‘Fishing together for a Pacific free of corruption, poverty’

Delegates from 19 Supreme Audit Institution member countries were welcomed by Gov. Marcelino Peterson to the State of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia for the 19th PASAI Congress held last Aug. 2-5.

Signs at the international airport and on the streets signaled the importance of this occasion, which saw development partners NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and INTOSAI Donor Secretariat (IDI, Brazil office) attend, as well as stakeholders from the World Bank and Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, and observers from the US Department of Interior (DOI) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Congress was opened by keynote speaker, President Peter M. Christian, followed by Mary Kendall, deputy inspector general, U.S. Department of Interior who gave special remarks. Both speakers emphasized the values of integrity, strength of character, trust and relationships as being key to the role of Auditors.

Lyn Provost, PASAI secretary general and auditor general of New Zealand gave the keynote address, presenting her report on “Reflections from our audits: Governance and Accountability.” Eight elements of good governance was the focus of her address and sharing the journey of PASAI. Provost completes her seven-year term this year and SAI heads acknowledged with great appreciation the remarkable work and esteemed leadership she has provided as secretary general of PASAI for the past six years.

Fighting corruption and poverty was the theme of the Congress. SAI heads discussed the challenges and successes of their roles in combating these prevalent issues in the Pacific. Key solutions considered were advocating for legislative changes, working more closely with other government agencies, increasing public awareness of the issues and engaging them in the fight against corruption and poverty. The international attendance beyond the Pacific at this year’s Congress signalled the growing value PASAI is having on the global auditing stage.

SAI Samoa was nominated as the new PASAI member on the INTOSAI governing board. Regionally, the chairmanship of PASAI was handed over by John Path, auditor general of Vanuatu to Ihlen Joseph, auditor general of Pohnpei FSM.

Participants enjoyed the generous hospitality of the SAI Pohnpei and their staff. A cultural reception and day excursions ensured delegates experienced the beauty and uniqueness of Pohnpei.

SAI heads conveyed their vote of thanks to the development partners, stakeholders, observers and hosting SAI for their invaluable contributions to the 19th PASAI Congress.