Chinese audit chief leads UN meeting

The United Nations Board of Auditors held its 77th regular session on Tuesday and Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York. The session was presided over by Hou Kai, the board chair and auditor-general of the National Audit Office of China.

The members of the board deliberated and approved 21 audit reports on the UN Secretariat and other entities for fiscal year 2022, discussed requests from legislative bodies requiring follow-up actions by the board, and proposed the work plan for the second half of 2023.

During the session, board members had a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a formal exchange of opinions on the key issues identified in the audit for fiscal year 2022, as well as the priorities and challenges that the UN has.

Hou said that the UN plays an important role in promoting the noble cause of peace and development, and that a stronger UN is needed to promote a community with a shared future for humanity.

He said that he would continue to closely collaborate with other board members, focusing on truthfulness, compliance and efficiency in relation to budget and financial management, in order to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guterres appreciated the significant role played by the board in assisting the UN in improving management, strengthening internal control and improving governance.

He said that he would continue to strengthen cooperation with the board, actively implement the audit recommendations and support the board's work.

The Board of Auditors, an independent professional body, plays an important role in promoting accountability and transparency at the UN.

Since taking office as a member of the board in July 2020, Hou has worked with other members to jointly lead the implementation of the audit work.

The auditors conducted audits of nearly 130 projects in four categories — the UN Secretariat, funds and programs, peacekeeping missions and the Umoja enterprise resource planning system.