The INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) and the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) conducted an audit planning meeting for the 6th Co-operative Performance Audit (CPA) of Preparedness for Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Twenty-seven Performance Auditors from 13 Pacific Supreme Audit Institutes (SAIs) attended this meeting from 27 November to 1 December, 2017 in Suva, Fiji.

The five day meeting provided these auditors with the opportunity to share ideas and experiences, and receive guidance on ‘how to’ plan for performance audit of preparedness as per International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs).  Performance Audit experts and mentors from the IDI, PASAI Secretariat and SAIs of Papua New Guinea and Samoa provided this guidance. Prior to attending this meeting, participants completed an IDI Global eLearning course on the subject matter during the months of July and August 2017.

The main objective of this co-operative audit is to support SAIs in conducting ISSAI-based co-operative performance audits of preparedness for implementation of SDGs in their national context.  This audit is envisaged as one of the first responses of SAIs in contributing to SDG implementation by providing independent oversight on the government’s efforts in implementing SDG programmes and activities. This programme is a collaborative partnership between PASAI and IDI and coincides with the INTOSAI Global Auditing SDGs programme and PASAI’s Strategic Priority 3, of supporting SAIs to conduct high quality audits.

On the first day, PASAI Chief Executive Mr Tiofilusi Tiueti provided an overview of the relevance the work of SAIs are to national and global efforts such as the SDGs, with the aim to make a difference in the lives of citizens. This was followed by an informative presentation by Ms. Portia Dugu, Forum Compact Research Officer, Strategic Partnerships & Co-ordination Programme, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The participants were made aware of the work being undertaken by PIFS in the region relating to SDGs which is a good source of information for planning and conducting the audit. On day two, each participating SAI made presentations on their initial draft audit plans with results of the pre-study from their respective countries.  During day three, mentors provided feedback to individual SAI teams in sub-groups and a SAI peer-review was done on these draft audit plans. On the last day, SAI teams made brief presentations on their revised draft audit plan.  The day concluded with mentors’ briefings on performance audit methodology for conducting and reporting the audit, together with lessons learned and the way forward.    

The workshop was facilitated by Md. Shofiqul Islam, IDI Manager Capacity Development and Ms. Claire Kelly, PASAI Performance Audit Advisor. It was supported by PASAI sub-regional representatives, Mr. Puva Heako, Director Performance Audit, PNG Auditor-General’s Office and Ms. Oceanbaby Penitito, Manager, Performance Audit Division, Samoa Audit Office.

PASAI acknowledges the support of IDI and also the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For more information contact:

Tiofilusi Tiueti

Chief Executive, PASAI Secretariat

Email: tiofilusi.tiueti@pasai.org

Telephone: +64 9 304 1275

Website: www.pasai.org

A’eau Agnes Aruwafu

Director, Technical Support, PASAI Secretariat

Email: agnes.aruwafu@pasai.org

Telephone: +64 9 304 1275

Website: www.pasai.org

Md. Shofiqul Islam

IDI Manager Capacity Development

Email: shofiqul.islam@idi.no

Website: www.idi.no

Photo below: Official Group Photo