IBAN goes virtual for meeting on Annual Activity Report

  • 23 Nov. 2020 -
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  • Last updated: 01 Dec. 2020 12:15

Each year the International Board of Auditors for NATO (IBAN) issues an Annual Activity Report on its audit work, key performance indicators, and usage of its human and financial resources of the previous year to the North Atlantic Council (NAC). The Report is sent to the Competent National Audit Bodies (CNABs) for comments, which are summarised and sent to the NAC with IBAN’s Annual Activity Report.

IBAN held a virtual meeting on 23 November 2020 with the national representatives of the CNAB to discuss IBAN’s 2019 Annual Activity Report, as well as audit issues of mutual interest. Representatives from CNABs of 27 of the 30 NATO member states were able to participate in the virtual meeting and provided comments on the 2019 Annual Activity Report. Once the NAC notes IBAN’s 2019 Annual Activity Report, it will be made available to the public on the website.

IBAN explained

IBAN is the independent, external audit body for NATO. It operates under a Nations-approved Charter and is composed of six independent Board Members (one Chair) appointed by the NAC from candidates nominated by the member states who are high-ranking officials of their national audit bodies or national administration.

IBAN’s function is to provide assurance and advice to the North Atlantic Council and, through their Permanent Representatives, to the Governments of member countries, through its audits; these audits are undertaken in accordance with the principles of the auditing standards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

IBAN audits the financial statements of all NATO bodies and the expenditures incurred by member countries or NATO bodies in respect of the NATO Security Investment Programme. It also audits the performance of NATO activities and programmes in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and economy. In addition, the NAC may task IBAN to audit other non-NATO multinational entities in which NATO has a particular interest. Special reports to the NAC can be issued by IBAN on relevant matters it considers to be worthy of attention.

Accountability and transparency to external stakeholders is also a core value of NATO and unclassified IBAN reports are disclosed to the public in accordance with a NAC-agreed policy.