The Albanian Supreme Audit Institution celebrates the 100th anniversary of its establishment, the Chairman of ALSAI Mr. Arben Shehu: The institution will remain faithful to its mission of protecting the public interest
On May 20, 2025, in a solemn ceremony held in the plenary session hall of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment, a historic moment for the country's highest audit institution.
Participants in this important event for the institutional history of the country were the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, Mrs. Elisa Spiropali, ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps, delegations from 19 supreme audit institutions in the region and beyond, international partners, ministers, deputies, institutional leaders, academics, media representatives, civil society representatives, employees and former employees of ALSAI, etc.
The ceremony opened with the welcoming speech of the Chairman of ALSAI, Mr. Arben Shehu, who emphasized the importance of this anniversary not only as a historical commemoration, but as a starting point for the future:
"100 years of history are not simply a journey to be remembered, but a strong foundation for building the future. The Albanian Supreme Audit Institution will continue to improve professional capacities, adopt modern technologies and remain in service of the common interest.
This anniversary is not only a stopping point to evaluate our journey, but also a starting point for a new commitment, to build a more responsible, more efficient and more honest future in service of the citizen."
I want to re-emphasize that the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution will remain faithful to its constitutional mission in sync with the state's interest and at the core of every Albanian. We will continue to protect the public interest and that of every Albanian citizen, with dedication to the principles of the rule of law and good governance. I am convinced that our common path will continue with sustainable cooperation, mutual exchange and reciprocal support to build stronger institutions and more responsible administration", - emphasized the Chairman of ALSAI.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Elisa Spiropali, in her speech appraised the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution as a key instrument for strengthening democracy and the fight against corruption, ensuring Parliament's support for maintaining institutional independence.
“Parliament will continue to support all constitutional and legally established institutions and their independence, in order to fulfill their mission as guardians of public and citizen interest. The independence of institutions is a vital dimension of the proper functioning of powers in the democratic system, as much as their responsibility, transparency and accountability. We appraise your efforts to strengthen independence and institutional professionalism, as a constitutional institution, guided by the principles of the rule of law, assessments that are also reflected in the latest monitoring reports of Albania by the OECD and EU. Parliament is committed to the fight against corruption and for this it has sought and will continue to seek your contribution", - expressed Mrs. Spiropali.
The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation, Mr. Silvio Gonzato, also delivered a speech at the event. Commending the key role of the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution in strengthening good governance and transparency in the country, Ambassador Gonzato emphasized that an independent, credible and effective institution is essential for Albania's EU membership.
"Its work goes beyond auditing, helping to prevent fraud, irregularities in procurement and promotes transparency through open engagement with citizens and institutions. We remain committed to supporting the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution, as Albania advances on its path toward the EU. EU legislation requires that institutions such as ALSAI be independent and equipped with the appropriate resources and mandate to exercise control over all revenues and expenditures of public funds, including those of the European Union and other donors. Any changes that will be made must be in full compliance with the requirements of EU legislation and standards", - said Ambassador Gonzato.
Greetings at the ceremony were also delivered by the President of EUROSAI and State Comptroller of Israel, Mr. Matanyahu Englman; the Presidency of INTOSAI with representative Mr. Augusto Nardes, Minister of the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil; the Auditor General of the National Audit Office of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vlora Spanca; the President of the Supreme Audit Office of Poland, Mr. Marian Banas; the Senior Vice-President of the Hellenic Court of Audit, Mrs. Maria Vlachaki.
Through a video message, Ms. Enriqueta Chicano Javega, President of the Spanish Court of Audit and Secretary General of EUROSAI, as well as Mr. Einar Gorrissen, Director General of the INTOSAI Development Initiative, also conveyed their greetings for the 100th anniversary of ALSAI.
The ceremony concluded with a historical speech on the journey of ALSAI by Prof. Dr. Nevila Nika and the welcoming remarks by the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana, Prof. Dr. Dorina Hoxha.
The Chairman of the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution, Mr. Arben Shehu
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