Saudi Arabia Participates in the First Steering Meeting on the Global Project for the Independence of SAIs

   Paris, September 11, 2025, SPA -- Reaffirming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to supporting the independence of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to enable them to perform their work effectively and efficiently, the Kingdom, represented by President of the General Court of Audit (GCA) Dr. Hussam Alangari, participated today in the first steering meeting of the Global Project for the Independence of SAIs, held in Paris with the participation of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank (WB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
   Dr. Alangari noted that the Kingdom, represented by the GCA, takes pride in being part of this wide-ranging global initiative, which constitutes an ambitious effort to enhance the independence of SAIs worldwide. He emphasized the critical role independence plays in strengthening the effective performance of SAIs, thereby enhancing efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the public sector, as well as the key responsibilities SAIs must undertake to preserve their independence and address the challenges that threaten it.
   Dr. Alangari stressed that the GCA, under the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has attained full independence through amendments to its statutes. These amendments granted the GCA legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and direct reporting to the King, which has strengthened its ability to promote transparency and accountability and to perform its statutory functions effectively and independently. He pointed out that this achievement forms part of the Kingdom’s active contributions to supporting international efforts aimed at securing the independence of SAIs.
   The GCA delegation to the meeting included Executive Vice President for Financial Audit and Compliance Lama Alhamadi, Audit Manager May Alturki, and Audit Manager Ragad Alothaim, who presented their recommendations and views on the progress achieved under the project.
   The Global Project for the Independence of SAIs is a joint initiative of the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The project seeks to identify and understand good practices, highlight the positive impacts of SAI independence across different countries, and address the challenges facing those institutions.
   -- SPA