The Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Dr. Jyoti Jeetun, called on accountants to uphold integrity, trust and adaptability in the face of rapid changes within their profession amidst a dynamic global environment.
Her appeal was made on Wednesday 6 August 2025, during the opening ceremony of the seventh Forum of Accountants held at the Intercontinental Resort in Balaclava. Organized by the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants (MIPA) to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the two-day event centered around the theme “Sustainability and Digital Transformation: Shaping the Future of the Accountancy Profession”.
The forum was attended by MIPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shailesh Kumar Newaj, along with numerous accounting professionals and distinguished guests.
In her keynote speech, Dr. Jeetun emphasized that modern accounting extends beyond numbers to encompass core values such as integrity, trust and a deep sense of responsibility towards both current and future generations. She highlighted the moral duty of accountants to foster a more sustainable and equitable world, especially as stakeholders increasingly demand accountability that goes beyond financial metrics. She urged accountants to guide businesses in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their operations.
The Minister also underscored the growing importance of sustainability reporting in corporate governance, particularly in addressing climate-related risks. She pointed to threats such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels that jeopardize Mauritius’s tourism industry and stressed the critical role of accountants in providing accurate data to help businesses confront these environmental challenges. She expressed confidence that by embracing their stewardship of sustainability, accountants can help ensure companies deliver lasting value for future generations.
Regarding digital transformation, Minister Jeetun emphasized that technology should be viewed as an ally rather than a threat. She highlighted innovations such as artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics, which are reshaping the profession and enabling accountants to focus more on strategic advisory roles and ethical decision-making.
The Minister also stressed the importance of cultivating an inclusive, technology-driven profession grounded in strong ethical standards, where sustainable practices and digital innovation work hand in hand to enhance the sector’s resilience over the long term.
Mr. Newaj, for his part, highlighted MIPA’s crucial role since its establishment under the Financial Reporting Act of 2004, overseeing more than 3,800 professional accountants in Mauritius. He reaffirmed MIPA’s commitment to maintaining high standards of ethics, professionalism and global relevance.
In light of the significant transformations driven by sustainability, digitalisation and increased transparency, he described the forum as a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and leadership — aimed at shaping a sustainable and digitally empowered future for the profession.