The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Auditor General’s Office (AGO) of Maldives to strengthen environmental auditing and public finance accountability in the country.  

The agreement outlines cooperation aimed at enhancing AGO’s capacity in conducting environmental audits, developing budget tagging frameworks for climate-related spending, and supporting transparency in climate finance governance.

It also includes targeted technical support and training for AGO staff.

The MoU also supports AGO’s global engagement in environmental auditing, aligning with national efforts to meet international climate commitments and Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.

UNDP Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia said: “The Maldives is showing real leadership in strengthening public oversight—through environmental audits led by the Auditor General and the push to embed standards into national systems.

“Our partnership, anchored in a new MoU, reflects a shared commitment: to align ambition with action and our institutions to build systems that don’t just manage change—but drive it.”

In recent years, AGO has taken steps to formalise its work in this area, including the establishment of a dedicated environmental audit department.

The office also holds a leadership position internationally, currently serving as Vice-Chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions’ Working Group on Environmental Auditing.

Auditor General Hussain Niyazy said: “What began as a modest environmental auditing initiative has grown into a powerful instrument of accountability and change.

“This collaboration is far more than a ceremonial gesture — it represents our unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of our people by contributing to actions aimed at protecting and preserving our environment through scrutiny, transparency, accountability, and sustainable audit practices.”