Aiwo, Naoero: More than 50 people from countries across the Pacific and as far away as Norway attended the 27th Congress of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), hosted by the Audit Office of Naoero from 25 to 27 August 2026.
Representatives of 20 PASAI member offices attended the 3-day meeting which had the theme of, “Sustainable audits for sustainable islands.”
In her opening address, the Acting President, the Honourable Charmaine Scotty MP, highlighted the importance of government agencies embracing technology in responsible ways and in the interests of the public they serve.
In a keynote address, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Naoero, the Honourable Isabela Dageago MP, said that SAIs promote integrity, provide assurance that public resources are managed responsibly and help governments deliver better services.
The Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand, Grant Taylor, in his capacity as the Secretary-General of PASAI, spoke of the growing expectations that people have of governments and the role of audit offices in functional public financial management systems.
“Citizens want assurance that public resources are used wisely and efficiently. By shining a light on what is working and what is not, audit offices help strengthen public trust in government,” Mr Taylor said.
Auditors general, public auditors and others in similar roles from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island sub-regions of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, as well as PASAI Secretariat staff and other stakeholders with an interest in national integrity and public financial management systems discussed a range of issues during the gathering.
Through a series of panel discussions, Congress attendees reflected on matters related to using artificial intelligence, engaging with stakeholders such as the Legislature and citizens, auditing government responses to climate change and evaluating government progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals established under the 2030 Agenda.
Immediately following Congress on 28 August 2026, PASAI’s Governing Board held its 48th meeting in which it considered operational and strategic matters critical to the support by the Secretariat to PASAI’s members.
PASAI released a detailed communiqué following the event and looks forward to the next Congress to be hosted by the Office of the Auditor General for Solomon Islands.
PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Attendees of the 27th PASAI Congress
Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand and Secretary-General of PASAI, Grant Taylor; Director of Audit for the Cook Islands and Polynesia Representative on the PASAI Governing Board, Desmond Wildin; and Auditor General of Naoero and PASAI Governing Board Chair, Manoharan Nair
Attendees of the 48th PASAI Governing Board meeting
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Contact information:
Esther Lameko-Poutoa, Chief Executive PASAI, Auckland, New Zealand
E: secretariat@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
