Hanoi (VNA)♒ – The Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) opened the 15th Assembly on September 7 under the chair of Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Tran Sy Thanh - Chair of ASOSAI for 2018 - 2021, and President of the State Audit Commission of Thailand Chanathap Indamra - Chair of ASOSAI for 2021 - 2024.

The Vietnamese Auditor General said the 15th ASOSAI Assembly takes place in a very special context - the COVID-19 pandemic remains unpredictable in the region and the world. Given this, it is held via videoconference so as to ensure safety and health for each participant.

Numerous efforts, initiatives, solutions in response to COVID-19

In his opening remarks, Auditor General Thanh said amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s serious impacts on socio-economic aspects of most Asian countries, the ASOSAI community has cooperated to carry out timely efforts, initiatives, and resolutions in response to the pandemic. He noted that SAIs have brought into play their role in managing crises and urgent issues. In particular, ASOSAI set up a COVID-19 response fund worth 200,000 USD to help members cope with the pandemic. It also established two working groups on the Sustainable Development Goals and crisis management. During the three years serving as Chair of ASOSAI, the SAV and other SAIs members have upheld the spirit of the 14th ASOSAI Assembly to implement the Hanoi Declaration on environmental auditing for sustainable development, Thanh went on. He said the election of the ASOSAI Chair for 2024 - 2027, organised online for the first time, was successful. Following the opening ceremony, SAIs discussed important issues of ASOSAI, including the ASOSAI strategic plan for 2022 - 2027, the implementation of the Hanoi Declaration, and the continuation of the Bangkok Declaration on “SAIs and Preparing for the Next Normal”. Speaking at the event, President of the State Audit Commission of Thailand Chanathap Indamra emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect, including the audit sector. Therefore, state audit agencies of countries should adapt themselves to the new situation. This is the 15th time ASOSAI members have met, exchanged viewpoints, and submitted proposals on the building of the ASOSAI community, he said, adding that it is the honour of the State Audit Commission of Thailand to take over the ASOSAI Chairmanship for 2021 - 2024. He also attributed the success of the 15th ASOSAI Assembly to the support of Vietnam and China amid the complex COVID-19 situation.

Continuous reforms made to boost development

Aleksei Kudrin, Chairman of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), held that as the world is undergoing many changes due to impacts of COVID-19, SAIs also need to change and align their operating methods with the context. He thanked the SAV, as ASOSAI Chair, for effectively dealing with many important issues over the recent trying time, thus helping to promote the ASOSAI community’s prestige in Asia. He also appreciated the National Audit Office of China, as ASOSAI Secretary General, organising meetings of the Governing Board to look into critical issues amid the pandemic. Kudrin, who is also Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Russia, pledged that the Russian Accounts Chamber will exert efforts to create the best possible conditions for promoting the exchange of specialised knowledge and experience in the regional and international audit community. After the opening session, Vietnamese Auditor General Thanh officially handed over the ASOSAI Chairmanship for 2021 - 2024 to the President of the State Audit Commission of Thailand Chanathap Indamra. He congratulated Indamra and the Thai commission and wished them more successes in the future, for the development of ASOSAI. Hou Kai, Audit General of the National Audit Office of China and the ASOSAI Secretary General, stressed that ASOSAI is viewed as an important knowledge sharing platform for SAIs in Asia and also an influential international organisation in the world. However, in the face of a swiftly changing world and new challenges, ASOSAI should make continual reforms to develop. ASOSAI will step up sharing technical advances and helping SAI members to play a greater role in socio-economic development and good governance. it will play an important role in the international community, according to the official./.