AMMAN, Jordan — Somalia’s Auditor General, Abdirahman Gutale, joined officials from across the Arab region in Amman this week for the 50th anniversary of the Arab Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, a gathering focused on a familiar challenge: how governments can make public spending more transparent and protect state resources from misuse.
The three-day meeting, held from Aug. 13 to 15, brought together senior officials from national audit institutions to discuss the role of public oversight in strengthening accountability and confidence in government institutions.
Among the issues under discussion was the growing use of artificial intelligence in public auditing. Participants examined how emerging technologies could help audit bodies detect risks, improve oversight and better protect public funds and government assets.
For Somalia, Gutale’s participation comes as the country continues efforts to strengthen institutions responsible for financial oversight and public accountability. Effective auditing is particularly important as governments manage increasingly complex public finances and seek to ensure that development resources are used as intended.
The ARABOSAI anniversary also provided an opportunity for regional audit institutions to exchange experience and consider how technology can complement traditional oversight mechanisms.
The discussions reflected a broader shift in public auditing, where digital tools and data analysis are increasingly being considered alongside established methods of reviewing government spending.
Somalia’s participation in the gathering signals its continued engagement with regional efforts to strengthen transparency and institutional accountability, while highlighting the growing importance of technology in safeguarding public resources.
