Written by Eva Rybarova, Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic
In 2025, the INTOSAI Subcommittee on Peer Reviews—chaired by the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) of the Slovak Republic—has been actively advancing its mission to promote voluntary peer reviews as strategic instruments for institutional development and enhancing audit quality.
This year’s work has focused on three key initiatives:
1) E-Conference on Peer Review – June 2025
Hosted by SAO Slovakia, the international e-conference attracted more than 100 participants from around the world. Discussions underscored the evolving role of peer reviews, emphasizing the importance of sound planning, effective follow-up, and the strategic use of tools such as GUID 1900, SAI PMF, and IntoSAINT. Participants highlighted the need for transparent reporting, strong leadership commitment, and actionable recommendations to ensure meaningful outcomes.
2) Catalogue of Experts and Call for Contributions
The Subcommittee has updated its Catalogue of Peer Review Experts, inviting Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to nominate professionals who can contribute to peer review exercises and related training. This living document serves as a vital resource, connecting expertise with demand and fostering knowledge exchange across regions.
Encouragingly, interest in peer reviews continues to grow—both from SAIs seeking to be reviewed and from those volunteering as reviewers. Recent engagements include SAIs such as Indonesia, Pakistan, France, and the European Court of Auditors. SAIs are encouraged to nominate their experts to the catalogue (via peerreview@nku.gov.sk) or consult the Subcommittee to identify suitable matches that ensure high-quality reviews.
3) Global Survey on Peer Reviews
A comprehensive global survey was launched to collect insights from SAIs worldwide. The questionnaire focuses on peer review scope, staffing, timelines, and key recommendations. Responses are being accepted until 31 August 2025, with results to be presented at the INTOSAI Congress (INCOSAI) in October 2025. The survey aims to identify good practices, address challenges, and support SAIs in becoming more modern, resilient institutions.
These initiatives reflect the Subcommittee’s strong alignment with INTOSAI’s Strategic Goal 2: Capacity Development and reaffirm its commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and mutual learning.
The upcoming INCOSAI Congress in October 2025 will provide a key platform for SAIs to engage with the Subcommittee, review its findings, and contribute to shaping the future of peer review practices.
For more information or to participate in ongoing initiatives, visit the INTOSAI CBC Peer Review Subcommittee website.