The creation of the International Audit and Relations Office (IARO) pursuant to Resolution No. 2012 – 004 dated April 24, 2012 resulted in the formation of three Divisions or Services: International Audit Services, Foreign-based Government Agencies Audit Services; and International Relations Services. The IARO operates with a vision of “Creating Value through Thought Leadership”. With thought leadership, IARO is enabled to create opportunities and enhance its engagements through innovation and by taking advantage of opportunities. Driven by its operating philosophy of being an effective change agent, it has proceeded to deliver its mandate through increased flexibility, enhanced expertise in audit technology, with deeper skills set and with audits anchored on governance mechanisms of accountability, risk management and control. These attributes are always ensured that they connect to our mission “To continuously aspire for excellence in our professional engagement and deliver results anchored on competency, experience and capacity; and progressively challenge the status quo to make positive change”.

With the end view of creating positive impact, IARO had re-engineered its audit process and ways of working to align very closely to the expectations of its clientele. Since 2012, IARO had delivered and managed the Commission’s external audit engagements with specialized United Nations agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Labor Organization (ILO). During the year, COA had also been mandated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) member states to be its External Auditor for one biennium and this new engagement will be undertaken also by IARO. Within the five years of its existence, IARO had successfully delivered the value expected of it as well as the tangible benefits that are currently in place within its clientele and achieved international recognition for its works.