GAO's International Protocols

This report has been superseded by GAO-06-394SP, GAO's International Protocols January 2006. This document contains the protocols governing the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) work that has international components or implications. These protocols are intended to provide clearly defined and transparent policies and practices on how GAO will interact with U.S. federal departments and agencies, other national governments and international organizations in its international work. They identify what international organizations and supreme audit institutions (SAIs) can expect from GAO. These protocols are intended to cover most situations that arise during the course of GAO's work and are consistent, to the extent applicable, with the protocols that govern GAO's work for the Congress and with U.S. federal agencies. These protocols--which are grounded in applicable professional standards and GAO's core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability--will enable us to conduct international work more consistently, effectively, and efficiently; achieve GAO's strategic goals; support improved government performance and accountability worldwide; and better serve the Congress and the American people.