Amman, Nov. 8 (Petra) - Audit Bureau President Radhi Hamadeen and Netherlands Court of Audit Vice President Ewout Irrgang signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster institutional cooperation under the third phase of the Shiraka Partnership Program (2027–2031).
The agreement seeks to deepen the strategic partnership between the two institutions, improve auditing practices, and build institutional and professional capacities.
The signing took place on the sidelines of a regional conference in Tunisia marking the conclusion of the program’s second phase (2022–2026) and the launch of its third phase (2027–2031). The conference was organized by the Netherlands Court of Audit and gathered supreme audit institutions from nine Arab countries.
Hamadeen said the partnership reflects the Audit Bureau’s commitment to leveraging international cooperation to improve oversight and boost its impact on government performance.
He noted that the next phase will focus on expanding performance audits and shifting from an emphasis on procedural compliance to assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, as well as whether public resources deliver value and achieve their intended results.
He added that ensuring value for money is a strategic priority for the bureau, which seeks to improve public resource management, evaluate government programs and projects, and provide targeted audit recommendations to enhance public services and bolster accountability. These efforts, he said, will also support Jordan’s economic and public sector modernization goals.
For his part, Irrgang said cooperation with the Audit Bureau represents a model of sustainable institutional partnership based on mutual trust, knowledge transfer, and the exchange of expertise.
He added that launching the third phase of the Shiraka Partnership Program exhibits both institutions’ commitment to building on previous achievements and moving toward deeper cooperation focused on measurable results and institutional impact.
The MoU outlines seven strategic areas of cooperation, including strengthening the impact and methods of performance auditing, building data analysis capabilities, advancing the digital transformation of audit operations and institutional systems, improving communication and stakeholder engagement, and enhancing quality management systems.
It also provides for training and knowledge-sharing programs, the development of audit guidelines and methodologies, and the introduction of monitoring, evaluation and performance measurement mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of acquired knowledge and expertise and align cooperation activities with the bureau’s institutional priorities.
The conference reviewed the main achievements and outcomes of the program’s second phase, including specialized audit assignments across various service and economic sectors.
It also showcased progress in performance auditing, institutional capacity building, and oversight related to the Sustainable Development Goals, while examining practical experiences, lessons learned and challenges facing supreme audit institutions amid rapid changes in public financial management.
//Petra// HA
