The 25th Meeting of the Undersecretaries of the GCC Audit and Accounting Bureaus was recently held, with Ahmed bin Salim Al-Rujaibi, Deputy Chairman of the State Audit Institution, leading the SAI delegation. The meeting, conducted via video conference from Doha, Qatar, focused on various topics aimed at improving institutional performance, including the discussion of research results and recommendations from the GCC Competition for Research and Studies in Auditing. Emphasis was placed on enhancing the role of applied research in enhancing audit tasks and institutional performance. Additionally, discussions were held on the development and utilization of professional manuals to ensure efficiency in audit tasks, with a focus on the Financial Audit Manual and the Manual of Audit of Disaster and Crisis Management.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the review of a plan to enhance cooperation and partnership with the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), with proposed projects discussed to benefit from the expertise of IDI, the development arm of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. The meeting also covered the status of signing the memorandum of understanding with King Fahd National Library to exchange information resources, publications, and expertise. Furthermore, discussions were held on the proposed topic for the third Gulf Symposium, focusing on professional developments in the field of audit, as well as the review of specialized training programs implemented in 2024 for member SAIs’ employees.
The meeting emphasized the importance of applied research and the implementation of recommendations to enhance institutional performance, with particular focus on the development and utilization of professional manuals to improve audit efficiency. The discussions centered on the updated Financial Audit Manual and the Manual of Audit of Disaster and Crisis Management, aiming to provide valuable guidance for member SAIs in conducting their audit tasks effectively. Another highlight was the review of a plan to enhance cooperation and partnership with the INTOSAI Development Initiative, with proposed projects aimed at benefiting from the expertise of IDI, the development arm of INTOSAI.
The meeting also included discussions on the status of signing a memorandum of understanding with King Fahd National Library to exchange information resources, publications, and expertise. By fostering collaboration with external partners like IDI and King Fahd National Library, member SAIs can gain valuable resources and expertise to enhance their audit capabilities. Additionally, the proposed topic for the third Gulf Symposium and the discussion of specialized training programs for member SAIs’ employees show a commitment to ongoing professional development and capacity building within the GCC region.
In conclusion, the 25th Meeting of the Undersecretaries of the GCC Audit and Accounting Bureaus highlighted the importance of cooperation, partnership, and continuous professional development to enhance audit practices within the GCC region. Through discussions on applied research, the development and utilization of professional manuals, and collaboration with external partners like IDI and King Fahd National Library, member SAIs can strengthen their audit capabilities and improve institutional performance. The meeting’s focus on enhancing cooperation and partnership initiatives, as well as ongoing professional development programs, demonstrates a commitment to excellence in audit practices and institutional governance within the GCC.
