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SADCOPAC Hon. E. M. Hachipuka (MP) Chairman. Introduction. Southern Africa Development Community Organization of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) - is an association of PACs SADC member states. It was launched in October 2003. Introduction.
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SADCOPAC Hon. E. M. Hachipuka (MP) Chairman
Introduction Southern Africa Development Community Organization of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) - is an association of PACs SADC member states. It was launched in October 2003
Introduction ... - SADCOPAC is an autonomous and independent organization established as a permanent institution in order to foster the exchange of ideas and experiences among PACs on the oversight function. - Participation in SADCOPAC activities is open to the PACs outside the SADC countries as affiliated members.
Mission SADCOPAC is an autonomous and independent association of PACs from SADC states established to promote mutual support; foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences; act as a recognized voice of PACs within SADC community; and promote accountability, good governance and transparency in the SADC states.
Vision • SADCOPAC shall strive to distinguish itself as an organization empowering the Members of each Member State to effectively carry out their functions as oversight committee over public sector finances, as well as promoting good governance • Furthermore, SADCOPAC shall strive to work with Governments in SADC countries in meeting the peoples’ expectations of sound and accountable governance, through best practice, sharing of information and experiences, and to continuously facilitate the efficiency of spending by promoting sound management practices.
Organization SADCOPAC consists of potential 15 members states which include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Madagascar, Tanzania Zambia and Zimbabwe. To date ten (10) countries have committed themselves as full members by either paying their membership fees or confirming their membership to the Governing Council; they include Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. . In addition, other countries outside SADC region do participate in SADCOPAC activities.
Secretariat The Secretariat of SADCOPAC is in Tanzania, hosted by the Controller and Auditor general of Tanzania. The CAG is providing both technical and human resources to facilitate the operations of SADCOPAC Secretariat. SADCOPAC has two full time staff working at the Secretariat under supervision of a Senior Officer from the National Audit Office of Tanzania.
National Audit Offices in SADC Countries The National Audit Offices in SADC countries have been supporting SADCOPAC activities depending on the availability of resources and circumstances.
Annual General Meetings and Conferences • SADCOPAC hosts AGMs and Annual Conferences which are used for knowledge and experience sharing • SADCOPAC has since inception managed to organise six conferences with the seventh scheduled to be hosted by Swaziland in August/September 2010.
Conference Resolutions At the end of Annual Conferences members do come up with resolutions to be implemented in their respective jurisdiction.
Successes • Knowledge and experience sharing – this has been mainly achieved through the hosting of Annual conferences. • Training and capacity building • Production of a bi-annual newsletter • Has a website in place (www.sadcopac.org)
Successes …… • Has a Technical Working Group in place. This is a team of non political actors charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing programmes of the Organisation • Has developed a Best Practise Guide • Has developed a second Strategic Plan (2010-2012) and is being implemented • Has managed to foster strong relationships with supreme audit institutions (SAIs) and other cooperating partners such as the World Bank Institute and InWent.
Capacity building to members SADCOPAC organizes training and study visits to other countries as a part of capacity building of its members.
Challenges • Not all SADC states have ratified their membership. • Lack of sustainable finances to accomplish SADCOPAC projects and activities. So far most of activities have been achieved with assistance from donors and Auditors General, . • Political and democratic instability in some states have hampered their active participation.
Challenges ….. • Members of PACs are not necessarily trained or hold qualifications in accounting, therefore, there is constant pressure to enable them acquire functional skills so that they can carry out their functions effectively. • Diverse committee practices in the various parliaments.
Formation of AFRIPAC and INTOPAC SADCOPAC will continue to share experiences and new knowledge within the region and beyond the region. In the process SADCOPAC will support the formation of the Association of Public Accounts Committee at Continental level (AFRIPAC) and Intercontinental (INTOPAC).
Conclusion SADCOPAC will continue to share experiences with other affiliates and similar Organizations at regional level as well as globally. Thank you very much for your attention. secretariat@sadcopac.org www.sadcopac.org