On the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9th), the National Transparency Authority organizes the annual Integrity Forum. Following the success of the previous forums (1st and 2nd in 2021 & 2022), this year's event aimed to establish the annual meeting as an opportunity for comprehensive updates on issues of public accountability and transparency in Greece.
The central theme of this year's forum was "National Transparency Authority: Speaking through Actions". The goal was to showcase the Authority's work through specific audits, highlight collaborations with other auditing bodies, and analyze its coordinating role in the national effort to gradually change the mindset and create a culture of zero tolerance for corruption.
The forum was structured into the following three thematic sections:
- Thematic Section 1: National Coordinating Body for Audit and Accountability (ESOEL): This section highlighted the role and challenges of the National Coordinating Authority for Control and Accountability, a standard auditing body of 17 entities. These entities focus on auditing public organizations’ actions and combating fraud, corruption, and mismanagement, with the NTA Interim Governor serving as the chair.
- Thematic Section 2: Inspections & Audits Unit: The National Transparency Authority Speaks about its Audit Work: During this thematic session, typical cases and conclusions from audits carried out by the Inspections and Audits Unit of the National Transparency Authority (Thematic Sectors and six Regional Units of the Authority, located in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, Tripoli, Serres, and Rethymno) were presented.
- Thematic Section 3: Asset Declaration: Investing in Integrity & Accountability: This section covered the new legislative framework and its innovations, compared to the previous framework, and the new institutional bodies established. The role of the National Transparency Authority in inspections related to "financial statement audit" was analyzed, along with the potential challenges the Authority might face. Flagship cases from audits carried out were presented, by the General Directorate for Integrity and Accountability and the relevant Subunit of Inspections and Audits.
During the forum, more than 50 audit cases were presented, concerning various sectors of Public Administration and society (e.g. health, environment, local government, transportation, economy, labor issues, social solidarity, sports, immigration, and education). The conclusions of these audits, including disciplinary or criminal responsibilities, changes in the Greek legislative framework, or improvements in the operation and good governance of an entity or service, were discussed. Over 500 professionals from the public and private sectors attended the forum.
For more information on the 3rd Integrity Forum, please follow the link below: