Chairmanship of CAROSAI passed to the Court of Audit Aruba during the XII CAROSAI Congress
CAROSAI Congress is always a unique experience in every country attended. SAI Aruba went beyond in providing a hospitable atmosphere, conducive for learning and sharing experiences. Although the sessions were intense, the beauty of the Island was not lost on the participants.
During the week of May 15th to May 19th, 2022, the XII CAROSAI Congress was organized in Aruba by the Court of Audit Aruba. CAROSAI is the Caribbean Organisation for Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) consisting of 23 member states in the Caribbean region. CAROSAI’s main mandate is to increase the exchange of knowledge and experiences, expand training and continuing education possibilities, increase the importance of audit function in the public sector, render technical assistance and support, and strengthen cooperation between members SAIs.
The theme during the XII CAROSAI Congress “Targeting Superior Audit Impact” promotes accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness. The first day included a Master Class given by Mrs. Carol Bellringer and Mrs. Sheila Dodds of the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF), and Deputy Auditor General of the Office of the Auditor General, British Columbia, where a lecture and workshop were given on how to communicate effectively with the legislature, the media, and other stakeholders. During the week, there were presentations on Small Island Challenges, Retention of qualified staff, Limited scope for SAI financial independence and Stakeholder engagement and implementation of SAI recommendations was given by Mr. Khalid Hamid and Ms. Hege Larsen of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability (CIPFA/CARTAC). Furthermore, Mr. Ola Hoem of INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) spoke on the Performance Measurement Framework/Strategy Performance Measurement and Reporting. The Lead Paper on Targeting Superior Audit Impact was presented by SAI Jamaica while the Country Paper and Panel Discussion on Small Island Challenges was led by Mrs. Xiomara Croes-Williams, followed by a Panel Discussion on the topic Real Time Audit, which was presented by Mrs. Miriam de Cuba of SAI Aruba and Ms. Fiona Kinston from SAI Guyana.
It is for the first time that this congress was held in a hybrid format where participants and other stakeholders had the opportunity to follow and hold online presentations. The Congress was also live-streamed, thus enabling greater viewership, which could only auger for an increased awareness of all SAIs in the region. In other words, targeting impact at our regional level. The organization of CAROSAI was content to have many participants from different countries join the sessions virtually. The participants and other stakeholders were also able to interact virtually on the various topics. There were virtual presentations from stakeholders from different countries, namely Mrs. Patricia Mc Kenzie of the World Bank in Washington D.C. speaking on Enhancing Accountability through Independent SAIs. Mrs. Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo of Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) in New Zealand on the Small Island Challenges (Sharing of Experiences). Goodwill Ambassador the Right Honorable Helen Clarke of IDI in Norway. Also Mrs. Deborah Sprietzer, Mrs. Allizon Milicich, Mr. Brian Barnier, Mr. Jason Wilks and Mr. Osvaldo Rudlof of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in New York, Washington D.C., Peru and Chile on the Digital Technology and LOTA/pICTure.
The acting and incoming chair of INTOSAI, represented by Minister Vital do Rêgo Filho, was also present during the congress and invited all CAROSAI delegates to the INTOSAI Congress this November to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Superior Auditor of the Federation of Mexico, Mr. David Colmenares Páramo, gave a presentation on the SAI Impact: Audit of the SDGs.
The General Plenary sessions were also held where an amendment was passed establishing that member states can both participate and cast their votes virtually during meetings. The minutes and the financial reports from the last congress held in Georgetown, Guyana, in June 2019, were also approved by the members present. During this congress, the chairmanship of CAROSAI was passed from the Auditor General of Supreme Audit Institute (SAI) Guyana, Mr. Deodat Sharma, to the Chairwoman of Court of Audit Aruba, Mrs. Xiomara Croes-Williams. The following members were also elected as new officers to the Executive Committee: Mrs. Sue Winspear of SAI Cayman Islands, Mr. Alphons Gumbs of SAI St. Maarten, Mrs. Sandra Stephens Malcolm of SAI Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr. Deodat Sharma of SAI Guyana, senior adviser, while Mr. Dean Evanson of SAI Antigua and Barbuda was elected as Auditor. Mrs. Pamela Monroe Ellis of SAI Jamaica is the Secretary General and Mr. Terrance Bastian of the Office of the Auditor General of Bahamas was elected as the new vice chairman of CAROSAI. The Second General Plenary concluded with sessions on developing the Strategic Plan facilitated by Mr. Freddy Ndjemba of IDI.
Aside from the congress, the program included social, educational and cultural events. A symposium was organized together with the University of Aruba focusing on the Small Island Challenges. Secondly, a Cultural Night was hosted together with the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba and finally an island bus tour was organized, where the Aloe factory & Museum, the Mural artworks in San Nicolas and the water and energy plant (WEB), were visited. The various cultural, social and educational events showcased the talents and skill sets that exist in Aruba and it also showed that audit institutions in the Caribbean region despite language differences exist in similar environments and contexts and thus face similar challenges. Throughout the week, the exchanges were dynamic, the attention to detail provided by SAI Aruba was exceptional and the evening cultural visits to the University and Museum were extraordinary.
The Congress forum created a safe space where the regional SAI leadership shared their experiences, challenges, processes and it also provided opportunities for them to learn from each as they all strive to develop strategies that can create more impactful supreme audit institutions across the regions. SAI Aruba is beyond appreciative of the attendance of all members and participants during the XII CAROSAI Congress. It was a very informative, productive, educational, and successful congress where members had the opportunity to meet old and new delegates. SAI Aruba is honored to carry the chair of CAROSAI for the upcoming three years and look forward to continuing being part of the vision of CAROSAI: ”Strong CAROSAI for stronger SAIs in the Caribbean”.
The XII CAROSAI Congress success is thanks to your participation and the intense collaboration of so many behind the scenes. We also wish to thank the President and members of Parliament, the Prime Minister of Aruba, the Minister of Finance and Culture and the Minister of Education for taking time out to attend activities, which shows the Government’s continued support to the Court of Audit Aruba and their dedication to continued accountability and transparency within Aruba.
Our sincere gratitude to all. Masha danki.
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