The SAi20 Annual Summit, the engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions within the G20, commenced on June 17 in Belém, Pará. The meeting convened leaders and experts from member countries and invited nations until June 18.

During the opening session, Minister Bruno Dantas, President of the TCU, emphasized the critical role of collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges. ” We will strive to foster innovative thinking and take decisive actions. Together, we can overcome any obstacles and pave the way for a better future for future generations. ” he said.

At the end of the SAi20 Summit, the Communiqué was adopted consolidating priority actions for Audit Institutions addressing climate change, hunger, and poverty. Dantas emphasized the need for countries to implement multidimensional approaches:

“The link between climate change and world hunger is a reminder of the urgent need for integrated and sustainable approaches to mitigate climate impacts and ensure food security” – President of the TCU, Minister Bruno Dantas.

The G20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation, representing 80% of global GDP, 75% of exports, and about 60% of the world’s population.  For Dantas, within the G20 context, Supreme Audit Institutions play a strategic role in ensuring that public actions align with societal needs, sustainable development goals, and international commitments.

The opening ceremony also featured the presence of the Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, the Governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, the Mayor of Belém, Edmilson Rodrigues, and the National Coordinator of G20 Brazil, Carlos Villanova.

Helder Barbalho discussed the actions taken by the state government to promote sustainable development in the region and argued that good governance is crucial to eradicating hunger in the Amazon. “We are doing our homework, fighting deforestation, protecting nature, repressing illegal mining, and designing innovative solutions, within the highest standards of global cooperative governance,” he stated. He reinforced that these changes require innovative public policies and alignment with the global market.

The Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, recalled the recent tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul as a stark example of the severity of the global climate situation. He informed that the Ministry of Cities is committed to rebuilding the homes destroyed in the region and that the actions aimed at sustainable urban development of the Ministry are guided by three main pillars: housing, urban mobility, and basic sanitation. “We are working hard to make our cities greener, more resilient, and sustainable, to ensure a better future for all Brazilians.”

The mayor of Belém, Edmilson Rodrigues, spoke about the urgency of reversing the structural inequalities that have being affecting the country for decades. He believes Brazil needs to reconsider its export model: “It is unacceptable that a country exporting so much natural wealth still has 19 million people living in hunger. There needs to be a global discussion among nations.”

Carlos Villanova, the National Coordinator for G20 Brazil, concluded the opening ceremony. He represented the Brazilian Ambassador, Mauricio Lyrio, and explained the alignment between SAi20 and the G20: “Engagement groups play a crucial role in supporting the G20 and facilitating the structured dissemination of issues to member countries. With Brazil’s presidency of the group, it is time to prioritize sustainable development at the forefront of the global agenda,” he said.

Watch the SAi20 Summit Live

• Monday (June 17) morning: https://youtube.com/live/-TSKnuCywME?feature=share
• Monday (June 17) afternoon: https://youtube.com/live/U4C-bjtnU0w?feature=share
• Tuesday (June 18): https://youtube.com/live/RHMCUdhvZCs?feature=share

SAi20, or “Supreme Audit Institution Engagement Group of 20”, is the engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from the G20 member countries. SAi20 is chaired by the audit institution of the country that leads the G20, currently Brazil, represented by the TCU.

SAi20 was created in 2022 when Indonesia held the presidency of the Group of 20. It emerged to promote collaboration and contribute to the strengthening of oversight, the development of insights, and the provision of strategic forecasts with a focus on accountable governance.

SAi20 amplifies its voice through the preparation of the Communiqué, a document in which its members commit to specific objectives and draw the attention of the G20 to the issues discussed. The Communiqué is presented to the G20 and proposes alternative paths for developing public policies aligned with societal expectations.