Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Decision by the UNICEF Executive Board to Make Internal Audit Reports Public

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

June 8, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The United States welcomes today’s decision by the Executive Board of UNICEF to make all UNICEF audit reports publicly available on the internet beginning later this year. UNICEF has set a new standard for transparency in the UN system. This groundbreaking decision is a first, and we and others are determined that it will not be the last. Every agency in the UN system is a public institution and, by opening its doors to public scrutiny, will ensure enhanced public confidence.

‪‪We especially applaud the efforts of UNICEF management and we commend the members of the Executive Board for demonstrating exceptional leadership in taking today’s action.

‪At a time when national governments all around the world are recognizing the importance of public openness and accountability, the UN itself should lead worldwide transparency efforts. We will continue to encourage other UN entities to move toward full, public disclosure, and we again urge the UN General Assembly to move quickly to meet this important new standard. Citizens and taxpayers around the world deserve access to information on how their money is spent, as today’s decision by UNICEF gives them.

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