Vietnam serves as Chair of ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee for 2022-2023

A delegation of the SAV led by Deputy Auditor General Ha Thi My Dung is attending the 6th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI) which is taking place virtually on July 28 - 29. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) has fulfilled its role as Chair of the ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee for 2020-2021, and will continue to perform the role for 2022-2023.

A delegation of the SAV led by Deputy Auditor General Ha Thi My Dung is attending the 6th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI) which is taking place virtually on July 28 - 29.

The online meeting was chaired by the State Audit of Malaysia, which is ASEANSAI Chair for the 2020 - 2021 period, and attended by representatives from 10 ASEANSAI members.

Adapting to new situation

In his opening remarks, Bahtiar Arif, head of the ASEANSAI Secretariat, said that the 6th SOM focuses on discussing strategic issues related to the development of all member audit agencies as well as activities of the governments of the Southeast Asian countries.

Since its inception in 2011, ASEANSAI has reap significant achievements, contributing to raising capacity for member audit agencies and technical cooperation in major issues, he said.

Datuk Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid, Auditor General of Malaysia and ASEANSAI Chair for 2020-2021, stressed that COVID-19 has affected all different economic sectors, as well as main activities of audit agencies.

To adapt to the new situation, ASEANSAI needs to focus on the transformation of digital technology, and IT application to improve capacity for its member agencies and auditors.

Systematic changes are necessary for each region, he said, suggesting ASEANSAI prioritise sustainable programmes, both online and in-person.

Adding visions amidst uncertainties

Dung thanked the ASEANSAI members for their support to help the SAV fulfill its responsibility as the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the 2020 - 2021 period, and their trust in assigning it to continue assuming this position for the 2022 - 2023 term.

She emphasised that the SAV commits to making continuous efforts to fulfill its missions, actively participating in joint activities in order to tighten the relations between members and contribute to the successful implementation of the missions and goals of the ASEANSAI community.

As the Chair of the ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee, the SAV chaired a discussion on a draft ASEANSAI Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2025 and a work plan for 2022 - 2023 of the committee. 

The Vietnamese representative said that compared to the ASEANSAI Strategic Plan for 2018 - 2021, the new plan is added the vision, mission, and core values of the issues related to professionalism, innovation, quick response in today dynamic operation environment with many uncertainties.

Apart from chairing the ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee, the SAV is serving as Chair of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) in the 2018 - 2021 term.

The ASOSAI was founded in 1979 and pursues a mission common among working groups of the International Organisations of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), that “Professional supreme audit institutions promote good State governance”, and with the core values of “Professionalism, Cooperation, Equality, Creativity”.

Its goal is to promote mutual understanding and cooperation among member SAIs through the exchange of ideas and experience in public auditing, creating the conditions necessary for the training of State auditors to improve working quality and efficiency.

Delegates at the meeting (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The SAV became a member of ASOSAI in 1997. In its initial period of membership, it primarily sent auditors to attend training courses and workshops sponsored by the ASOSAI, to enhance professional capacity. Since 2010, the SAV has undertaken a more active role in the association’s professional activities.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency earlier this year, then Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc said the SAV will continue promoting the sharing of experience and training among state audit institutes (SAIs), which is the top priority ASOSAI during its final year as ASOSAI Chair in 2021.

The move aims to help SAIs make a timely response to constant changes in the public financial management environment, he noted.

The SAV is currently working with the ASOSAI’s Capacity Development Committee (the Board of Audit of Japan) and its committees and working groups to share knowledge and good practice and bolster the role of the ASOSAI in supporting its members amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to build an organisation with professional and dynamic SAIs that are able to respond to challenges and emerging issues in the region and the world.

Regarding the audit of water resources in the Mekong River basin, Vietnam continued working with international experts to provide training and set up audit plans for SAIs in January - February. The SAIs will conduct independent audits in coordination with the SAV and with instructions from experts.

In the fourth quarter, the SAV will chair an international conference to share the results of the audit as well as good practice in environmental audits and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), according to Phoc./.