Audit Oversight to Enhance Trust and Transparency in Corporate Financial Statements: Challenges in Developing Countries

Beginning with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States and the creation of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in 2003, a global movement has developed to require independent oversight of corporate auditors.  The movement is premised on the notion that independent oversight of auditors is critical for investor confidence, stronger corporate governance, and more financial transparency.  A signal event in this movement was the EU’s Statutory Audit Directive of 2006, which required independent oversight to be developed in all EU member countries.  Similar s

State Ownership Policies: The Foundation for Accountable, Sustainable and Efficient SOE Reform - High-Level Dialogue with Reform Champions

On October 23, 2025, the World Bank hosted a high-level dialogue titled “State Ownership Policies: The Foundation for Accountable, Sustainable, and Efficient State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Reform.” The event convened reform champions and over 40 policymakers from across Europe, Central Asia, and beyond, aiming to exchange experiences and lessons learned in shaping and implementing state ownership policies for SOEs.

Setting Targets: Developing KPIs for SOEs – International Experiences and Lessons for ECA

Developing KPIs for SOEs: Peer Learning on Performance Metrics for State-Owned Enterprises in Europe and Central Asia

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are critical levers for public investment and service delivery. Yet, ensuring they deliver on both commercial and public mandates requires tools that can clearly translate ownership goals into measurable outcomes. At the heart of this challenge are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Award ceremony recognizes improvements in sustainability reporting in Georgia

The sixth Best Annual Report and Transparency Award (BARTA) ceremony was held in Tbilisi, Georgia on February 28, 2025 under the Enhancing Accounting, Auditing, and Sustainability Reporting (EAASURE) program, implemented by the World Bank Centre for Financial and Sustainability Reporting Reform. The event was attended by 114 participants.

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Strengthening Corporate Governance: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees

Two recent conferences titled “Strengthening Corporate Governance: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees” were organized in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Road to Europe Program of Accounting Reform and Institutional Strengthening for Small and Medium Enterprises (REPARIS for SMEs) regional project.

Enhancing Governance in Montenegro's SOEs: The Critical Role of Audit Committees

The fourth national conference under the Road to Europe Program of Accounting Reform and Institutional Strengthening for Small and Medium Enterprises (REPARIS for SMEs) in Montenegro on May 24 included important discussion of the critical role of audit committees in ensuring transparency and accountability of Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Strengthening Corporate Governance in Montenegro: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees

The fourth national conference under the Road to Europe Program of Accounting Reform and Institutional Strengthening for Small and Medium Enterprises (REPARIS for SMEs) regional project was held on May 24, 2024, in Ulcinj, Montenegro. The conference was organized in cooperation with the Institute of Certified Accountants of Montenegro (ICAM) as part of ICAM’s 9th International Symposium of Accountants and Auditors of Montenegro.

Strengthening Corporate Governance in North Macedonia: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees

The third national conference under the Road to Europe Program of Accounting Reform and Institutional Strengthening for Small and Medium Enterprises (REPARIS for SMEs) regional project was held on November 09, 2023, in Skopje, North Macedonia.

National Conference - Strengthening Corporate Governance in Serbia: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees

A National Conference “Strengthening Corporate Governance in Serbia: Sustainability Reporting and the Increasing Role of Audit Committees” was held in Belgrade, Serbia on May 11, 2023. The Conference was attended by members of audit committees of public interest entities and large state-owned enterprises, certified auditors, accountants, representatives of business associations, professional accounting associations, internal auditors, academia, totaling over 90 participants.

Strengthening Corporate Governance in Albania and Kosovo: Sustainability Reporting and Increased Role of the Audit Committees

A regional Conference “Strengthening Corporate Governance in Albania and Kosovo: Sustainability Reporting and Increased Role of the Audit Committees” was held in Tirana, Albania on November 10, 2022. The event focused on further implementation of corporate sustainability reporting measures that encompass social and environmental reporting. It also addressed the increased role of audit committees.

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