TCU Reaffirms Commitment to Environmental Oversight at International Meeting

From September 30 to October 2, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) took part in the 13th General Assembly of the Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (OISC/CPLP), held in Luanda, Angola. The event brought together representatives from the courts of accounts of the eight CPLP member countries, as well as from Macau, and concluded with the adoption of the Luanda Declaration. The document reaffirms the commitment of Supreme Audit Institutions to tackling climate change and promoting sustainability across the community of Portuguese-speaking countries.

TCU Minister Benjamin Zymler attended the event in his capacity as Secretary-General of OISC/CPLP and highlighted the organization's strategic role in promoting joint audits and strengthening technical cooperation among the member countries' courts of accounts. This meeting is not merely a transition of leadership but also a milestone in our collective journey of cooperation and capacity building, guided by the principles of good governance and transparency , he stated. TCU Deputy Minister Weder de Oliveira also attended the event.

Cooperation and Institutional Progress

During the Assembly, participants reviewed the main achievements under the presidency of Guinea-Bissau and outlined the strategic priorities for the coming years, now under Angola s leadership. Minister Zymler highlighted the progress achieved through the Coordinated Audit on Gender-Based Violence an unprecedented initiative within OISC/CPLP that placed women's and girls' rights at the center of the institutional agenda and reinforced the commitment of audit institutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

Regarding environmental issues, Minister Zymler emphasized the outcomes of the Coordinated Audit on Protected Areas and the dissemination of its executive summary, both milestones in Portuguese-speaking countries' cooperation on environmental oversight. He also underscored TCU's leadership in promoting and applying ClimateScanner, a tool that assesses public policies related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

We take great pride in seeing CPLP institutions strengthening government oversight over environmental policies. The collective effort of OISC/CPLP has helped establish coordinated audits as an effective instrument for shared learning and social impact , Zymler remarked.

Luanda Declaration: a shared commitment to sustainability

Adopted at the conclusion of the Assembly, the Luanda Declaration reinforces the role of Supreme Audit Institutions as key actors in the global climate agenda, in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/231, which formally recognizes the importance of environmental audits. The document emphasizes the need to strengthen environmental and coordinated audits, to invest continuously in auditors technical training, to promote environmental education and awareness, to foster citizen participation and transparency in audit results, to develop technological tools such as ClimateScanner, and to adopt internal sustainability policies, leading by example.

Strategic Alignment and Continuity

Prior to the Assembly, an OISC/CPLP Governing Board Meeting was held in Luanda to consolidate strategic priorities for the coming years, focusing on coordinated audits, technological innovation, technical training, and institutional strengthening. During the meeting, members approved the implementation and revision report of the 2025 Action Plan, and the revision of the 2023 2028 Strategic Plan, which will guide the actions and expected outcomes set out in the new 2026 2028 Work Plan. The draft Luanda Declaration was also validated.

At the close of the 13th General Assembly, Angola assumed the OISC/CPLP presidency for the 2025 2027 term, represented by Judge Councillor Sebastião Domingos Gunza, President of the Court of Accounts of Angola. Brazil will remain as Secretary General, under the coordination of Minister Benjamin Zymler, reaffirming the TCU's commitment to strengthening oversight, good governance, and sustainable development among Portuguese-speaking countries.

OISC/CPLP stands today as a dynamic space for dialogue and technical cooperation among CPLP SAIs. The TCU is honored to contribute to this ongoing journey, which blends tradition and innovation in pursuit of a sustainable future for all , Zymler concluded.