Canberra, Australia: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) this week brought together government auditors from Australasia and the Pacific Islands for a 3-day meeting of the Pacific Regional Working Group on Environmental Auditing themed ‘Auditing in the blue economy’.
The Australian National Audit Office hosted the hybrid event from 16 to 19 September in Canberra, Australia. Acting Auditor-General of Australia, Rona Mellor PSM, and Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand and Secretary General of PASAI, John Ryan, opened the proceedings.
Staff from state, territorial and national audit offices who are involved in environmental audit work, climate reporting and sustainability assurance attended meeting sessions in person or online.
Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, gave the keynote address at the meeting, which had sub-themes of ‘Oceans and waterways’ and ‘Climate change and natural disasters.’
Participants heard from international guest speakers and panellists on topics including engaging with legislatures and creating impact. The Public Auditor of Guam, Benjamin JF Cruz, shared his perspective on engaging with senators.
The Secretary General of the international working group on environmental auditing, Dr Vivi Niemenmaa, facilitated a practical seminar on auditing government action on climate change.
PASAI Program Director, Mike Scott, facilitated a panel discussion exploring audit quality in the Pacific and challenges in environmental auditing, followed by a Q and A session. Quality Assurance Manager at the Office of the Auditor-General of the Republic of Fiji, Risiate Baba, was a panel member and shared his office’s approach to assuring audit quality, emphasising that as auditors, “We do not compromise on quality.”
Mr Scott also spoke about auditing public sector performance at a session focused on the blue economy, noting how important the blue economy is to Pacific nations as coastal communities.
Audit Manager at the Office of the National Public Auditor for the Federated States of Micronesia, Miriama Naivalu, shared findings from audits related to sustainable fisheries. Fishing and licence fees comprise 52% of the state revenue.
Audit Manager at the Tonga Office of the Auditor General, Cathreen Mafi, also shared findings from an audit on Tonga’s preparedness for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
And Senior Auditor at the New Caledonia Territorial Chamber of Accounts, Jacques Wadrawane, spoke during a session on audits about natural disasters.
Representatives from some of the 9 Pacific Island audit offices who are currently working on a collaborative audit on climate change presented on their work, focusing on sea level rise/coastal erosion, water security and climate change adaptation planning.
PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Contact information:
Mike Scott, Program Director PASAI, Auckland, New Zealand
E: mike.scott@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
