatory frameworks. These members are willing to implement international standards that enhance international consistency and comparability of climate-related and other sustainability-related disclosures for investors. We are also acutely aware that Growth and Emerging Markets members have signaled a strong desire for support to help them progress their adoption or other use of the ISSB Standards. This dedicated Network will offer them expert support with the help of the ISSB and other partners.’

Emmanuel Faber, ISSB Chair, said: ‘We are delighted to see considerable interest from emerging markets jurisdictions towards adopting the ISSB’s global baseline of sustainability disclosures for capital markets. We are also pleased to continue and further enhance our collaboration with IOSCO by supporting Network members on their jurisdictional adoption journeys. Doing so will help them align their sustainability-related disclosure requirements with the global baseline, connecting them to global capital pools and investors seeking new investment opportunities. This progress is also important to all other jurisdictions because multinational companies with global supply chains will stand to benefit from the availability of comparable data and disclosures from across the value chain and such disclosures will facilitate trade.”

Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Chairman of the GEM Committee and Vice-Chair of the IOSCO Board, said: ‘I am delighted to see a number of emerging markets taking clear steps towards adoption or other use of the ISSB Standards and I urge them to complete the efforts to avail the Standards in different languages for speed of adoption or other use. I commend the IFRS Foundation’s engagement with the IOSCO Growth and Emerging Markets

Committee and the establishment of a new Network to facilitate enhanced capacity building to assist securities regulators in this journey.

Earlier this year, IOSCO strengthened its collaboration with the ISSB and enhanced its partnership with the World Bank to assist jurisdictions as they consider their pathways to adopt ISSB Standards.

In May 2024, the IFRS Foundation published the Inaugural Jurisdictional Guide for the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards and a Regulatory Implementation Programme Outline. These documents are already proving to be important additions to the toolkit available to jurisdictions as they navigate their approaches towards the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards. IOSCO has since been actively supporting these jurisdictions through an enhanced capacity-building program, designed to help them build the expertise necessary to adopt the ISSB Standards.

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Financial

CFI Partners with Saadiyat Nights as Part of Its Collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi

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January 17, 2025

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CFI

CFI Financial Group is proud to announce its official partnership with Saadiyat Nights, as part of CFI’s strategic partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This collaboration underscores CFI’s commitment to supporting its local community and providing its clients with unforgettable cultural and entertainment experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. 

Currently captivating audiences, the second edition of Saadiyat Nights is bringing legendary international artists, performers and fans together at the iconic open-air venue on Saadiyat Island. Running from December to February, this extraordinary series features iconic acts like Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, Leningrad, Ebi and Omar Khairat, with some already dazzling the stage and others eagerly awaited.

Through this collaboration, CFI will benefit from exceptional brand visibility at each event, while offering its clients premium access to performances and money-can’t-buy experiences, including exclusive Meet & Greet opportunities with some of these legendary artists.  

“Through this collaboration, CFI reinforces its brand presence and industry leadership by securing high brand visibility at each of the Saadiyat Nights events in Abu Dhabi, a key hub for culture and global connections,” said Hisham Mansour, Co-founder and Managing Director of CFI. “This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful connections, supporting cultural initiatives and providing our clients with opportunities to engage with world-class experiences that complement their journey with CFI.”

Through this partnership, CFI is proud to support Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading cultural destination in the region, while staying committed to its mission of providing traders with exceptional trading experiences and engaging with like-minded local communities.

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Financial

MultiBank Group Secures Court Victory as Judge Declares Von Der Heydt Claims as “Fictitious” and “Untenable”

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January 17, 2025

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MultiBank Group

MultiBank Group has achieved a significant courtroom victory in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court against Von Der Heydt Invest S.A. (VDH), a Von Der Heydt Group subsidiary, which had brought claims against MultiBank FX International Corporation (MBFX), a MultiBank Group entity, and its founder, Naser Taher.

The court described the allegations brought by VDH as ‘fictitious’ and ‘untenable’, labelling VDH’s pursuit of these matters as an “abuse of process.” The court ordered VDH to cover over USD$25 million in legal costs incurred by Mr. Taher and MBFX. 

The Honorable Justice Gerhard Wallbank’s decision rejected VDH’s claims and confirmed MultiBank Group’s adherence to transparency and integrity. Naser Taher, Founder and Chairman of MultiBank Group said: ‘The accusations levied against us by Von Der Heydt have always been unfounded, and this ruling is a testament to our strong adherence to the principles of fairness and lawful conduct.’

The court confirmed that the legal campaign by VDH and its affiliates over the past four years consisted of coordinated and unfounded allegations targeting MultiBank Group. The judgment also highlighted a “conspiratorial network” involving multiple parties.

A previous ruling by the court made in early 2024 compared the relationship between the Von Der Heydt Group, to the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme.

This decision marks an end to VDH’s pursuit of claims against the MultiBank Group and runs parallel to the financial group’s broader collapse. Von Der Heydt Bank, a 250-year-old institution and VDH’s parent company, has surrendered its banking license and ceased to exist after being placed in liquidation by its founder Dietrich Von Boetticher. The court further commented on the plight of German noteholders allegedly represented by VDH, attributing their difficulties to mismanagement at the hands of the Von Der Heydt leadership.

A prior ruling by the London High Court found Colm Smith, CEO of CSM Securities, and his company in contempt of court for not adhering to a worldwide freezing order (WFO) obtained by MultiBank Group. This contempt stems from Smith’s failure to disclose assets related to a legal dispute involving Van Der Heydt Invest SA (VDHI), where significant losses were linked to investments in notes associated with the Multibank Index. His actions have raised the possibility of imprisonment as the court continues to address allegations of unlawful collusion against MultiBank Group, which are unfolding in various European courts.

MultiBank Group’s victory in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court further solidifies its position as a trusted leader in the financial derivatives market, operating under the oversight of 16 regulators across five continents and serving over one million clients worldwide. Naser Taher added: ‘We are delighted that the judiciary has recognised the baseless nature of these accusations and affirmed our global reputation for integrity and operational excellence. We remain steadfast in delivering the highest standards of financial services to our clients.’

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Features

Building businesses that last: Lessons from Dubai’s Startup Ecosystem

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1 week ago

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January 9, 2025

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Culture Mapping

Dubai-based entrepreneurs and podcast hosts Konstantin Koloskov and Anastasia Davydova share lessons from 2024’s dynamic business landscape, exploring the power of collaboration, sustainable growth, and staying true to your vision amidst rapid change. Dubai in 2024 was a hub of energy and innovation, with startup founders raising capital, scaling rapidly, and embracing the city’s ever-changing landscape

As co-hosts of Culture Mapping, a podcast exploring the intersections of culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the UAE, we’ve had the privilege of looking at Dubai through a unique lens. Our conversations with inspiring guests—from startup founders to artists—have offered us fresh perspectives on the opportunities and challenges 2024 has brought.

At the same time, our collaboration on the podcast has been a powerful reminder of the strength found in partnerships. Beyond being co-hosts, we’re both entrepreneurs leading our own companies — Konstantin, the co-founder of Storm, a content studio, and Anastasia, the co-founder of Movingo, a relocation platform for businesses and talents moving to the UAE.

2024 was a challenging year for both of us, but it reinforced a key insight: the power of collaboration within teams and across industries and ventures. Supporting each other in our businesses while building the podcast together has opened new opportunities, sparked creative ideas, and brought energy to everything we do. We also saw This spirit of collaboration reflected in our podcast guests. Dubai in 2024 has been a hub of energy and innovation, with startup founders like those we interviewed raising capital, scaling rapidly, and embracing the city’s ever-changing landscape. Their stories reminded us how crucial it is to stay connected to a network of thinkers and doers who inspire and challenge you.

Key Lessons from 2024

  1. Stay Open to New Opportunities, But Don’t Lose Sight of Your Core Vision: One of our most memorable guests this year was Phillipo Minelli, a visionary artist who embodies this principle. While he sees the growing potential of the UAE and its flourishing art scene, he stays grounded in the values of his work. Phillipo reminded us that growth and opportunity mean little if they compromise your core mission or beliefs.
  2. Prioritize Sustainable Growth Over Short-Term Gains: Felix Erdman, a businessman featured on our podcast, is a shining example of this lesson. His approach to building wealth with a long-term perspective—eschewing fleeting trends and buzz-worthy ventures—was inspiring. His story reinforced what we’ve learned firsthand in our businesses: thoughtful, strategic growth is the foundation for lasting success.
  3. Collaboration Drives Innovation: Dubai’s vibrant, multicultural energy fosters collaboration in a way few places can. Whether it’s the three startup founders we interviewed—who shared how working with the right partners helped them scale—or the creative synergies we’ve experienced in our work, it’s clear that great things happen when ideas are shared and connections are made.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for the New Year, we’re embracing the lessons of 2024 with a renewed focus on intentional growth. The global economic shifts have made us even more mindful of how we approach risk and investment. Innovation matters, but so does sustainability. To our fellow entrepreneurs, here’s the advice we’ll be taking with us into 2025:

  1. Keep an eye on new horizons, but stay true to your vision.
  2. Prioritize sustainable growth over chasing quick wins.
  3. Value collaboration—it’s a game-changer.

Dubai continues to be a city where ambition meets possibility, and we’re excited to see how it will evolve in the year ahead. For us, the focus is clear: building businesses that last, telling stories that matter, and embracing the power of collaboration to make it all possible.

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