Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) joined global auditors at the Assembly of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA), that took place in Malta from 1 to 3 July 2025. Represented by Mr. Animesh Kumar, Head of the UNDRR Office in Bonn, UNDRR’s engagement underscores its growing collaboration with WGEA to strengthen national oversight of disaster risk reduction (DRR) through environmental auditing.
Driving risk-informed governance through auditing
Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are key national actors in ensuring governments are prevent and are prepared for disasters and climate-related shocks. Through WGEA, INTOSAI supports SAIs in conducting performance audits that evaluate how well countries manage environmental risks-including resilience to floods, extreme heat, and other natural hazards.
UNDRR’s participation at the WGEA Assembly reflects a strategic alignment: both institutions promote stronger national accountability for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, grounded in international frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The official data and metrics, and other disaster risk reduction tools coordinated by UNDRR, and the work of Supreme Auditing Institutions are closely aligned. The two entities can co-benefit by collaborating in their collective efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency in risk governance,” said Animesh Kumar.
Audits can reveal gaps in planning, coordination, and implementation-and offer pathways to improved governance. The WGEA’s audit database already includes 59 audits related to DRR, such as:
- India: Reviewing groundwater and stormwater systems to reduce urban flood risk.
- Turkey: Auditing early warning systems and local flood preparedness.
- UK: Assess preparedness for future extreme weather events
Mr Charles Deguara, Auditor General of Malta said: “In the present circumstances, urgent and united action is required to ensure climate risk issues are duly addressed. It is our role, as national audit institutions, to assist our administrations through our audit work.” From data to action
UNDRR brings extensive expertise in disaster risk governance, robust data systems, and a strong global convening role-uniquely positioning it to support SAIs in evaluating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies.
Building on this momentum, UNDRR and WGEA are exploring collaboration on knowledge building, capacity development and data sharing on disaster risk reduction audits. This initiative aims to build a skilled network of auditors ready to integrate DRR and adaptation into their national audit agendas, bolstered by growing coherence between DRR and climate action.
“Building resilience to climate and disaster risks requires coherent policies, consistent implementation, and strong oversight. Through the WGEA, we support audit institutions in promoting accountability and helping ensure that climate and disaster risk policies are aligned, effective, and transparent”, highlighted Mr Sami Yläoutinen, the Auditor General of the National Audit Office of Finland, and the current chair of INTOSAI WGEA.
As WGEA expands its focus on climate and disaster-related audits, sustained collaboration with UNDRR can enhance policy coherence and strengthen accountability. By integrating disaster risk into environmental audits, this partnership will help translate global frameworks into national results, advancing resilience, transparency, and sustainable development.