Publications

In 2012 discussions in PEM PAL’s three COPs addressed various PFM topics, including reform progress in treasury and external financing; program budgeting practices; risk assessment, quality assurance, and training and certification in public sector internal audit; relations between internal audit, external audit, and financial inspection; strategies for treasury modernization; financial accounting and reporting; fiscal policy and measures to combat the crisis. Participants learned also from the experience of PFM systems in other countries.

The emphasis of these discussions has been on addressing the problems identified in the learning by doing process. “PEM PAL countries are going through a process of establishing an effective internal audit system; they are facing similar challenges, so they can think together of similar measures to deal with these challenges,” remarked one participant.

Implementation provides a reality check for a practitioner on how the reform design and legislation perform in practice. Evidence suggests that exchanging experience about what works well in practice is what practitioners consider especially valuable. As a Chinese proverb puts it, “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” 

The COPs work agendas have been driven by the countries’ needs and have been devised by the Executive Committees of each of the three COPs in consultations with their constituencies. All three COPs individually agree on key topics and discuss main challenges to address emerging needs and opportunities. 

In 2012, PEM PAL brought together 434 PEM PAL participants in eight regular and five small group events held in eleven countries. In addition, around 125 external experts attended these events. This compares to 418 PEM PAL participants plus 108 external experts attending one plenary meeting of all three COPs, six regular, and three small group events in six countries in 2011. Considering its active and valuable contribution to the IA COP, Hungary was confirmed as new member of the IA COP at the IA COP plenary meeting in Hungary in June 2012.