SAI20 Communique handover to Deputy President

Honourable Deputy President, Paul Mashatile

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly

Chair of the National Council of Provinces

Esteemed colleagues.

It is both an honour and a privilege to have this unique opportunity to formally hand over the SAI20 Communique (declaration), an outcome of collaboration and shared commitment among Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from across the G20 countries and beyond. SAI20, as an engagement group of the G20, brings together the SAIs - or Auditors General - who are uniquely positioned to provide not only post-facto assessments, but also foresight, insight, and oversight in support of inclusive and sustainable development. Through our work, we enable accountability, transparency, and the strengthening of democratic processes. This year’s summit, hosted for the first time on African soil, marked a historic moment. It offered a valuable and timely opportunity to bring African perspectives, challenges, and aspirations to the forefront of the global G20 dialogue. I am pleased that, beyond G20 members, we had in attendance some of the key players on the continent as observer countries to contribute to this important engagement.

The themes we chose of Infrastructure and bridging the skills gap for sustainable development, were deliberate and relevant to our current complex realities. Infrastructure remains a cornerstone of economic growth and social equity, while skills development is essential for building a future-ready workforce.

The communique I have the privilege of presenting to you today is built on four affirmations: 

• That agreed-upon shared standards are essential to managing global risks.
• That SAIs are well-positioned to support governments by providing independent insight and oversight that enhances decision-making and accountability
• That risk identification and mitigation are central to unlocking progress.
• And that public resources must be used effectively to realise national and global commitments.

The communique outlines practical recommendations—ranging from enhancing infrastructure audits and financing transparency to bridging the skills gap through evidence-based assessments and future-focused training. While I will not go through each recommendation individually, these recommendations reflect the collective expertise and shared drive of the SAI20 engagement group to support G20 governments in delivering better outcomes for their citizens.

Honourable Deputy President, on behalf of the SAI20, I am honoured to present this communique. We hope that the insights shared here will support the government in its development efforts and be meaningfully reflected in the broader G20 declaration.

Thank you.