Published: 8 November 2023
Manila, Philippines, 2 November 2023 – The Commission on Audit (COA) hosts the 7th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI) Summit from 1 to 3 November 2023 as the incoming Chairperson of the ASEANSAI for the period 2024-2025.
Established on 16 November 2011, the ASEANSAI encourages and promotes good governance within the ASEAN region. It focuses on capacity development for Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of ASEAN member states and technical cooperations dealing with important and common audit issues in the ASEAN.
COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba leads the Philippine SAI in hosting around 68 delegates from the SAIs of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Dr. Khin Naing Oo, Auditor General of SAI Myanmar; Dr. Isma Yatun, Auditor General of SAI Indonesia; Ms. Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, Auditor General of SAI Malaysia; Dato Paduka Haji Yusop bin Haji Mahmud, Auditor General of SAI Brunei; Mr. Viengthavisone THEPHACHANH, President of SAI Lao PDR; Ms. Goh Soon Poh, Auditor General of SAI Singapore; Mr. SUON Sitthy, Deputy Auditor General of SAI Cambodia; Ms. Ha Thi My Dzung, Deputy Auditor General of SAI Vietnam; and Ms. Jinda Mahuttanawat, State Audit Commissioner of SAI Thailand, lead their respective countries’ delegations.
Ambassadors H.E. Phan Peuv (Cambodia), H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino (Malaysia), H.E. Tull Traisorat (Thailand), and H.E. Dodo Sudradjat (Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission, Indonesia), Charges d’ Affaires Mr. San Yu Kyaw (Myanmar), Mrs. Fadzllyani Annuar (Brunei), Mr. Phetsamone SOULIYAVONG (Lao PDR), and First Secretary Nguyen Thanh Thuy (Vietnam) as well as Mr. Jiang Haiying, representative of H.E. Hou Kai, Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Secretary General, and Dr. Sasikala Sankaran, representative of H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary General, also attended the Summit on 2 November 2023. Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales was the guest speaker.
“It is certainly an honor and a distinct privilege to host this landmark gathering – the first ASEANSAI Summit hosted by SAI Philippines and the first in-person Summit after the pandemic. This Summit assembles the ASEAN audit institutions that are strong and independent and premier stewards of good governance. Established in 2011, the ASEANSAI has continuously strengthened its position as a competent body that ensures that the value of an independent external audit function is upheld,” Chairperson Cordoba said.
“Truly, through our audits, we help build and sustain credibility of our own governments and ensure that public confidence is maintained or enhanced. But to be able to do these, we need to be introspective and ready for the vulnerabilities that abound in the environment where we operate. Thus, the essence of this Summit cannot be overemphasized,” he added.
“As the new Chairperson of the ASEANSAI, I am profoundly honored to welcome you all to this Session and with much hope and gratitude,” Chairperson Cordoba said. The COA Chairperson expressed his appreciation and congratulations to his predecessors, HE Mr. Tin Oo and Prof. Dr. Khin Naing Oo for demonstrating excellent brand of leadership during their respective terms, COA Secretariat and ASEANSAI Secretariat for the effective hosting of the event, and the distinguished guests who contributed their time to make Summit meeting fruitful.
Chairperson Cordoba effectively steered the Summit with the approval of six Agenda items: Appointment of the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) Thailand as the ASEANSAI Auditor for Financial Statements for Year Ended 2022 and 2023; Appointment of SAI Vietnam as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) , SAI Singapore as Chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee (RPC), SAI Malaysia as Chair of the Knowledge Sharing Committee (KSC), and SAI Philippines as Chair of the Training Committee (TC) for the period of 2024-2025, and the new composition of Rules & Procedures and Training Committee; Work Plans for the Executive Committee, SPC, RPC, KSC, TC, and the Secretariat for the period of 2024-2025; Appointment of SAI Indonesia as the ASEANSAI Secretariat for 2024 – 2029; Status of the Memorandum of Understanding with Swedish National Audit Office; and Proposed budget for ASEANSAI activities for 2024 -2025.
The first part of the Summit was presided by Dr. Khin Naing Oo, Auditor General of SAI Myanmar. Meeting Session I successfully approved five agenda items: ASEANSAI Annual Results Report 2023 of the Committees and Secretariat; 4th Revision of ASEANSAI Rules and Procedures, Launch of the Cooperative Research SAI Independence in ASEAN Countries: Implementing Foresight Tools for Preferable Future; Launch of the Fundamental Guideline in Construction Audit; and Handover of Chairmanship of ASEANSAI to SAI Philippines.
Meanwhile, a preparatory meeting conducted by representatives of the SAIs of Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines, and a technical meeting led by SAI Indonesia as ASEANSAI Secretariat and participated in by all ten SAIs were held on 1 November 2023. Delegates will also be treated to a cultural tour on 3 November 2023. #
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Dr. Khin Naing Oo, Auditor General of SAI Myanmar, hands-over the gavel to symbolize the turn-over of Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Supreme Audit Institutions to Commission on Audit Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba. |
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COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba (center) links hands with the heads of delegations of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the ASEAN during the ASEANSAI Summit hosted by the Philipppines from 1 to 3 November 2023. |