On March 19, 2024, the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Central Organization of Financial Control of the Syrian Arab Republic held an online knowledge sharing seminar on the issues of the audit of agriculture and environment.

Opening the session, Mr. Timur Makhmutov, Director of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, emphasized that the achievement of national goals in environmental management and agroindustry development is impossible without state support. Ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of this support requires special attention of the supreme audit institutions.

Ms. Inna Bazanova, Head of Inspection of the Department of Environmental Management and Agricultural Sector Audit of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, told about the framework of the sector’s development in Russia and the specificities of its audit. Her presentation focused on the main tasks and stages of control activities in this area. In addition, the speaker paid attention to the program documents and main indicators of Russian agricultural sector.

Ms. Irina Fedorova, Deputy Head of Inspection of the Department of Environmental Management and Agricultural Sector Audit, presented SAI Russia’s experience in environmental management audit. The speaker highlighted that the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation puts an emphasis on the program and project audit as they are the main tools for achieving the long-term goals and priorities of the country’s environmental policy.

In the panel discussion, Ms. Elena Proday, Head of Inspection of the Department of Environmental Management and Agricultural Sector Audit, stressed the importance of the cooperation between SAIs Russia and Syria in the audit of agriculture and environment.

Mr. Mohamad Barek, Chairman of Central Organization of Financial Control in the Syrian Arab Republic, Ms. Taghreed Alam, Director of Public Relations, and Mr. Ziad Al-Khatib, Assistant Director (Head of the SDG’s Oversight Team) elaborated on SAI Syria’s experience in this area.

Mr. Mohamad Barek stressed that the SAI Syria has paid great attention to the audit of agriculture and environment since 2021. He also noted the importance of promotion of this area in the country. Ms. Taghreed Alam, in turn, emphasized the relevance of state support for farms as well as of the environmental measures.

Mr. Ziad Al-Khatib pointed out that food shortage has worsened since the beginning of the military conflict in Syria. The speaker focused on key government measures to support the agricultural sector in the country. He also highlighted a number of the SAI’s recommendations aimed at effective, efficient and sustainable implementation of production plans in this area.

The participants agreed to continue sharing experiences in environmental and agricultural audit.