New York: The Panel of External Auditors convened for its sixty-fifth session at the United Nations Headquarters, chaired by Gareth Davies, Comptroller and Auditor General of the United Kingdom. The meeting, held from 24 to 25 November, brought together the Heads of 11 Supreme Audit Institutions tasked with auditing the UN Secretariat, its funds and programs, specialized agencies, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to EMM, the Panel is composed of independent external auditors from Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with the Russian Federation participating as observers. It serves as a unique forum for exchanging information and methodologies to enhance the quality of external assurance processes. The goal is to deliver high-quality, standards-based assurance to ensure that financial information provides a transparent and accurate basis for decision-making across the UN and its affiliated entities.

The recent meeting also included discussions by the Panel's Technical Group from 19 to 21 November, focusing on technical matters to prepare for the main session. The Panel emphasized the need to strengthen financial resilience, improve cooperation, and modernize governance within the UN system in light of mounting financial pressures. It called for disciplined cost management, clearer tracking of reform benefits, and greater integration to reduce duplication of efforts.

Key areas highlighted by the Panel included the necessity for robust internal controls, stronger oversight, and coordinated digital transformation with enhanced cybersecurity. The Panel stressed the importance of performance audits to ensure efficiency and accountability, reaffirming its commitment to support the Secretary-General and Chief Executives Board in enhancing the agility, transparency, and effectiveness of the UN system. These efforts are particularly crucial given the current challenges and the UN80 Initiative.