The role of SAIs in the global development of digitalization and sustainability – themes of the IDI Summit

A global summit of the International Development Initiative (IDI) of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) was held on 18-19 November 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia, with about 100 representatives from more than 30 countries. The meeting was attended by Toshko Todorov, Vice-President of the National Bulgarian Audit Office.

The high-level forum brought together SAI leaders, key stakeholders from across the INTOSAI community, including professional bodies, legislators, international organisations and members of the civil society and the academic circles. It provided the opportunity for SAI leaders to consider the important role they have in the sustaining of their SAI as a relevant institution for global digital development and sustainability.

The meeting was opened by the Auditor General of Georgia, Tsotne Kavlashvili. Participants were welcomed by Bruno Dantas, President of the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil and President of INTOSAI, and Einar Gorissen, Director General of IDI.

The Forum included presentations to share experiences, panel discussions, discussions on strategy development and discussions on topics related to collaborative work in the areas of sustainable development, inclusion and equity, climate action and technologies from the UN 2030 Agenda. During the meeting emphasis was placed on the principle of „Leave No One Behind“, policy coherence audit, and the continued importance of audits for the implementation of the SDGs.

The meeting also addressed the expanding horizons of technology audits: the risks, opportunities, role and audit strategies of SAIs in a world of rapidly developing digitalization and artificial intelligence.

*The INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) is an organ of INTOSAI, the International Professional Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, which supports the development of SAI capacity, mainly in the developing countries.