Manama: As part of the Kingdom of Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Bahrain hosted the 23rd meeting of the Heads of the Financial and Accounting Audit Bureaus of the GCC states, reflecting efforts to further develop joint GCC audit work and enhance the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence to support transparency and efficient management of public resources.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NAO), with the presence of Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Thani, Assistant Secretary General for Legislative and Legal Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC, and heads of GCC audit institutions.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed stated that the meeting reflects the strong ties among GCC countries and the importance attached by Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, to enhancing Gulf cooperation and integration and developing its institutions in support of the aspirations of GCC countries and their peoples.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed noted that GCC audit institutions play a key role in promoting integrity and enhancing government performance efficiency. He added that rapid developments in technology and artificial intelligence provide new opportunities to develop audit tools, improve the quality of outcomes and enhance their impact.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed highlighted professional cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise among GCC audit institutions as key components for building an audit system that is better prepared for the future and capable of keeping pace with rapidly evolving challenges and developments.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed underscored the importance of continuing to enhance joint GCC coordination and institutional integration among audit institutions in line with the aspirations of GCC leaders for further development, sustainability and institutional effectiveness.
The meeting discussed initiatives and projects aimed at developing GCC audit work, including a proposal to establish an artificial intelligence-powered electronic platform bringing together the outputs of GCC financial audit and accounting bureaus. The platform would facilitate access to institutional knowledge and enhance the utilisation of accumulated expertise across the region.
The heads of GCC audit institutions also reviewed developments related to the Gulf Cooperation Council Competition for Research and Studies in the Field of Auditing and Accounting, as well as the results of follow-up on recommendations derived from research that won in previous editions, supporting the development of professional practices and innovation in audit work.
They reviewed training programmes implemented in 2025 and 2026 and events scheduled as part of GCC Financial and Administrative Audit Week, aimed at developing human capabilities and enhancing specialised competencies across auditing and accounting.
The meeting also honoured a number of distinguished employees from GCC financial audit and accounting bureaus in recognition of their contributions to developing audit work and supporting institutional excellence.
The meeting concluded by emphasising the importance of building on existing cooperation and coordination and accelerating the adoption of digital and innovative solutions to enhance the preparedness of GCC audit institutions for future requirements and strengthen their role in supporting good governance and fiscal sustainability across GCC countries.