On May 20, 2026, the French Court of Auditors was officially appointed as the External Auditor of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2026, becoming the first SAI to hold this position.
The WOAH was founded in 1924 to initially combat infectious animal diseases that could threaten people’s livelihoods; today, the Organization ensures a coordinated global response to animal health emergencies, prevents and controls animal diseases, and promotes animal health and welfare while improving access to animal care. It is also particularly active on issues related to the health relationship between humans and animals, a subject of vital importance as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, fears of a hantavirus crisis. The Organization is headquartered in Paris and currently has 183 members; it also has some twenty regional offices located around the world.
The Organization’s 2025 budget is 53 million euros; France contributes 5 million euros to this amount. The Court’s mission under its mandate is to conduct the annual financial audit and certify the Organization’s accounts in accordance with IPSAS accounting standards. In addition, the Court may conduct compliance and performance audits.
