Supreme Audit Institutions of Portuguese-speaking countries discuss good communication practices

Throughout the last week, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has participated in the XII General Assembly of the Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (OISC/CPLP). The conference addressed aspects related to the organization's planning and activities. Hosted in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau — the current president of the group —, the meeting ended on Friday (10/11). 

This year's technical theme was "Communicating and promoting the values and benefits of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs): effective communication and relationship with stakeholders". The TCU shared its experience in communicating with the press, among other initiatives.  

The official opening of the meeting took place on Wednesday morning (8/11), with the presence of the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The longest-serving Minister of the TCU, Walton Alencar Rodrigues, participated in the ceremony. In his speech, he described Brazil's work as the Chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). 

Represented by the TCU, Brazil has been involved in actions supporting digital transformation, implementing the ClimateScanner tool, promoting gender equity, and concluding coordinated audits on protected areas, as well as organizing JuriSAI. 

"The support from the OISC/CPLP for initiatives undertaken within INTOSAI plays a crucial role in our ability to progress together on high-priority issues for both our organization and the INTOSAI chair", noted the Minister and Secretary General of the OISC/CPLP. 

Rodrigues also highlighted the importance of collaborative work to solidify INTOSAI's role. "Strengthening INTOSAI's leadership and prominence, with the support of organizations such as the OISC/CPLP, is crucial for consolidating our voice at the local, regional, and global levels. Increasing, therefore, our influence and reach in various environments where the voice of control needs to be heard". 

Sustainability: an INTOSAI priority  

The longest-serving Minister recalled that the climate crisis, one of the most important issues facing the planet today, particularly affects vulnerable populations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. "We believe that the audit institutions of our organization have a fundamental role to play in ensuring the effectiveness of public policies in this sector", he said. 

Regarding the coordinated audit on protected areas, the first to be performed in the context of the OISC/CPLP, the Minister stated that the committed participation of the Courts of Accounts of the Portuguese-speaking African countries and East Timor enabled the successful completion of the work. 

The initiative aims to assess the progress of participating countries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to biodiversity. "By the end of 2023, we will publish the executive summary that will encompass, in a single map, the assessment of the management of over 2,500 protected areas in 24 countries across Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe", announced Rodrigues. 

THE OISC/CPLP 

The Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (OISC/CPLP) is an autonomous and independent association. It was created in 1995 to promote the development and improvement of its members through the technical, scientific, and cultural cooperation in the framework of control and supervision of the use of public resources. The audit institutions of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and East Timor are part of the OISC/CPLP.  

The OISC/CPLP General Assembly 

Held every two years, the conference brings together the SAIs of Portuguese speaking countries. The schedule of the meeting includes discussions on strategic planning, meetings of the Governing Board, expert panels, and sharing experiences related to technical issues. 

In this year's edition, the conclusions and recommendations arising from the debates focusing on "Communicating and promoting the values and benefits of SAIs: effective communication and relationship with stakeholders" will be consolidated in the Declaration of Bissau. The letter will be presented at the end of the assembly. The document is a commitment that should guide the actions of participating institutions regarding communication with target audiences. 

On Thursday (9/11), Brazil will be honored by the participants for its election to the United Nations (UN) Board of Auditors. 

More information on the XII General Assembly of the OISC/CPLP is available here.