Mr. Girish Chandra Murmu, serving as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, recently engaged in the sixty-third session of the Panel of External Auditors at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held on 20-21 November 2023.
This panel comprises leaders from 12 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) worldwide, responsible for overseeing the external audit of various entities within the UN, including the Secretariat, Funds, Programmes, and Specialized Agencies. Among its members are representatives from Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Together, they conduct financial, performance, and compliance audits of UN organizations.
The annual session served as a platform for collaborative discussions on diverse issues, such as follow-up actions on the Secretary-General’s responses to the Panel Letter, and addressing concerns linked to Financial and Management, Climate Change, and Digital domains. During this gathering, Mr. Murmu led discussions on pivotal financial and management issues impacting UN bodies.
In a separate meeting, Mr. Murmu, along with other panel members, met with UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres. They exchanged insights on risk management, the challenging financial landscape, and the necessity for well-structured funding strategies. Emphasizing the UN system’s crucial role in guiding and managing climate finance matters, the panel members also expressed worries regarding digital transformation.
Moreover, Mr. Girish Chandra Murmu was elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN Panel of Auditors for the upcoming year, showcasing India’s dedication to upholding the highest audit standards and actively shaping the global audit landscape.
In addition to his participation in the panel meeting, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Pierre Moscovici, the First President of Cour des comptes (the Supreme Audit Institution of France). Their discussions centered on bolstering bilateral relations between the two SAIs.