LocationsStrategic Dialogue of Supreme Audit Institutions on Joint Audits in Relation to the Sustainable Development Goals
Auditors launch joint oversight of public spending
May 25, 2026
Belgrade, 25 May 2026 – A two-day expert event titled “Strategic Dialogue of Supreme Audit Institutions on Joint Audits in Relation to the Sustainable Development Goals” opened today at the National Assembly in Belgrade. The event brought together representatives of Supreme Audit Institutions from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, as well as partners from Slovakia.
The aim of the gathering is to strengthen cooperation and explore possibilities for launching joint audits of public fund usage to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly at the local level. Effective public financial management plays a key role in reducing corruption, while Supreme Audit Institutions are an important pillar in this process. However, they often face limited capacities and insufficient coordination, which slows progress in aligning with European Union standards in financial control. Therefore, strengthening internal audit and oversight mechanisms is critically important.
The Auditor General and President of the State Audit Institution of the Republic of Serbia, Ivica Gavrilović, emphasised that the Sustainable Development Goals represent an opportunity for all. “Success requires the synergy of all stakeholders – government, civil society, academia, and donors”, Gavrilović stated. He added that he would like to see the establishment of a high-level regional forum as one of the concrete outcomes of the partnership with UNDP. “This would serve as our joint platform for continuous dialogue, exchange of experiences, and faster achievement of the shared goals we all strive towards”, Gavrilović underlined.
The Chairman of the Committee on Finance, State Budget and Control of Public Spending in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Veroljub Arsić, said that the task of the Finance Committee, as well as that of Supreme Audit Institutions, is to ensure that public funds are spent where they will have the greatest impact on citizens’ quality of life. “According to the latest data, Serbia ranks 33rd out of 167 countries worldwide in the SDG Index for 2025, with a score of 78.16. This is a significant achievement, but we are aware that serious challenges lie ahead”, Arsić said. He added that he supports the recommendations of the State Audit Institution and stressed that the adoption of the Development Plan, the overarching strategic document defining the long-term development directions of the Republic of Serbia and their link to the Sustainable Development Goals, is a key process that should be finalised.
The event is organised within the regional initiative “Smart Finance for Responsible Local Governance”, implemented with the support of Slovakia by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul Regional Hub and the UNDP Office in North Macedonia, in cooperation with UNDP offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, and Serbia. The initiative focuses on improving audits related to the Sustainable Development Goals, preventing corruption, and increasing transparency by strengthening local audit and control systems.
“This dialogue is not only about audit, but above all about trust – trust that public funds are managed responsibly, transparently, and in the interest of citizens. The essence of the project goes beyond the technical aspects of auditing and focuses on ensuring that public resources truly contribute to a better quality of life, through improved services, stronger local communities, and more equitable policies. Slovakia remains a reliable partner, not only as a donor but also as a country willing to share its experience. Joint audits, knowledge exchange, and a coordinated approach are powerful tools for overcoming challenges and delivering systemic change”, said Katarina Konswaldová, Deputy Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Serbia, thanking UNDP for its key role in coordinating the project and strengthening regional cooperation.
The UNDP Serbia Resident Representative, Yakup Beris, highlighted that strong audit institutions are essential, but for citizens, accountability becomes visible only when it translates into the quality of everyday services – from education and communal services to local development. “That is why it is important to jointly assess whether public funds are truly delivering tangible results for citizens. Regional cooperation and joint audits provide an opportunity to develop comparable approaches, exchange knowledge, and respond more effectively to shared challenges. UNDP will continue to support partnerships that strengthen transparency, accountability, and better public financial management, especially at the local level”, Beris said.
“Activities identified by UNDP within the project ‘Smart Finance for Responsible Local Governance’ represent significant value and offer opportunities for cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and skills among State Audit Institutions in various areas. Conducting parallel audits is a unique way for staff to learn from each other, deliver high-quality final audit reports, and ensure added value for society and improved services for citizens”, said Maksim Acevski, Auditor General of the State Audit Office of the Republic of North Macedonia.
During the event, discussions will focus on selecting joint audit topics, defining cooperation models, forming teams of auditors from different countries, and determining how to present joint findings.
