BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, October 2024 – The INTOSAI Donor Cooperation (IDC) Steering Committee reiterates its commitment to enhancing accountability and public financial management in developing countries.[1] At their annual meeting, hosted by Auditor General of Romania, Mihai Busuioc, on September 16-17 in Bucharest, Romania, the participating members highlighted the continued need to support Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and the vital role they play within public financial management systems to ensure good governance. A key part of the meeting was focused on building effective, accountable and transparent institutions for the public good.
During the Bucharest meeting, the Steering Committee confirmed its commitment to the Kingston Agreement adopted during the 2023 Annual Meeting. In that document, members agreed to raise awareness of the cooperation, facilitate donor-SAI partnerships and scaled up support, and increase advocacy efforts on SAI Independence. Since the Kingston meeting, the IDC has successfully supported the roll-out of initiatives including Brokering Upscaled SAI Support (BUSS), Accelerated Peer-support Partnership (PAP-APP), and the Global SAI Accountability Initiative (GSAI).[2]
Under these initiatives, around 40 SAIs either receive direct support from donor partners and/or peer SAIs. In addition, those not already receiving support have been introduced to potential donor partners to communicate development needs.
IDC activities have also highlighted areas to continue support going forward. In particular:
- The response to BUSS, GSAI and PAP-APP programmes clearly demonstrates the important role of SAIs for external donor partners intending to strengthen public financial management systems.
- There is still a need to scale up funding on country and programme levels. This includes a need for additional funding for the GSAI programme and securing funds for continued bilateral support in certain GSAI countries and for a group of SAIs in CREFIAF and AFROSAI-E that participate in the PAP-APP.[3]
- Capacity development funding has been declining, and joint efforts from all donor members are needed to better monitor trends, and identify funding gaps
- A decline in SAI Independence requires strong country level advocacy efforts to support SAIs in cases of interference
- Regional INTOSAI organisations—recognized as enablers of capacity development support to their members with vital knowledge on the regional status—can only continue to provide services to their members through enhanced support from donors
- BUSS has confirmed the need for strong donor coordination to ensure effective support implementation
Founded in 2009, the cooperation is a strategic partnership between INTOSAI and 23 international donors that help SAIs in developing countries fulfill their mandates to serve their governments and citizens. Since its inception, the cooperation has enhanced public financial management and accountability by providing tens of millions of US dollars in funding and technical support to strengthen capacity in over 100 SAIs and addressing threats to the independent operation of SAIs, including appointing a Goodwill Ambassador, the Honorable Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
The cooperation’s leadership includes the World Bank, Global Affairs Canada, the General Court of Audit of Saudi Arabia, the United States Government Accountability Office, and the INTOSAI Development Initiative.
For more information, please contact the INTOSAI Development Initiative: camilla.fredriksen@idi.no
Read the Bucharest Joint Statement 2024.
QUOTES:
“The INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation has profoundly enhanced the capacity of Supreme Audit Institutions in developing countries since 2009. Through increased funding and tailored support, we empower these institutions to conduct impactful audits and strengthen governance. Together, we are committed to building a legacy of integrity and excellence in public financial management.”
– Dr. Hussam Alangari, President of the General Court of Audit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chair of the IDC
“We have come a long way since the signature of the MOU in 2009 that led to the creation of the INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation. We can be proud of all great accomplishments we have made as well as this wonderful community of practice that has emerged over the years. However, this journey is far from over. There is still much to do. The next 15 years will be just as decisive, and it is only with the continued commitment of all IDC members that we will be able to pursue our mission of optimizing the joint efforts of INTOSAI members and Donor partners in enhancing the capacity of SAIs in developing countries.”
– Mathieu Lafrenière, Public Financial Management Specialist, Global Affairs Canada and IDC Vice-Chair
“I am pleased with our discussions and the commitment of all members to build on the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation’s strong track record of success in enhancing accountability in developing countries. Among several positive outcomes, we (1) reinforced the continued vitality and critical mission of the partnership, (2) committed to enhanced collaboration between INTOSAI and the donor community in addressing worrisome global trends regarding threats to the independent operation of SAIs, and (3) affirmed our support for INTOSAI’s regional organizations as enablers of capacity development support and sources of vital knowledge for their members.”
– Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and Head of the United States Government Accountability Office
“The World Bank remains committed to supporting Supreme Audit Institutions as critical pillars of good governance and public financial management. SAIs are essential for making sure public money is spent transparently and with accountability, especially in developing countries where strong oversight is crucial. By working together through the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation, we can further strengthen SAIs’ capacity to fulfill their mandates, enhance financial accountability, and ultimately make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
– Arturo Herrera, Global Director of Governance, World Bank
“IDI is proud to work with the IDC, donors and partners to advance common objectives. I’m confident that the IDC principles will help audit institutions increase transparency, accountability, and sound public financial management for the benefit of their governments and citizens.”
– Einar Gørrissen, Director General of the INTOSAI Development Initiative
[1] The International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) is an autonomous, independent and non-political organization that operates as an umbrella organization for the external government audit community.
[2] The BUSS links available sources of support with SAI development plans by first proactively identifying resources, second, supporting SAIs in articulating their needs and third, enabling opportunities for engagement for both SAIs and partners. The PAP-APP involves intensive support to a small group of the most challenged SAIs and includes the SAIs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Gambia , Guinea, Madagascar, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Togo, and Zimbabwe. The GSAI aims to mobilize effective and well-coordinated support to SAIs in challenging contexts and includes the SAIs of Belize, Benin, Dominica, Haiti, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Tajikistan.
[3] CREFIAF is a member-based institution with 22 SAIs from French-speaking African countries. AFROSAI-E is a member-based institution with 26 SAIs from English-speaking African countries.