November 17, 2023 – INTOSAI 70th anniversary celebration event on November 20 at the Austrian Parliament
“Independence means that the Court of Auditors can publish at any time and that the Court of Auditors can also choose the topics itself”, said Margit Kraker, President of the Court of Auditors in her capacity as Secretary General of the International Supreme Audit Organization. Institutions (INTOSAI).the 70th anniversary of INTOSAI. INTOSAI is the umbrella organization for a worldwide auditor network that includes nearly 200 members. Sharing knowledge, establishing common testing standards and supporting each other are part of INTOSAI’s core mission. INTOSAI’s motto is: “Mutual experience benefits everyone” – “The mutual exchange of experiences benefits everyone”. This also includes “leaving no one behind”.
Court of Auditors President Margit Kraker and Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council, are inviting people to a ceremony in the National Council Parliament Hall on Monday, November 20th. In addition to INTOSAI’s 70th anniversary, the 60th anniversary of the General Secretariat will also be celebrated in Vienna. High-level international guests (see program) will speak on the topic of sustainable development and the contribution that auditors can make to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Kraker emphasizes the importance of the independence of audit courts
Accounting courts have evolved over the years. “We apply auditing standards, we apply international standards, the so-called ISSAI, and we attach great importance to the fact that the audit courts can exercise their control function without being disturbed”, says Kraker. This is why independence plays a very special role for the position of the audit courts as a whole. Each Court of Auditors has different duties and powers. “But what unites us is that we face governments and check how financial resources are spent in each country”, said the secretary general of INTOSAI.
Only seven years left to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda
INTOSAI and its associated auditors are committed to making a significant contribution to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The core of the 2030 Agenda are 17 objectives: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are in the middle of the implementation phase of the 2030 Agenda. There are only seven years left until 2030 and that is not much, there is a lot to do. The Courts of Auditors will work diligently to ensure that we can contribute to global sustainability at various levels”, says the President of the Court of Auditors, Kraker.
The Austrian Court of Auditors has also presented audits aligned with the SDGs, such as the report “Reducing food waste – Implementation of target 12.3 of the 2030 Agenda” or the report “United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Austria ”.
“Making a difference in the lives of citizens”
“As an umbrella organization for higher audit institutions around the world, INTOSAI plays a central role in helping its members strengthen their position in their respective countries, fulfill their mission and develop their skills to make a difference in the lives of citizens – through its tests, its recommendations and its experience”, emphasizes Kraker.
INTOSAI was founded in November 1953 in Havana, Cuba. The General Secretariat of INTOSAI has been based at the Austrian Court of Auditors, in Vienna, since 1963. INTOSAI is a non-governmental organization with special status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. When it was founded, the organization had 34 members. Today, INTOSAI has 195 full members, five associate members and two affiliate members.
Press release: 70 years of INTOSAI
Trust Podcast: Season 4 | Episode 1 – Strengthening independence – 70 years of INTOSAI
Festschrift: 70 Years INTOSAI – We contribute to global sustainability
Note for journalists
The Court of Auditors tweeted in @70yearsINTOSAI of the event at the National Council. The report about the anniversary event on the Court of Auditors’ social media is marked with the hashtag #70yearsINTOSAI.
Find more information about INTOSAI and the festival event
Media registration via [email protected].
Ceremony in the National Council Parliament Chamber on November 20, 2023
3pm to 5pm
PROGRAM
Opening words
Wolfgang SobotkaPresident of the National Council
Margaret KrakerPresident of the Austrian Court of Auditors and Secretary General of INTOSAI
Speeches
Bruno DantasPresident of the Federal Court of Auditors and President of the Executive Board of INTOSAI
Hussam AlangariPresident of the Saudi Arabian Court of Auditors and Chairman of the INTOSAI Policy, Finance and Administration Committee
Gene DodaroComptroller General of the United States and Vice Chairman of the INTOSAI Policy, Finance and Administration Committee
Tsakani MalulekeAuditor General of South Africa and Chair of the INTOSAI Capacity Development Committee
Kay SchellerPresident of the German Federal Audit Office
Rhoda Semanas BrownGeneral Counsel and Director of the Legal Department of
International Monetary Fund
David LeBlancHead of the Department of Public Institutions and Electronic Government, United Nations