- Mario Marcel: IIA-Lebanon can be a reliable and effective partner in moving forward the Governance agenda in Lebanon
- MalekCosta: IIA-Lebanon to assist in establishing the internal audit function in the Lebanese public sector
Beirut, 10 April 2015 – The Institute of Internal Auditors in Lebanon (IIA-Lebanon) held its 6th annual dinner at the Phoenicia hotel, with Mr. Mario Marcel, Senior Director of the World Bank’s Governance Global Practice, as guest of honor. The dinner was held in the presence of notable Lebanese officials and economists, including former ministers ZiyadBaroud, Sami Haddad, DemianosKattar and Samir Makdessi.
Speaking on the occasion, Malek Costa, President of IIA-Lebanon said: “Despite the remarkable progress made by the Lebanese private sector in the Internal Audit field, it is well known that up until today, Lebanon still has no internal audit function in the public sector, a matter which is arguably one of the most challenging segments of the audit industry.”
He added: “At the request of the World Bank, and with the guidance of IIA-Global, IIA-Lebanon has gladly committed itself to assist in embarking the establishment of internal audit function in the public sector”.
In his capacity as a well-known authority in the field of financial management and procurement, Mr. Mario Marcel gave a speech during which he called on the Lebanese authorities and the private sector institutions to recognize the importance of having sound internal audit. He said: “There is no doubt that the internal audit function plays an important role in ensuring good governance. Internal audit can provide, through assurance and advisory services, important elements to enhance governance, controls, transparency and accountability in public institutions as well as in corporate organizations. “
He added: “The IIA-Lebanon is an important force to promote and develop the internal audit function in the country in a professional and committed fashion. We are confident that the IIA-Lebanon can be a reliable and effective partner in moving forward the Governance agenda in Lebanon and we will seize the opportunities that can potentially arise to work closely towards that purpose.”
The Institute of Internal Auditors in Lebanon (IIA-Lebanon) is the local chapter of IIA Global-USA which is the internal audit profession’s global voice and recognized authority since 1941. The mission of IIA is to provide dynamic leadership for the global profession of internal auditing. IIA-Lebanon performs trainings and seminars to guide the internal auditors and leverage their technical abilities, all the while keeping them updated on the Internal Audit rules and procedures