(Historic gathering of the world’s public sector auditors will focus on environmental auditing,sustainable development, the value and benefits of supreme audit institutions) [Pretoria] About 600 international auditors-general, finance ministers, parliamentarians and delegates from around the world will gather in Johannesburg (Sandton) for the premier 20th International Congress of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in November 2010.
XX INCOSAI, as the week-long event is called, will be hosted by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) from 22 to 27 November at the Sandton Convention Centre. In 2008, the AGSA successfully hosted the 11th general assembly of the African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI).
INTOSAI, the international body of public sector auditors, has 188 member states, making the organisation the second largest global organisation after the United Nations. South Africa’s Auditor-General Terence Nombembe is the current president of the AFROSAI, the largest of INTOSAI’s seven regional working groups. During the November congress, Nombembe will also be inaugurated as the chairperson of the world body, INTOSAI.
The primary focus of the November congress, which is held in a different part of the world every three years, will be on the value and benefits of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), environmental auditing, sustainable development and the launch of the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs). The resolutions of the congress will be tabled and published as the South African Accords.
‘It is fitting that our nation, united in its diversity, stands poised to host this auspicious event that brings SAIs of so many different cultures and languages together. As SAIs from around the world, our mandates are similar in that we need to add value to our societies by enabling accountability and governance within our respective public sectors. As South African SAI, we are especially aware of the importance of building public confidence in our young democracy’ says Nombembe. ‘I look forward to the opportunity this congress provides for us as SAIs to contribute towards more transparent and accountable audit systems and promote greater accountability as well as an improvement in the use and management of public resources. In this way we will be in a better position to accelerate the process of socio-economic development in all our countries.’
The aim of XX INCOSAI 2010 is to promote knowledge sharing, robust discussions and fruitful debates. Two theme reports will be delivered, titled: ‘The Value and Benefits of Supreme Audit Institutions’ and ‘Environmental Auditing and Sustainable Development’. The International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions will also be launched and countries will have the opportunity to sign the Global Audit on Climate Change.

MEDIA FAST FACTS
Congress title: XX INCOSAI 2010
Beneficiaries: The International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI)
Congress dates: 22 - 27 November 2010
Location: Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Expected delegates: 500
Congress host: Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA)
Main themes: I. The Value and Benefits of SAIs
                      II. Environmental Auditing and Sustainable Development
                      III. Launch of ISSAIs
Expected outcome: Publication of Johannesburg Accords