The SDG Dialog discusses the role of audit institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the experience of SAIs in auditing the SDGs. Within the framework of the conference Dmitry Basko made a presentation at the High-level panel: The role of Supreme Audit Institutions in quality assurance of effectiveness of public financing of SDGs, experience from different country perspectives. Deputy Chairman of the Court of the Accounts of Brazil Walton Alencar Rodrigues, auditor of the Chamber of the Accounts of Russia Dmitry Zaytsev, Deputy Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan Azer Bayramov, World Bank Country Manager in Azerbaijan Country Manager of the World Bank in Azerbaijan Stephanie Stallmeister also took part in the discussion.
In his presentation Dmitry Basko informed the conference participants about how the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Belarus supports the SDG principle of "Leave No One Behind" when auditing the effectiveness of the state budget. In Belarus, this principle refers primarily to addressing issues of social equity and helping the vulnerable. "The country has free medical care and education, organized a system of social protection for pensioners, the disabled, orphans, and persons in difficult life situations. The state allocates significant budget funds for these purposes," Dmitry Basko noted.
The SAI of Belarus carries out audits both at the stage of formation of the relevant state programs and in the course of their implementation. Preventive auditing methods are used, the achievement of targets and compliance with efficiency criteria are assessed. Based on the results of control measures, the SCC of Belarus develops proposals to correct the situation, reallocate funds, and, if necessary, to amend the legislation.
Dzmitry Basko cited some examples when the results of control and analytical activities revealed significant reserves of savings, which were subsequently directed to the development of health care institutions, construction of pre-school institutions, and other social issues. "In the State Control Committee's focus are also socially significant problems that concern people. These include prices for socially important goods and services, food security, wage payment issues and a number of others," said First Deputy Chairman of the SCC.
According to independent experts on the SDGs, Belarus is on the 34th place out of 163 countries of the rating by the level of achievement of the SDGs. Over the past seven years, our country has implemented the Agenda 2030 by almost 80%.
Also today on the margins of the conference Dmitry Basko had a working meeting with Walton Alencar Rodrigues, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Audit Institution of Brazil. They discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation within the framework of international organizations. It should be noted that the SAI of Brazil is currently the President of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), which unites the supreme audit institutions of 195 countries of the world.