AU Determined to be IPSAS Compliant in its Procurement Processes

The African Union Commission (AUC) held its 2016 Procurement Review Meeting, 14-15 April 2016, in Mekelle. The meeting was held under the auspices of Procurement, Travel and Stores Division (PTSD) to review the 2016 Annual Procurement Plan (APP). Focal Persons and representatives of AUC Departments were present at the retreat to contribute to the review of the 2016 APP .

The objective of the review meeting was to assess progress made to date with regards to implementation of the plan and adding new activities that were not part of the initial Plan. Speaking during the opening session, the Chief of Protocol, Mrs. Simone Abala, Chief of Protocol, who was the guest of honor highlighted the importance of procurement planning. Mrs. Abala said that Procurement Planning is an important tool for accountability and transparency, as a tool for measuring performance of the procurement function and for achieving economies of scale. Additionally she said procurement planning is one of the international best practices and has become a requirement by our funding partners.

The African Union has adopted International Pu blic Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in line with theInternational Accounting and Reporting standards in Public sector and also administrative and procurement reforms which calls for proper planning, conducting procurement in good time so that goods and services are delivered in good time before the 31st December deadlines in each Financial Year.. In view of that, Ms. Carine Toure Yemitia, Head of PTSD, highlighted that PTSD is determined to be IPSAS compliant and will meet this deadline in the 2016 financial year. Going forward, PTSD plans to have periodic reviews of the APP so that remedial actions can be taken in good time.

In November 2015 the PTSD prepared the 2016 Annual Procurement Plan for the AUC and has been executing the Plan in the first quarter of 2016. The procurement plan includes AUC departments need for procurement of goods and services in the year 2016 that will enable them to execute their activities to attain their departmental goals.