Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) hosted the 2023 Meetings of Asia Pacific Regional Committee (APRC) of International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) during 22-23 February 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The said APRC Meetings 2023 included Supervisory Director’s Meeting and Enforcement Director’s Meeting - on 22nd February and APRC Plenary Meeting on 23rd February. It’s a milestone for the capital market of Bangladesh as the IOSCO organized any of its annual events first time ever in Bangladesh. It is mentionable here that IOSCO is the international body that brings together the world's securities regulators and is the global standard setter for the securities markets. Asia Pacific Regional Committee (APRC) is one of the four Regional Committees of IOSCO which is comprised of 24 ordinary members and 9 associate members from the Asia-Pacific region. The Chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam assumed the charge of Vice Chair of APRC and Member of the IOSCO Board since 17th October 2022 for the term 2022-2024. Professor Shibli presided over the Supervisory Director’s Meeting and Enforcement Director’s Meeting where 46 foreign delegates from the securities regulators of the Asia-pacific region e.g., Australia, Singapore, India, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, Chinese Taipei & Vietnam attended.
The closing ceremony of the IOSCO-APRC Meetings, 2023 was held in Bangabandhu International Convention Centre, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka on February 23, 2023, 7:00 PM. Dr. Mashiur Rahamn, Economic Affairs Advisor to the Honorable Prime Minister attended the occasion as the Chief Guest and Mr. Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah, Secretary, Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance was present as Special Guest. Mr. Tajinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, IOSCO Secretariat and Mr. Shigeru Ariizumi, Chair of APRC and Vice Commissioner for International Affairs, Financial Services Agency, Japan, graced the event as guests of honour. Delegates and dignitaries from the Government and regulatory authorities, international organizations, financial institutes, business community and diplomats were present in the program. The closing ceremony was followed by cultural program and gala dinner.