2023 Season’s Greetings from the INTOSAI WGEA Secretariat!
21.12.2023
The year 2023 has been full of successful happenings and contributions for the INTOSAI WGEA. The year was kicked off with the introduction of the new Work Plan 2023-2025. The work plan’s projects are categorized under two thematic hubs, climate and biodiversity, in addition to green economy. Thematic events, discussions, and a literature review were initiated based on the themes of these hubs throughout the year. Two major collaborative projects, the ClimateScanner led by SAI Brazil and Cooperative Audit on Climate Change Adaptation Actions led by IDI have taken off and WGEA is privileged to partner with them.
Alongside introducing the new Work Plan, the INTOSAI WGEA organized and participated in multiple important events during 2023. In March, the INTOSAI WGEA Steering Committee meeting brought together over 20 member SAIs in Rabat, Morocco. The INTOSAI WGEA was also present at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) of 2023, held in July in New York, USA. Moreover, the INTOSAI WGEA co-organized two panel discussions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in UAE this year, the other in close collaboration with the SAI UAE. The year has also featured topical discussions and cooperation with important stakeholders, such as OECD, INTOSAI Donor-Cooperation, IFAC and IPSASB, as well as University of Helsinki, just to mention a few. The Secretariat has supported WGEA regions and participated in AFROSAI, ASOSAI, COMTEMA, EUROSAI and PASAI meetings both in-person and with online arrangements. We hope to continue the enthusiastic work and meaningful partnerships in environmental auditing in 2024!
The number of WGEA members has continued to grow in 2023 and now includes 86 SAIs. New enforcements also joined the Secretariat in 2023, as India Roland was welcomed back from study leave, and Kati Hirvonen started as a project specialist in February. Nella Virkola and Fanni Kuittinen started as interns in the Secretariat in November.
The Secretariat will be closed on 23-26 December 2023 due to Christmas holidays, so we will get back to any inquiries from 27 December onwards.
Looking into the new year, the INTOSAI WGEA Secretariat is eagerly awaiting the 22nd Assembly that is held in Rovaniemi, Finland in January 2024. By the end of 2023, the Secretariat has been going full steam ahead with planning and organizing the Assembly. We look forward to welcoming member SAIs and respective delegations to the Arctic Circle in January 2024!
We wish everyone a happy New Year 2024!
With our warmest season’s greetings,
The INTOSAI WGEA Secretariat
