Initially, the ESG principles were modelled for the private sphere, but the same conditions will now be set for enterprises operating in the public interest and with a state share. Their financing, development, and modernisation should be linked to the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) sustainability principles, i.e., environmental, social, and governance principles. "Our green and sustainable future lies in understanding, applying and spreading good ESG practices. At the same time, there are various benefits for companies in applying the sustainability philosophy, including a positive image," said the head of the national auditors. He added that as 1st Vice President and future President of EUROSAI. This organisation brings together Europe's top audit institutions; he and his colleagues at the Office want to actively contribute to implementing the principles of responsible management and stewardship of public resources. "With our future presidency of EUROSAI, we see the ESG conference as an opportunity to reinforce our commitment in this area and to express our determination to lead discussions and initiatives that will lead to real change," added Ľ. Andrassy. Slovak national auditors have already addressed environmental, social justice, and governance issues in their audits in the past, and the national authority for external audits will continue in this setting in the future, the chairman of the Slovak auditors announced.

"This conference is a unique opportunity to bring together experts from the public and private sector, from Slovakia and abroad, and in my case also from a European institution, with national audit authorities," said European Court of Auditors (ECA) Member Katarína Kaszasová in her speech, for whom today's presentation was the first official appearance in Slovakia since she has been representing Slovakia in the College of the European Court of Auditors (ECA). As she underlined, the three magic letters ESG have been with us for several years. It is important not to pretend that ESG reporting and verification of sustainability information does not apply to the public sector. "It concerns all of us, because financially, environmentally or socially sustainable management is about our responsibility not only to our citizens in Slovakia but also to our friends in Europe," stressed the ECA member for the Slovak Republic.

Miloslav Kala, President of the Czech Audit Office, recalled that according to a Eurobarometer survey of more than 26 thousand respondents a year ago, 85% of them think that the EU should encourage the production of clean technologies in member countries and 79% are in favour of the Union focusing on reducing energy consumption. "This result clearly shows that sustainability is not just part of the European political vocabulary, but resonates throughout society, regardless of borders, political, economic or cultural differences. Businesses already know that ESG factors influence 80% of investment decisions and are becoming a key criterion in tenders and tenders," underlined President M. Kala.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Daniela Klučková, who is in charge of sustainability information reporting, said that although many companies have already encountered the reporting of non-financial information, the new directive introduces significant changes and significantly expands the actual scope of the information to be reported. Many companies are, therefore, concerned about how they will cope with these new obligations. Several entities have highlighted the difficulty of obtaining the information that they will have to evaluate and describe in their annual report. D. Klučková, therefore, welcomed the opportunity to present the main changes to the Accounting Act at the conference. She also stressed that statutory auditors, who verify the information reported, will play an important role.

Representatives of the Slovak Chamber of Auditors and the Office for Audit Supervision also attend the conference. "A responsible approach leads us not to live at the expense of future generations. Sustainable development is no longer just long-term plans defined by world and European institutions. Still, it is a reality and our common responsibility to implement these plans," underlined Milan Mozolák, President of the Slovak Chamber of Auditors.

During the panel discussions at today's conference, experts from practice, representatives of the business sector, institutions in the field of audit, and representatives of ministries will speak.

A recording of the conference is available on the SAO's YouTube channel