WOFA 2.0 Inaugurated, Piyush Goyal Hails Role of CAs in India’s Growth

Greater Noida News (31 January 2026): The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) on Thursday inaugurated the World Forum of Accountants (WOFA) 2.0 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, marking one of the largest global congregations of accounting professionals ever hosted in India. The three-day international convention has drawn more than 12,000 Chartered Accountants, policymakers, industry leaders and global experts from across the world, reaffirming India’s growing leadership in the global accounting and finance ecosystem.

The mega event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal as the Chief Guest, with Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, as Guest of Honour. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), and the ICAI leadership led by CA Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI, CA Prasanna Kumar D., Vice President, and CA (Dr.) Jai Kumar Batra, Secretary, along with Central and Regional Council members and several former ICAI Presidents.

CAs Are Custodians of Trust: Piyush Goyal

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Piyush Goyal described Chartered Accountants as the backbone of India’s economic governance and growth. He said CAs play a central role in enabling investment, ensuring transparent financial reporting and strengthening institutional trust at a time of global volatility and uncertainty.

Chartered Accountants are the true custodians of trust and a vital bridge between India and global markets, Piyush Goyal said, adding that as India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy and a $30 trillion nation by 2047, the profession will have an increasingly important role both domestically and internationally. Commending the record participation at WOFA 2.0, he expressed confidence that the CA fraternity has the capability and conviction to help transform India into a developed nation during the Amrit Kaal.

WOFA 2.0 Theme Highlights Global Collaboration

The theme of WOFA 2.0, Nation Building to Global Collaboration: Strengthening Trust, Enabling Growth, reflects India’s emergence as a global economic leader and underscores the expanding role of Chartered Accountants as drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.

India to Emerge as Global Economic Power: Kumar Mangalam Birla

Guest of Honour Kumar Mangalam Birla said addressing the global CA fraternity felt like a “homecoming,” noting that he remains deeply influenced by the values instilled through his Chartered Accountancy training. He emphasized that integrity, accuracy and trust—core principles of the profession—have guided him throughout his professional journey.

Birla stated that over the next decade, India is poised to become a major global manufacturing and supply-chain hub, supported by one of the world’s largest consumer markets and rapidly improving infrastructure. He added that India’s growth trajectory would be fast, resilient and sustainable, with Chartered Accountants playing a foundational role in building trust and enabling this transformation.

ICAI’s Vision for Global Leadership

ICAI President CA Charanjot Singh Nanda highlighted the Institute’s contribution to nation building and global collaboration, describing WOFA 2.0 as a defining moment for the profession. He said ICAI is positioning Indian Chartered Accountants as global benchmarks in excellence, innovation and ethical leadership.

From technology-driven audits and indigenous standards gaining international recognition to sustainability and public service, Indian CAs are shaping the future with integrity and impact, he said, urging members to build larger firms, form cross-disciplinary partnerships and deliver knowledge-driven services on a global scale.

Vice President CA Prasanna Kumar D., while proposing the vote of thanks, said platforms like WOFA strengthen India’s global credibility by bringing together thought leaders to promote ethics, collaboration and professional excellence.

Global Leaders Deliberate on the Future of the Profession

The inaugural session was followed by a special global dialogue titled ‘Shaping the Future Together: Vision for a Global Profession’, featuring international leaders who discussed emerging trends, sustainability reporting, technology adoption and the evolving role of accountants.

IFAC President Jean Bouquot spoke on IFAC’s strategic priorities, emphasizing sustainability, technology and talent development. He called for convergence in sustainability standards, ethical use of artificial intelligence and renewed efforts to inspire the next generation of accountants.

Prof. Dale Pinto, President of CPA Australia, highlighted the expanding role of accountants as trusted advisors, stressing the integration of sustainability with financial reporting and the importance of professional judgment in the AI era. David Franklin, CFO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), underscored India’s rising strategic importance in the global economy and the profession’s growing responsibility across ESG, technology and public interest leadership.

Parliamentarians Discuss Inclusive Growth

A dedicated session titled ‘From Vision to Vikas: Shaping India’s Inclusive Growth Story’ featured Members of Parliament Arun Singh, Vivek Tankha, and P. P. Chaudhary. The discussion focused on governance-led reforms, transparent financial systems and collaboration between policymakers and professionals to strengthen public trust and support sustainable development.

MP P. P. Chaudhary, in his virtual address, said India has moved decisively from promise to performance and is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. Arun Singh highlighted the profession’s role in strengthening transparency and compliance, while Vivek Tankha described Chartered Accountants as “crisis managers of the economy” and advocated for stronger legal protection for the profession.

Focus on Wellness and Holistic Growth

The first day concluded with a keynote address by Yog Guru Swami Ramdev on ‘Wellness@Work: Building Balance, Strength & Resilience’, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being for professional excellence. A cultural evening followed, adding vibrancy to the landmark gathering.

WOFA 2.0 continues over the next two days with more than 200 global experts participating in 50+ high-impact sessions, focusing on accounting, auditing, sustainability, technology, governance and global collaboration.

About ICAI

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, is the world’s largest professional accountancy body, operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. With over 1.5 million members and students, ICAI has an extensive network of 5 Regional Councils, 185 branches in India, and a global footprint across 85 cities in 47 countries, including 54 overseas chapters and 31 representative offices.

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