WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a move to enhance accountability across the globe, representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) Center for Audit Excellence today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a framework for collaboration on training and technical assistance efforts. The goal of the agreement is to enhance the capabilities of audit organizations in developing countries.

"This agreement is an important step in our continuing and deepening collaboration. Going forward, USAID and the GAO Center for Audit Excellence will leverage each other's capabilities and expertise to accelerate progress toward our common goals of accountability, transparency, good governance, and the sound use of public funds in partner countries," said USAID Deputy Administrator Alfonso E. Lenhardt. "By doing so, we can help our partners advance development progress that is both inclusive and sustainable."

USAID Chief Financial Officer Reginald W. Mitchell noted that this is the "first globally applicable MOU between our two organizations" and that the MOU "is the fruit of a highly collaborative process" internally as well as with the GAO Center.

The MOU will leverage the Center's audit expertise as well as USAID's in-depth knowledge of the environment in developing countries to help improve auditing capacity.

The goal is to enhance the capacity of USAID staff to more efficiently support capacity development - in particular, the strengthening of audit institutions - in partner countries. This activity supports the Sustainable Development Agenda, agreed last year at the UN General Assembly in New York.

This globally applicable MOU affirms that USAID and the GAO Center have compatible mission statements and a desire to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Currently, USAID and the GAO are developing an implementation plan of this historic agreement. The MOU was signed by USAID Deputy Administrator Alfonso Lenhardt and James Christian Blockwood, GAO Managing Director for Strategic Planning and External Liaison.