Saudi Arabia Participates In First Steering Meeting For Global Project Supporting Independence Of Supreme Audit Institutions

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting the independence of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Dr. Hussam Alangari, President of the General Court of Audit (GCA), represented the Kingdom at the first steering meeting of the Global Project for the Independence of SAIs in Paris. The event included participation from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, INTOSAI Development Initiative, OECD, World Bank, and IMF.

Dr. Alangari expressed pride in Saudi Arabia's involvement in this global initiative aimed at enhancing SAI independence worldwide. He highlighted that independence is crucial for SAIs to perform effectively, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and transparency within the public sector. He also noted that SAIs must take on significant responsibilities to maintain their independence and tackle challenges threatening it.

The GCA has achieved full independence under King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Amendments to its statutes have granted it legal personality and financial and administrative independence, allowing direct reporting to the King. These changes have bolstered its capacity to promote transparency and accountability while performing its functions independently.

This achievement is part of Saudi Arabia's active contributions to international efforts supporting SAI independence. The GCA delegation at the meeting included Executive Vice President for Financial Audit and Compliance Lama Alhamadi, along with Audit Managers May Alturki and Ragad Alothaim. They shared their insights and recommendations on the project's progress.

The Global Project for the Independence of SAIs is a collaborative effort between INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) and OECD. It aims to identify good practices, highlight positive impacts of SAI independence across various countries, and address challenges faced by these institutions.

Dr. Alangari emphasized that Saudi Arabia's participation in this project reflects its commitment to strengthening SAI independence globally. By doing so, it contributes significantly to enhancing public sector accountability and transparency worldwide.

The meeting served as a platform for exchanging ideas on improving SAI operations through enhanced autonomy. Participants discussed strategies for overcoming obstacles that hinder SAI effectiveness in different regions.

Saudi Arabia's involvement in this initiative underscores its dedication to fostering robust audit institutions capable of upholding transparency and accountability standards internationally.

With inputs from SPA