The Secretary-General Message to the XXII international congress of supreme audit institutions (INCOSAI)

Delivered by Mr. Wu Hongbo,Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

 

I am pleased to greet the International Congress of Supreme Audit Institutions.

I thank the State Audit Institution of the United Arab Emirates for hosting this important event.

I am pleased that INTOSAI and the INTOSAI community keep close ties across the United Nations system. Our relationship has grown even stronger since INTOSAI obtained special consultative status at the Economic and Social Council.

These ties have resulted in two important General Assembly resolutions acknowledging the role of Supreme Audit Institutions in promoting efficient and accountable public administration, conducive to the implementation of development priorities.

This Congress takes place at a crucial moment. This is the first year of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals -- the world’s blueprint for ending poverty and building lives of peace and dignity on a healthy planet.

I commend the Congress for focusing on how INTOSAI can contribute, including by helping to promote the implementation of the SDGs, strengthening the fight against corruption and promoting the accountability of all stakeholders in translating the new agenda into positive change across the world.

External auditors provide important insight to legislative bodies, governments and society on the outcomes of SDG policies and issues of efficiency, probity and transparency. You can drive change by ensuring that resources go where they are needed most, and by compiling data and information on how to deliver on the SDG commitments. I encourage you in particular to seize the potential of non-traditional statistics and big data to strengthen auditing processes.

SAIs are at the core of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. You play a critical role in the fight against illicit financial flows and corrupt practices, which undermine the efforts to finance the SDGs.

INTOSAI’s strategic plan 2017-2022, which will be endorsed at this Congress, recognizes the contribution of SAIs to the follow-up and review of the SDGs as a strategic priority.  I am pleased to see this commitment and leadership.

To reach all of our goals, governments and State institutions, public and private actors, and all people, must work together.  I wish you a productive Congress, and thank you for your contributions. The United Nations remains committed to assisting your efforts in support of sustainable development.