Saudi Fund for Improved SAI’s Performance (Saudi FISP) Meet & Greet – Highlights from the Side Event at INCOSAI XXV in Sharm El Sheikh
By: Manal Alduhaymi and Mohammed Alsubaihi, General Court of Audit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
During Sharm El-Sheikh INCOSAI XXV, the General Court of Audit (GCA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organized a side event titled “FISP Meet & Greet”, bringing together beneficiaries of the Saudi Fund for Improved SAI Performance (FISP). The Saudi FISP is a funding initiative established by the GCA under the leadership of its President, H.E. Dr. Hussam Alangari. Since 2020, the GCA has allocated 1 million U.S. dollars annually to support the needs of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in developing countries, helping INTOSAI respond to the increasing demand for direct capacity-building assistance. By 2026, the fund had reached a total value of 7 million U.S. dollars, with continued growth anticipated.
The FISP Meet & Greet provided an opportunity to hear firsthand feedback from SAIs that have benefited from the Saudi FISP. Designed to be brief, warm, and purposeful, the event created a space for beneficiary SAIs to connect directly, exchange reflections, and reaffirm their shared commitment to capacity development driven by practical, measurable outcomes.
While side events often compete with tight schedules during major congresses, the FISP Meet & Greet stood out for its balance: heartfelt in tone yet focused on the successful impact of the fund, and how support is translating into real institutional strengthening. It highlighted the meaningful impact of the fund and how its support is translating into tangible institutional strengthening across recipient SAIs.
The meeting brought together approximately 25 Auditors General and 70 participants, reflecting strong engagement from beneficiary SAIs. The session was moderated by Mohammed Alsubaihi from the General Court of Audit.
Opening remarks were delivered by His Excellency Dr. Hussam Alangari, President of the General Court of Audit of Saudi Arabia. His message was sincere and personal, speaking directly to the beneficiaries and underscoring the human dimension of capacity development.
Following his address, Mr. Einar Gørrissen, Director General of the INTOSAI Development Initiative, offered brief remarks highlighting the positive impact of the Saudi FISP. He emphasized the tangible improvements witnessed through their close coordination with beneficiary SAIs and the meaningful role the fund continues to play in strengthening institutional performance.
The strength of the Meet & Greet was evident in the diversity of its participants. Beneficiary institutions represented a wide range of regions, with attendees from Fiji, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kosovo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Gambia, Pakistan, Maldives, Chad, Lesotho, Jordan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Philippines, Albania, South Africa, AFROSAI-E, Palestine, Viet Nam, Panama, Botswana, Madagascar, El Salvador, and Antigua and Barbuda, in addition to representatives from the IDI and the CBC Chair.
This diversity was more than a list of countries—it illustrated the varied operational realities in which SAIs function. Some institutions are moving quickly toward digitalization, while others are still strengthening basic infrastructure. Some face constraints related to scale and the availability of human resources, while others are responding to increasing expectations for audit quality and impact. Despite these differences, the discussions and reflections during the Meet & Greet revealed a shared direction: SAIs everywhere are seeking sustainable ways to modernize, professionalize, and deliver stronger accountability outcomes for their citizens.
This tone was significant. In many development contexts, beneficiary engagement can feel “top-down.” In contrast, Meet & Greet created a respectful and balanced environment that placed beneficiary experience at the center. It reinforced an important principle: beneficiaries are not passive recipients—they are active partners shaping the success and relevance of capacity-building efforts.
Regional Reflections from Asia, Europe, and Africa
A highlight of the session was the inclusion of regional perspectives from heads of SAIs that have benefited from the funds. Their contributions added both structure and meaningful context to the discussion. Three Auditors General delivered remarks on behalf of their respective regions:
- Asia was represented by Auditor General Hussain Niyazy (Maldives).
- Europe was represented by Auditor General Vlora Spanca (Kosovo).
- Africa was represented by Auditor General Alexis Kamuhire (Rwanda).
Collectively, their messages reinforced a shared theme: support has the greatest impact when it strengthens practical capabilities—people, systems, tools—and when it is paired with learning, coordination, and genuine institutional ownership.
H.E. Vlora Spanca, Auditor General of Kosovo, captured this spirit in her remark:
“Saudi FISP reflects the true meaning of ‘sharing is caring.’”
These regional reflections also underscored an important truth: capacity development is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each region faces its own needs, constraints, and developmental realities, yet SAIs shares common goals—enhancing performance, strengthening credibility, and ensuring audit relevance in an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment.
Three Underlying Ideas That Shaped the Session’s Value
1) Turning Support into Sustainable Outcomes
Across the SAI community, a familiar lesson continues to resonate: the Saudi FISP has served as a direct and responsive funding mechanism that accelerates institutional improvement. Beneficiaries highlighted the importance of connecting support to tangible, lasting enhancements—such as strengthening staff capabilities, modernizing audit methodologies, and building systems that help SAIs operate more efficiently and effectively.
2) Modernization and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a shared priority
Whether SAIs is adopting audit management tools, improving data handling, or strengthening digital readiness across the audit cycle, modernization is increasingly essential to audit quality and impact. The Meet & Greet reaffirmed that supporting ICT is not just about acquiring tools, it also requires capacity buildings, training, governance, and sustainable integration into daily audit work.
A Unique Legacy: The Beneficiaries’ Reflections Book
One of the most distinctive and memorable elements of the Meet & Greet was the Beneficiaries’ Reflections Book, created for participating SAIs to record—in their own words—how the FISP has impacted their institutions.
The book did more than collect written statements. It served as a tangible, collective record of progress and partnership, bringing together reflections from SAIs across diverse regions into a single artifact. This compilation stands as evidence of the human and institutional impact made possible through development cooperation, showcasing how support translates into real improvements, strengthened capabilities, and a shared sense of purpose within the global SAI community.
Importantly, the book also demonstrates valuable practice: complementing formal reporting with the voice of beneficiaries. In capacity development, impact is not measured solely through processes, indicators, or output; it is also reflected in the lived experiences of institutions implementing change, often under significant constraints.
As highlighted during the event, the book is now preserved and displayed in the GCA Museum, serving as a visible reminder of the partnership behind FISP and the shared commitment to strengthening SAIs.
At its core, the Meet & Greet reflected a simple yet powerful idea: development cooperation is strongest when it is both structured and human—guided by governance and accountability yet enriched by genuine dialogue.
Looking Ahead
As SAIs navigate an environment defined by increasing complexity, emerging risks, rising public expectations, and rapid technological change, capacity development must remain responsive, practical, and sustainable. FISP embodies the commitment of the General Court of Audit and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support SAIs through a mechanism designed to strengthen capacity building in impactful ways.
The FISP Meet & Greet added an additional layer of value by creating a space where beneficiaries could connect, exchange insights, and contribute to the shared story of progress. The GCA reaffirmed its dedication to continuing the fund and supporting SAIs working in fragile contexts. It also emphasized that future allocations would prioritize institutions that have not previously received support and operate under challenging conditions. The scope of the fund will continue to focus on capacity building, professional training, and digital infrastructure.
Conclusion
The FISP Meet & Greet at INCOSAI XXV was warm in spirit and productive in substance—an event that strengthened partnerships, elevated beneficiary voices, and reinforced the shared purpose that lies at the heart of INTOSAI cooperation.
Until we meet again, with more lessons learned and more success stories from all partners in this fund—leaving no one behind.
