On 10–11 September 2026, the ALSAI’s representatives participated in the International Conference “Transparency and Accountability in Defense Expenditure”, organized by the International Board of Auditors for NATO (IBAN) and the Romanian Court of Accounts in Bucharest. The event brought together representatives from the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of NATO and European Union Member States, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, alongside representatives from IBAN, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI).

The conference focused on the exchange of experiences and best practices related to auditing in the defense and security sectors. These practices were addressed within an international context characterized by increasing its expenditure, the development of major investment programs and the need to strike an appropriate balance between transparency, public accountability, and the protection of classified information.

During the conference, participants highlighted the importance of managing defense resources in a responsible and transparent manner, as countries continue to increase investment in this sector, which has become a priority for the security and protection of their citizens. Striking an appropriate balance between the sustainability of public finances and these strategic investments represents one of the key challenges of economic governance.

Supreme Audit Institutions have a responsibility to closely monitor how this balance is achieved, ensuring that budgetary discipline remains a tool for stability rather than an obstacle to our collective security. The need for accountability in the management of public resources was also emphasized, particularly as defense expenditure continues to increase, guided by the principle: “Security cannot be synonymous with a lack of accountability.”

The international conference addressed the types of audits conducted in the defense sector, audit methodologies relevant to the fields of defense and security, as well as cooperation between IBAN and the Supreme Audit Institutions of NATO Member States. The conference provided valuable and relevant insights for ALSAI’s engagement in regional and international cooperation, as well as for promoting transparency and accountability within the public administration in the area of defense expenditure.