XXV INCOSAI: Parallel Engagements

The Global Project on SAI Independence
The Congress also provided a platform to present the Global Project on SAI Independence. The project is led by the INTOSAI Secretariat, the World Bank, the IMF and the OECD. Its goal is to assess the INTOSAI Mexico declaration implementation results, analyze the factors negatively affecting SAIs’ independence and provide expert recommendations on how to eliminate them. The research methodology was prepared by the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) together with the University of Oslo. The project involved 49 SAIs.

Its preliminary results highlighted a number of problems: the growing political pressure on SAIs, information access limitations, overloading SAIs with extraneous functions due to weakness of other public institutions and insufficient parliamentary control that makes recommendations less effective. The report will be released in 2026.

Anti-poverty issues workshop
The workshop was led by SAI Brazil. Participants were presented with the national Multidimensional Poverty Index developed by SAI Brazil using the UN Development Program (UNDP). The Index assesses poverty not only by income, but also uses a totality of factors that impact quality of life: health, education, housing, employment and vulnerability to incidents. Its purpose is to connect public expenditures with tangible socioeconomic policy results.

SAI contribution to SDGs roundtable
The event was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) together with the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI). Its participants discussed the experience, challenges and future areas of SAIs’ operations in the field of sustainable development. Reports were made by representatives of the SAI Brazil, SAI USA and SAI Saint Lucia. The key findings will be used to prepare the  World Public Sector Report 2025, to be released in Q1, 2026.

Memorandum of Understanding signed by the International Federation of Accountants, INTOSAI and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI)
The strategic Memorandum focuses on deepening cooperation and advancing international standards in public finance management. The document reaffirms the general commitment to developing method documents and growing professional competences. The parties agreed to intensify the exchange of knowledge and best practices and take joint expert action.