UN appoints Israeli for auditing mechanisms, financial controls, for first time in history

The IAAC, a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, is in charge of advising the General Assembly on transparency, accountability, and the management of UN resources.

Shay Mizrahi, Deputy Director General and Head of the Local Government Audit Division at the State Comptroller's Office, was appointed on Friday as a member of the United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) for a three-year term.

This marks the first time an Israeli has been appointed to the committee, which oversees the organization's auditing mechanisms, risk management, and financial controls.

The IAAC, a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, is also in charge of advising the General Assembly on transparency, accountability, and the management of UN resources.

Mizrahi ran as a candidate for the position under the UN’s Western Group, which has previously only been represented by American candidates, with the support of Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon and the delegations of friendly countries. 

Mizrahi has more than two decades of experience holding senior positions in the State Comptroller's Office. He also served as Israel’s representative on an OECD peer review team, represented the State Comptroller's Office in international forums of supreme audit institutions, and led cooperation initiatives with audit bodies in Europe.

An important achievement for State of Israel, diplomatic efforts

Danon described Mizrahi’s appointment as an important achievement for the State of Israel and its diplomatic efforts on the world stage.

“At a time when Israel faces repeated attempts at exclusion and delegitimization within UN institutions, this appointment demonstrates that Israeli professionalism, experience, and excellence continue to earn international recognition and appreciation,” Danon continued.

Danon vowed to continue working to make sure Israeli officials can contribute their expertise and capabilities to the UN by serving in positions throughout the organization.