Oversight

An Internal Audit and Oversight Division, an External Auditor and an Independent Advisory Oversight Committee help ensure accountability, transparency and oversight of WIPO's operations and activities.

• The Internal Audit and Oversight Division (IAOD) is responsible for conducting - in an independent manner - audits, inspections, investigations and evaluations, making recommendations to assist management in discharging its responsibilities, achieving the Organization’s strategic goals and objectives and safeguarding its staff and assets.
• The External Auditor [PDF], the Auditor General (or equivalent title) of a Member State, is appointed by the General Assembly.  The External Auditor is appointed for a six-year term that cannot be renewed consecutively.
• The Independent Advisory Oversight Committee assists Member States in their oversight function and in better exercising their governance responsibilities with respect to various WIPO operations.  The Committee operates as an independent, expert advisory and external oversight body.  The WIPO General Assembly approves the Committee’s terms of reference as recommended by the Program and Budget Committee.