Magazine No. 26 - 2021 87 Studies and other articles However, data production was an area where international cooperation fortunately continued uninterrupted. As part of this development, SAIs also quickly began to consider the possibility of cooperating. Different kinds of cooperation related to the production of information emerged quickly. All SAIs probably share the opinion that COVID-19 boosted the cooperation between them. The fact that people switched over to remote work almost everywhere and stopped travelling lowered the threshold for cooperation. It is easier to organize meetings that can be attended from home or from your own office. It has also become easier to follow seminar presentations because, as a rule, they are streamed. Data production was an area where international cooperation fortunately continued uninterrupted How to prepare for the future? An obvious lesson from COVID-19 is that, in a very threatening situation, states act selfishly, protecting their own citizens. Another clear lesson is that, in these kinds of circumstances, there is a need for rapid and comprehensive information on different sectors of society. A third lesson is that a global problem can best be overcome by combining the whole world’s resources, both financial and information ones. An obvious lesson from COVID-19 is that, in a very threatening situation, states act selfishly, protecting their own citizens SAIs can play a role in all of these areas. Safeguarding the state and society requires maintaining citizens’ trust in their activities. SAIs already have an important role in this based on their mere existence. When future audits are targeted, it is important to keep in mind that systematic collection of data for the knowledge base of public decision-making is essential – especially in the event of an unexpected threat but also in fully normal decision-making. At least here in Finland, the pandemic has taught us that there is room for improvement. As SAIs are among the few authorities that particularly look after the overall interest, they can play an important role in promoting the development through audits. In addition, SAIs can also maintain international cooperation even in difficult circumstances and, through their own work, increase trust between countries, especially as regards the functioning of public finances. Further information: Covid-19 changed the management of central government finances - Annual Report 2021 of the National Audit Office (vtv.fi) Central government debt management - National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi) Direct business subsidies granted in response to the Covid-19 epidemic – Allocation and management of the subsidies in the early stages of the epidemic - National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi) Security of supply and safeguarding it during the Covid-19 pandemic - National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi) Business cycle heatmap has now been published - National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi) Estimated debt ratio falls in the fifth supplementary budget – see the updated visualization - National Audit Office of Finland (vtv.fi) More information: Visa Paajanen visa.paajanen@vtv.fi
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