Shai Mizrahi Elected First Israeli to UN Audit Advisory Committee

Shai Mizrahi has been elected to the United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday evening. The ministry identified him as the first Israeli to serve on the committee since its establishment. The body advises the UN General Assembly on audit, internal oversight and accountability. The ministry said the election brings an Israeli professional voice into UN oversight. It thanked the countries that supported his candidacy, saying: “We thank all Member States for their support!” The announcement did not specify a vote tally or the dates of Mizrahi’s individual term. The committee’s official terms give it a broad financial and oversight remit. Its work includes advising on the effectiveness of audits and management’s implementation of oversight recommendations. It reviews the workplan and proposed budget of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and examines risk management, internal controls, financial reporting and accounting disclosures. It can also advise on coordination among the UN’s oversight bodies. The five-member committee is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. Its members serve in a personal capacity and must neither seek nor receive instructions from any government. No two members may have the same nationality, and appointments take account of geographical representation and relevant senior-level experience. Under its general rules, members serve three-year terms renewable once. The committee works by consensus, meets up to four times a year and submits an annual report containing its advice to the Assembly.