During the visit, experts of the State Audit Office of Latvia provide support to colleagues from the Office of the Director of Audit of the Commonwealth of Dominica (SAI Dominica) to complete working on a support plan for improving the performance of the institution. The cooperation takes place within the Global Integrity Initiative (GSAI) of the Development Initiative (IDI) established by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
Within the framework of GSAI, the SAI Latvia together with SAI Dominica have identified areas of support that are crucial for the operation of the institution and in which support will be provided by Latvian colleagues:
- Improvement of auditing environment in the institution, including elaboration of procedures and methodologies, as well as organization of trainings in practical issues of auditing;
- Strengthening the institutional independence;
- Development of information and communication technology infrastructure and support of information system audits.
During the cooperation, the colleagues of SAI Latvia met with the management of the State Chancellery of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the State Treasury, the leading certification authority for European Union funds, the State Office for Gender Equality, the Human Resources Department of the State Administration to discuss the role and challenges of supreme audit institution in public administration and financial management system of Dominica. Considering the role of mass media in promoting the integrity of public sector, the colleagues of SAI Latvia also discussed the role of mass media and issues of cooperation with media representatives of the region, who emphasised the need to strengthen the initiated cooperation with SAI in a wider dissemination of the results of auditing and shaping impact.
One of the targets of the GSAI is a SAI which faces major challenges. Also, this initiative envisages creating mechanisms for projects to be carried out in close cooperation between ARI, donors, and support providers. It ensures coordination and tailored support to the unique needs and capabilities of each SAI.
At the same time, the GSAI initiative makes improving capabilities and performance of ARIs possible by mobilizing stable support for long-term capacity building, thereby also contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. As independent oversight bodies, SAIs play a vital role in strengthening and developing effective, accountable, and transparent public institutions.
The program is financed from the financial resources of international donors and INTOSAI IDI, as well as the financial and technical resources of cooperation partners, and its first phase is planned to be implemented by 2025. This program will support the SAIs of Belize, Benin, Dominica, Haiti, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Tajikistan.
International cooperation of the State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia:
• Holds elected positions in the governing bodies of EUROSAI, a regional organisation of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), serves on the Contact Committee, of the Cooperation Platform between the SAIs of the EU Member States and the European Court of Auditors, and acts as an auditor of international organisations;
• Ensures participation and professional input in the INTOSAI and EUROSAI International Working Groups and the INTOSAI Financial Auditing Standards Subcommittee;
• Provides development and support to the SAIs of other countries and offers services in the international consulting market as a professional, highly qualified, and experienced consultant in the field of public sector audits.
About the State Audit Office of Latvia
The State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia is an independent, collegial supreme audit institution. The purpose of its activity is to find out whether the actions with the financial means and property of a public entity are legal, correct, useful and in line with public interests, as well as to provide recommendations for the elimination of discovered irregularities. The State Audit Office conducts audits in accordance with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions INTOSAI (ISSAI), whose recognition in Latvia is determined by the Auditor General.
100 years of AUDIT STRENGTH
On 16 August 2023, the State Audit Law will turn 100 years old. With the adoption of this Law, the State Audit Office from a formal de facto institution founded on 2 December 1918 became a de jure independent, collegial supreme audit institution of the Republic of Latvia. The State Audit Office is one of the independent state institutions enshrined in the Satversme (Constitution) of Latvia. The Constitution was signed by Roberts Ivanovs as the secretary of the Constitutional Assembly, who was then confirmed as the Auditor General. He worked as the first Auditor General for 12 years. His signature confirmed the text of our Constitution alongside that of Jānis Čakste.
Additional information
Ms Signe Znotiņa-Znota
Head of PR and Internal Communication Division
Ph. + 371 67017671 | M. + 371 26440185 | E-mail: signe.znotina-znota@lrvk.gov.lv