The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland (Irish Aid) and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in developing countries. The aim is to improve the use of public funds and deliver improved services, leading to better societies and improved lives in the world’s poorest countries. Working through the IDI, the grant will help enhance accountability ecosystems, promote transparency and good governance, and build public trust in SAIs in developing countries around the world. This partnership is supported by an annual core financial contribution towards implementing the IDI Strategic Plan 2024-29.

As nations strive towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the importance of accountability and effective public oversight for sustainable development is clear. Through their audit work, SAIs play an increasingly important role in SDG implementation, ensuring no one is left behind and building equal and inclusive societies. IDI puts an additional focus on supporting those SAIs most in need, operating in challenged and fragile states, through long-term partnerships. These include SAIs in Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, the Gambia and DRC. This aligns with the Irish Aid´s focus on supporting the furthest behind first.

“Advocating for better use of public money, particularly in the face of corruption and other threats, takes courage. In Irish Aid, we have a partner that never shies away from speaking up in the most challenging situations. IDI greatly appreciates Irish Aid’s continued partnership. As one of IDI’s longest and most reliable partners, Irish Aid aligns its technical, financial and moral support with our strategic plan, providing IDI much needed stability and predictability in a period of great uncertainty.” Mr. Einar Gørrissen, Director General, INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI)

In partnering with IDI, Irish Aid recognises that global challenges often require collective global action. As the development arm of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), IDI is also mandated to work at the global and regional level to support groups of SAIs and deliver long-term, global solutions. These include a global, digital Professional Education for SAI Auditors (PESA) certification and a rapid advocacy response mechanism for SAIs experiencing threats to their independence.

This latest partnership builds on a nearly 15-year relationship between Irish Aid and IDI. It will help SAIs in more than 140 developing countries to strengthen their capacity to act independently and professionally, undertake relevant, high quality audit work, and report publicly on the use of public funds and delivery of public services.