Saudi Arabia wins the presidency of the International Institute of Internal Auditors for 2028
In a move reflecting the growing international influence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in global professional and economic forums, the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) announced that the Kingdom has won the presidency of the Institute's Board for the upcoming 2027-2028 term. This announcement was made during the first Board meeting of 2026, held in Cape Town, South Africa, where His Excellency Dr. Hossam bin Abdulmohsen Al-Anqari, President of the General Auditing Bureau and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Association of Internal Auditors, was selected to assume this prestigious position.
This victory marks a pivotal moment in the history of the internal audit profession, as Saudi Arabia has set a historic precedent by becoming the first Arab and Asian country to assume the presidency of the Institute's Board of Directors since its founding in 1941. The selection of Dr. Al-Anqari as the first president from Asia, Africa, and the Arab region is a clear international recognition of Saudi leadership capabilities and a culmination of the Kingdom's tireless efforts to develop its financial oversight and governance system according to the highest global standards.
This achievement aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability and raising the quality of professional practices in both the public and private sectors. The Kingdom's transition from participation to leadership and decision-making within the world's largest professional organization for internal auditing underscores the success of national strategies in empowering Saudi talent and reinforces the Kingdom's position as a global center of influence in shaping professional policies and guiding the future of the profession worldwide.
Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Hossam Al-Anqari emphasized that this significant accomplishment is not the result of individual effort, but rather the fruit of diligent institutional work and comprehensive strategic planning. He noted that the Saudi Association of Internal Auditors has played a pivotal role in elevating the national auditing system, contributing to its ranking among the top ten professional organizations affiliated with the International Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IIC) worldwide. He explained that this standing places a considerable responsibility on the Kingdom to showcase the development and maturity the profession has reached, and to support national talent so they can become active participants in the international professional community.
The Kingdom's presidency of the Institute is doubly significant, as it coincides with Riyadh's hosting of the International Conference of Internal Auditors in 2027. This convergence of presidency and hosting will position Riyadh as a global capital for the internal audit profession and a key platform for exchanging expertise and shaping the future of the profession, thus enhancing the Kingdom's soft power and reinforcing its leading role in guiding international organizations.
It is worth noting that the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is the world's leading professional body in this field, headquartered in Florida, USA, and boasts a vast network of over 170 chapters and professional organizations in more than 140 countries worldwide. The Kingdom's leadership of this major organization will contribute to strengthening the profession's sustainability and developing its tools to keep pace with the rapidly evolving economic and technological challenges facing the world today.
