On June 24, 2024 the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation held a multilateral knowledge-sharing seminar on “SAIs’ role in promoting integrity through improved anti-corruption measures” with the participation of the supreme audit institutions of Angola, Ethiopia and The Gambia.

Russian regional audit institutions also took part in the event. The participants discussed public audit institutions’ measures to counter corruption in public administration and prevent corruption violations within the SAIs.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Timur Makhmutov, Director of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, noted a significant increase in SAI Russia’s interactions with the SAIs of African countries. The Accounts Chamber’s events at the Economic and Humanitarian Forum Russia – Africa in July 2023 have given an additional impetus to this cooperation.

Russian experience in combatting corruption was presented by Ms. Irina Kartavykh, Head of Inspectorate of the Department of Public Administration Audit of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation. She highlighted the specifics and results of SAI Russia’s work on developing environment of integrity, its cooperation with other Russian agencies on the anti-corruption agenda, as well as promotion of a dialogue with foreign SAIs. The speaker focused on new developments and issues of application of the Methodological Recommendations on the identification and assessment of corruption risks elaborated by SAI Russia in 2023. In conclusion, Ms. Irina Kartavykh emphasized the importance and potential of the supreme audit institutions in preventing corruption.

The key anti-corruption measures of the National Audit Office of the Republic of The Gambia were highlighted by Mr. Baboucarr Ceesay, Director of Research, Parliamentary, Liaison and International Affairs. The speaker spoke about the main functions and powers of the SAI, as well as measures to ensure integrity in the public sector. The speaker stressed the importance of publishing SAIs’ reports and recommendations to increase transparency in public finance management.

Dr. Fausto de Carvalho Simões, Counsellor Judge of the Court of Auditors of the Republic of Angola, noted that Angola has made significant progress in the fight against corruption in recent years. The speaker highlighted the key anti-corruption measures of the SAI and their results contributing to increased transparency and integrity in public administration. Mr. Fausto de Carvalho Simões spoke about the control model used in SAI Angola and presented a comparative analysis of audit practices in different countries.

The final report was delivered by Mr. Aweke Tenaw Almaw, Assistant to the Auditor General – Chief of Staff of the Office of the Federal Auditor General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. According to the speaker, SAI Ethiopia actively cooperates with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and uses the platform of the Audit Stakeholders Forum. The speaker outlined the key achievements of SAI Ethiopia in combating corruption: development and implementation of internal regulations, enhanced audit coverage, intensification of information technology use and professional training.

Mr. Nikolai Kruchek, Head of the Division for the Prevention of Corruption and Other Offenses of the Department of Human Capital Development of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, took part in the discussion in the framework of the seminar.

In conclusion, the participants noted the relevance of the discussion and expressed interest in continuing the dialogue on other issues of public audit.