The annual meeting of the Working Group on Municipality Audit (WGMA) of the European Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI) will take place in Riga from 16 to 17 September. It is organised by the State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia by bringing together more than 50 auditors from 22 European countries. The event aims to exchange experiences among supreme audit institutions (SAIs) by giving participants the opportunity to share lessons learned and best practices from the public sector auditing.
“The State Audit Office of Latvia welcomes the meeting of the EUROSAI WGMA in Riga, which is a high assessment of our professional contribution and a confirmation of Latvia’s authority in the international audit community. The State Audit Office of Latvia was one of the main initiators of the establishment of this working group in 2016, and it has become an important platform for cooperation among supreme audit institutions, development of methodology and exchange of best practices in the field of municipality audits. In May 2024, the State Audit Office of Latvia took over the leadership of this Working Group, which confirms our competence and leadership in this area. International cooperation within the framework of EUROSAI has significantly contributed to the professional growth of auditors, promoting a broader perspective, impartiality and reliability of audit results. The State Audit Office of Latvia has introduced several innovative support tools for local and regional governments, such as self-assessment questionnaires, open data compilations and methodological manuals, which are based on internationally recognised approaches,” noted Mr Oskars Erdmanis, Council Member of the State Audit Office of Latvia and the Chair of the EUROSAI WGMA.
On the first day, 16 September 2025, a workshop will be held, dedicated to the role and influence of SAIs in the implementation and development of regional policy. The workshop will be held in three sessions.
In the first session, Latvian representatives will provide an insight into the main challenges in the development and implementation of regional policy in Latvia, as well as present proposals on how SAIs can contribute to regional development through their audit work.
The panel discussion will feature:
- Mr Raimonds Čudars, Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia,
- Mr Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council,
- Mr Gunārs Ansiņš, Chairman of the Liepāja City Council and First Vice-Chair of the ENVE (Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy) of the European Committee of Regions,
- Mr Daunis Auers, Chair of the Board of the LaSER Think Tank, Professor of the University of Latvia,
- Ms Silvija Nora Kalniņš, Head of Strategy and International Relations of the State Audit Office of Latvia.
In the second and third sessions, representatives from 12 SAIs including Estonia, Italy, Israel, Greece, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary, will share their audit experience on regional policy planning and development, funding planning and availability, as well as on creating synergies between support programmes.
On the second day, 17 September 2025, the working group will decide on the implementation of its 2025 work plan and planned activities in 2026.
Representatives of SAIs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Croatia, Estonia, Italy, Israel, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, Hungary and North Macedonia have confirmed their participation in the event.
The EUROSAI WGMA is a cooperation platform for European SAIs responsible for municipality auditing. The working group promotes cooperation and the exchange of best practices among SAIs. The activities of this group are essential to ensure the professional development of auditors and to promote good governance practices at European and municipal level in the public interest.
In 2024, the State Audit Office of Latvia took over the leadership of the WGMA, continuing its active involvement and strengthening cooperation among European SAIs. This step confirms the commitment of SAI Latvia to promoting professional development, the exchange of best practices and the development of high-quality municipality audits across Europe.
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. Upon discovering deficiencies, the State Audit Office of Latvia provides recommendations for their elimination, but it informs law enforcement authorities about potential infringements of the law.
Additional information
Ms Gunta Krevica
Head of Communication Division
Ph. 23282332 | E-mail: Gunta.Krevica@lrvk.gov.lv