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Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters,...
Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 21 May 2026 4 MIN READ On Thursday 21 May 2026, the International Board of Auditors for NATO (IBAN) welcomed representatives of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of NATO member countries to NATO Headquarters in Brussels for the annual meeting of the Committee of Representatives of the Competent National Audit Bodies (CNAB). The meeting, chaired by IBAN Chair Sébastien Lepers, provided an important opportunity for dialogue between IBAN and Allied SAIs on the evolving challenges facing public sector auditing in an increasingly complex security environment. Throughout the day, Mr Lepers introduced and moderated the discussions, presented the key areas of cooperation between IBAN and national audit institutions, and concluded the meeting by highlighting the importance of continued collaboration among the Alliance’s external audit community. With representatives from 27 of NATO’s 32 Supreme Audit Institutions in attendance, the meeting demonstrated the strong interest of Allied SAIs in IBAN’s work and their continued support for its mission of providing independent external oversight of NATO’s common-funded activities. IBAN Activities and Audit Results A key part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting IBAN’s recent activities and audit work. Viveca Norman, Board Member, presented the IBAN Annual Activity Report, providing participants with an overview of the Board’s achievements, ongoing initiatives and strategic priorities. Carlo Mancinelli, Board Member, and Paula Gomez-Trueba, Performance Auditor at IBAN, each presented recent audit work carried out by the Board, offering valuable insights into IBAN’s audit methodologies, findings and recommendations. Their presentations generated productive exchanges on current audit challenges and emerging areas of oversight within NATO. These discussions contributed to a broader reflection on the role of public audit in strengthening accountability, effectiveness and sound governance across international organisations operating in complex and rapidly evolving environments. High-Level Discussions on Governance and Accountability The meeting featured a wide-ranging exchange of views on issues of strategic importance for the public audit community. Participants discussed transparency and accountability in the defence sector, the challenges of auditing public expenditure during periods of crisis and conflict, and the evolving role of auditors in ensuring robust governance while responding to changing security requirements. The importance of strengthening cooperation between IBAN, national Supreme Audit Institutions and the wider international audit community, including INTOSAI and EUROSAI, was also highlighted as a key factor in maintaining high standards of independence, professionalism and audit quality. The meeting was honoured by the participation of NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, who addressed participants. In her introductory remarks, she emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability and sound governance in supporting NATO’s effectiveness, credibility and ability to deliver on its core missions. The meeting also featured an intervention by Olha Pishchanska, Chairwoman of the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, who shared valuable insights on the challenges of conducting external public audit in a wartime environment. Drawing on the experience of Ukraine’s Supreme Audit Institution, she highlighted the difficulties of maintaining audit activities, safeguarding institutional independence and ensuring accountability for the use of public funds under conditions of conflict, operational disruption and heightened security risks. Balancing Security and Accountability A highlight of the meeting was a high-level panel discussion on one of the most pressing governance challenges facing democratic institutions today: balancing the protection of sensitive information with the requirements of transparency, accountability and public trust. Moderated by IBAN Chair Sébastien Lepers, the discussion examined the legitimate limits of secrecy, safeguards against excessive confidentiality, audit approaches for classified programmes, the role of parliaments and oversight bodies, and the governance challenges associated with multinational organisations such as NATO. Participants also explored the growing impact of cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on oversight and accountability frameworks. Link was copied to clipboard The panel brought together four distinguished speakers from the Supreme Audit Institution community: Orice Williams Brown, whose extensive experience within the United States Government Accountability Office provided valuable perspectives on institutional resilience, democratic accountability and oversight of sensitive public policies; Irena Segalovičienė, Auditor General of the Republic of Lithuania, who shared strategic insights into defence expenditure oversight, national security governance and the contribution of public audit to government priorities; Claudia Gardberg Morner, Deputy Auditor General of Sweden, who highlighted the importance of balancing confidentiality, independent oversight and public trust while strengthening institutional resilience; Csongor-Attila Dezső, Member of the Plenum of the Romanian Court of Accounts, representing President Mirela Călugăreanu, who contributed reflections on resilience, performance auditing and public accountability in complex environments. A common theme emerged throughout the discussion: security and transparency are not competing objectives. Sustainable public trust depends on democratic institutions being able to safeguard both. Strengthening Cooperation Across the Alliance The annual CNAB meeting once again demonstrated the value of close cooperation between IBAN and the Supreme Audit Institutions of Allied nations. Through the exchange of expertise, audit experience and perspectives on emerging risks, participants reinforced a shared commitment to accountability, transparency and good governance. As NATO continues to adapt to a rapidly changing security environment, independent external audit remains an essential contributor to effective governance and responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to collective defence. IBAN extends its sincere appreciation to all participants, speakers and representatives of the 27 Allied Supreme Audit Institutions who attended the meeting and whose engagement contributed to its success and to the continued strengthening of the Alliance’s audit community.
Speech Brief