Director-General meets members of UNESCO Oversight Advisory Committee

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© UNESCO

On 19 January, 2016, Irina Bokova met with the members of the UNESCO Oversight Advisory Committee (OAC). The OAC is comprised of external independent members.

They commended the Director-General for her leadership in the Business Continuity Management area. They also praised her focus at the Senior Management Team level on the regular review as well as her action on audit and evaluations recommendations. 

The impulse given by the Director-General to revitalizing the Programme Management Committee (PMC) and the enterprise wide risk management processes through the Risk Management Committee, which have already had meetings this month, were also noted by the OAC with appreciation.

During the discussion, the Director-General stated that after having operated in a ‘crisis mode’ in the last few years -- following the 22% reduction in budget in November 2011 -- the Organization has now moved beyond and is now firmly focused on programme delivery and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Also welcomed by the OAC, she underlined the work done through evaluations, performed in line with UNESCO’s risks and priorities, as providing real value. 

The discussion also noted that there will be continued focus on the internal audit side, including on value-for-money audits, through risk based prioritization of work and resource allocation, as well as the rigorous monitoring of internal audits recommendations as a whole.

The OAC highly appreciated the access and transparency across the Secretariat and underlined the value of such an environment in the fulfillment of the Organisation's mandate and in the quality of their advice to the Director-General. 

The Director-General thanked the OAC for their expertise and advice to her in fulfilling her mission as Chief Administrative Officer and their assistance in fulfilling her oversight responsibilities.