SAI20 Indonesia 2022

August 29-30, 2022. BALI, Indonesia.

A huge amount of public money is being used by all governments to handle this crisis through various initiatives at national, regional, and global level.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has been giving economic, fiscal and social pressure to all countries. It is requiring all countries to act in tackling this unprecedented crisis. A huge amount of public money is being used by all governments to handle this crisis through various initiatives at national, regional, and global level.

G20 has a strong commitment to address today’s most pressing global challenges and to converge upon common efforts to recover better from the COVID19 crisis and enable sustainable and inclusive growth in countries and across the world. These issues are urgent as this health crisis has transformed into an economic crisis to which collaborative actions are urgently required to improve governance resilience and to ensure business sustainability.

Given the multidimensional of this current pandemic crisis, the multi-stakeholder engagement is needed to accelerate joint efforts by creating an oversight “ecosystem”2, where all interconnected actors such as legislatures, public officials, civil society organizations, and actors in the public financial management areas, each have parts to play.

SAI

Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) could have substantial impacts in developing effective states to respond with more agile and reliable governance, democratic development and trust in the society. This is in line with SAIs’ global objective to play a key role in making a difference to the lives of the citizens.

In this context, each country’s SAI needs to take a role as partners of G20 governments in ensuring and improving the performance and accountability of public sector agencies as well as the effectiveness of their programs and policies.

To assure that the audit recommendations of SAIs is well implemented, parliaments as legislature bodies should also take part in oversighting the government, so that state programs and planning are aligned with parliaments’ recommendations as well as the public interests. The synergy among these three pillars is expected to set up government accountability and the greatest prosperity of the people.

Public sector auditing, as championed by SAIs, has an essential part to promote the efficiency, accountability, effectiveness, and transparency of public administration,4 while solidifying global response to the COVID-19 crisis and supporting SDGs implementation.

Therefore, SAIs should appropriately respond to the challenges of civil society, the expectations of multiple stakeholders, and the emerging risks and changing environments in which audits are conducted in order to enable accountability and credibility of SAIs. Those important roles require SAIs to demonstrate relevance to the government, parliament, and other stakeholders, including the citizens.

As SAIs should be able to demonstrate accountability and credibility of its operation, it is also necessary for SAIs to prepare for arising risks and the possibility of rapid changes in audits. Hence, SAIs ought to have an effective dialogue with stakeholders on strategies to promote enhancement in the public sector. Providing assurance on governance, management and policy impact, remains at the core of the future of audit.

Additionally, SAIs should have a good understanding of developments in the wider public sector, more importantly in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, to contribute to the achievement of SDGs and to have meaningful dialogues with stakeholders about how the works of SAIs can facilitate improvements in the public sector management. The role of foresight, resilience and sustainability are key strategies to enable public sectors in promoting and practicing agile governance in this new era.

SAI20 UNDER THE G20 FRAMEWORK

In line with the theme of the Indonesian G20 Presidency “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”, there is a need to establish an engagement group focusing on good and accountable governance through the role of SAIs under the G20 framework, or the SAI20.

This engagement group is expected to strengthen and empower their audit engagements through policy dialogue and identification of best practices. In the current VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) context, public sector management and policy making are rapidly changing, therefore there is a need to increase the role of SAI in the establishment and development of foresight capacity.

This role would be exercised in the framework of SAI 20 as the leading engagement group on creating forward-looking approaches of post-Covid19 governance as well as achieving SDGs targets. Although SAIs operate under different mandates and models, with the establishment of the SAI20, each SAI of the G20 countries will be able to promote the value and benefits of their audit works to democracy and accountability in their respective jurisdictions. This forum could also create an opportunity for increased openness and collaboration with stakeholders to improve the quality and depth of SAIs’ audit works and to improve governance resilience.

Further, the SAI20 shall serve as a platform to share its strategic foresight so that the work of the G20 could guide governments toward approaches that make communities more resilient, as well as enhance the good and accountable policy making among the G20 member states.

Lastly, SAI20 should take part not only to restore the economic condition, but also to ascertain business sustainability, thus it could lead to better lives of the citizens, a better world, and establish accountability for all.

POLICY APPROACH AND OBJECTIVES

The establishment of the SAI20 aims to:

1. Promote collaboration among SAIs in G20 countries and other stakeholders to contribute adjust oversight, develop insight, and provide strategic foresight to foster accountable economic governance; and

2. Develop a platform for strengthening SAI’s role as a partner of G20 member states in responding to global issues.

These aims represent the SAI20’s policy objective to promote stronger mutual understanding among the SAIs in order to fulfil SAI20’s Commitment on carrying out its role as a reliable and strategic partner to the government to ensure business sustainability and to improve resilient governance.

Source Link: https://sai20.org/en/about-us/

Goldman Sachs: 10,000 Small Businesses

July 18-20, 2022. WASHINGTON, DC.

Small Business, Big Voice.

On July 18-20, more than 2,500 alumni from the 10,000 Small Businesses program gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 10,000 Small Businesses Summit. See the Summit’s featured speakers.

The Summit was the largest-ever gathering of small business owners in the U.S., designed to celebrate and drive their resilience and economic impact, while providing opportunities for them to advocate for their needs.

Over the course of three days, small business owners gained insights from business leaders, visionaries, policymakers and each other on best practices for business growth, hiring, accessing capital and more as they continue to power the nation’s economy and employ the majority of America’s workforce.

Source Link: https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/2022-summit/

USAID ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THE NINTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

June 10, 2022. LOS ANGELES, California.

President Biden announced key initiatives that USAID will play a significant role implementing, and USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced several initiatives, targets, and partnerships to support the Biden-Harris Administration's initiatives for the region.

Office of Press Relations

press@usaid.gov

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced multiple initiatives at the Ninth Summit of the Americas, hosted by the United States in Los Angeles, California in June 2022. President Biden announced key initiatives that USAID will play a significant role implementing, and USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced several initiatives, targets, and partnerships to support the Biden-Harris Administration's initiatives for the region.

Humanitarian Assistance and Migration Integration Programming

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection:

• USAID is placing an important focus on integrating migrant populations into host countries and expanding programming throughout the region to help people find hope and opportunity in their communities.

• USAID is supporting labor pathways and integration and providing life-saving humanitarian assistance.

• USAID will provide up to $35.9 million to promote the social and economic integration of millions of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in South America through policy reform, pathways for legal status, professional certification, job training and placement, microenterprise creation, access to financial services, and other socio-economic integration efforts.

• USAID will provide approximately $171 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the Venezuela regional crisis.

• $72.7 million in funding for Venezuela to support healthcare, food, nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection services, through United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• $98.2 million in funding to support the provision of emergency food assistance to Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. With USAID support, humanitarian organizations are addressing acute food insecurity among Venezuelan migrants and refugees by providing hot meals, cash transfers, food vouchers, and food kits.

• USAID will provide up to $4.1 million in Central America to expand work in countries including Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama, which will support the social and economic integration of migrants from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, and others throughout Central America.

Food Security and Resilience

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's goals to address food security and resilience in the region:

• Administrator Power announced approximately $331 million in humanitarian and long-term development assistance to help address food insecurity and improve the quality of life for people across the region.

  • $198 million of emergency food assistance and related humanitarian programming such as nutrition, health, and protection, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.

  • $95 million of FY 2021 Feed the Future funds that will help smallholder farmers in Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Peru improve productivity of high-value horticulture crops, increase incomes, and bolster farmers’ capacity to withstand shocks like higher fertilizer prices and impacts of climate change.

  • An additional $37 million, subject to Congressional approval, will also go toward addressing medium- to long-term term food security and resilience measures in the region.

  • USAID is accelerating ongoing efforts working with smallholder farmers in Latin America to increase their agricultural productivity, diversify their incomes, strengthen market connections, expand access to finance, and improve household level nutrition.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Advancing Women’s Economic Participation

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to support women’s economic empowerment in Latin America, and prevent and respond to gender-based violence in the region, which is a central pillar of the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America:

• USAID is providing up to $6.5 million in Guatemala will help break the cycle of violence affecting women, youth, LGBTQI+ persons, and Indigenous groups by providing access to violence prevention interventions and to justice, legal and recovery services.

• USAID will invest up to $2.7 million in Honduras to strengthen access to security and justice for survivors of gender-based violence by emphasizing responsiveness, accountability, and efficiency through targeted institutional reform that will decrease the violence, impunity, and corruption that drive migration.

Amazonia Connect

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthen cooperation on climate action in the Americas, USAID launched the new project Amazonia Connect:

• USAID will provide up to $12.3 million to promote deforestation-free and climate-smart approaches to commodity production in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Amazonia Connect will advance the Plan to Conserve Global Forests: Critical Carbon Sinks by promoting deforestation-free and climate-smart approaches to commodity production in key Amazonian landscapes in South America.

• The funds will provide training and monitoring tools to guarantee the production and verification of low-carbon and deforestation-free products. Verified products will then be purchased by private sector companies that have invested directly into deforestation-free production.

• As Amazonia Connect will mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and conserve important biodiversity while improving livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience, it supports farmers while also protecting the environment. Amazonia Connect will bring existing pockets of supply innovation together with demand for sustainable products to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at scale.

U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030):

• USAID will partner with the people of the Caribbean to facilitate climate adaptation and resilience, support the transition to renewable energy, and bolster energy security and resilience in the region.

• As part of PACC 2030 and USAID’s ongoing Caribbean Energy Initiative, the new Regional Energy Sector Reform program will help analyze clean energy investment opportunities in the region. Launched in March 2022, the program will work with partners across the region to improve utility performance and reduce policy, regulatory, and legal constraints to private investment in clean energy.

• USAID continues to work with partners in the Caribbean to implement the reforms needed to spur confident investment in renewable energy.

Central American Service Corps

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of the Central American Service Corps (CASC) initiative to be administered by USAID:

• USAID’s planned $50 million investment in CASC will address the drivers of irregular migration among those most likely to migrate by engaging youth in locally driven service opportunities, providing a modest stipend, offering work and life skills acquisition, and enhancing young people’s sense of rootedness and commitment to their communities.

• By supporting life and job skills, offering hope, and building confidence and a sense of belonging for youth, the CASC initiative will generate leadership potential and help foster optimism among youth in Central America that a better future is possible for themselves and for their communities.

COVID-⁠19 Pandemic Response and Improving Global Health Security in the Americas

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of the Global Health Security (GHS) and Americas Health Corps (Fuerza de Salud de las Américas) initiatives:

• USAID will expand on its COVID-19 activities in the region to invest in global health security initiatives in Peru, Guatemala, and Brazil in 2022, and in FY 2023 will expand programming to seven countries (Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Peru).

• USAID will support these initiatives through existing programing, including virtual training via PAHO for health workers on maternal/prenatal health, tuberculosis prevention/control, malaria, digital health, and training for LAC midwifery cadre.

USAID Announces the Interagency Voices (Voces) Initiative at the Civil Society Forum

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's strategy to address the root causes of migration in Central America:

• Administrator Power announced the launch of the interagency Voices (Voces) Initiative, which will provide approximately $42 million for USAID activities that protect, defend, and promote civic space in Central America.

• This includes a focus on promoting digital democracy and countering digital authoritarianism; promoting freedom of expression and strengthening independent media; and countering criminalization and providing protection.

• The U.S. government will work alongside like-minded partners in government, the international community, civil society, the private sector, and beyond to advocate for adherence to international human rights obligations such as freedom of expression and association.

USAID, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Labor Guidance on Fair Recruitment Practices for Temporary Migrant Workers

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to expand lawful pathways through H-2 temporary worker programs:

• USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced “Guidance on Fair Recruitment Practices for Temporary Migrant Workers.”

• The guidance provides principles and guidelines on preventing abuse of prospective workers as the Biden-Harris Administration seeks to expand lawful pathways through the H-2 temporary worker programs.

• The guidance is part of a multi-agency effort to promote best practices by those countries seeking to increase participation in the H-2A program for temporary agricultural workers and the H-2B program for seasonal non-agricultural workers, as well as recruiters and employers who rely on these programs.

Source Link: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/jun-10-2022-usaid-announcements-ninth-summit-americas