Brazil Launches a New Chapter at the Helm of OLACEFS Citizen Participation Commission

In April, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) hosted the first meeting of the Citizen Participation Commission (CPC) of the Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS). The meeting gathered more than 27 representatives from supreme audit institutions (SAIs) that are members of the Commission and marked the beginning of a new working cycle focused on strengthening citizen participation in government oversight.

At the opening session, TCU's head of the Department for Institutional Relations, Manuel Moreira de Sousa, highlighted the strategic importance of the meeting. According to him, the moment provided an opportunity to renew commitments and collaboratively build an agenda aligned with the shared challenges and expectations of oversight institutions across the region.

Through dialogue and cooperation, we aim to lay solid foundations for more coordinated action that is better connected to society's needs, he said.

Aligning priorities

Key objectives of the meeting included presenting and aligning the activities set out in the 2026 Annual Operational Plan (POA), as well as discussing additional initiatives proposed by the Commission's chair.

The meeting also focused on strengthening institutional ties among CPC members, fostering closer integration among participants. As part of efforts to expand and consolidate the Commission, the inclusion of Colombia's Contraloría Departamental del Valle del Cauca as a new member was announced. In addition, representatives from other SAIs designated to follow CPC activities took part in the meeting for the first time.

Regional integration

Representatives from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and the Contraloría del Valle del Cauca contributed to the discussions.

In their opening remarks, participants shared their expectations for the new cycle. Concepts such as communication, collaboration, integration, commitment, focus, and governance emerged as central pillars for the Commission's work in 2026.

The exchanges highlighted a shared understanding among institutions of the importance of experience-sharing, regional coordination, and the strengthening of citizen participation practices.

Next steps

With the start of the new term, expectations are that CPC-led initiatives will make a tangible contribution to strengthening SAIs and bringing oversight institutions closer to society.

The Commission continues to serve as a strategic forum within OLACEFS for promoting transparency, dialogue, and citizen engagement in the oversight of public resources.