Mr. Ngo Van Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee, SAV’s Auditor General paid a working visit to the South African Republic

At the invitation of Ms. Tsakani Maluleke, the Auditor General of South Africa, the delegation of the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV) led by Mr. Ngo Van Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee, SAV’s Auditor General paid a working visit at the South African Republic during 16-21 April 2023. Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi attended the meeting at the AGSA Office.

Welcoming the high-level delegation of SAV, Ms. Maluleke said that the meeting was a great opportunity for AGSA and SAV to share professional knowledge and experience as well as bilateral cooperation plans of the two SAIs in the near future.

Introducing the history, functions and missions of AGSA, Ms. Maluleke said that AGSA's achievements have significantly contributed to solving socio-economic challenges which are being faced by South Africa. AGSA was established in 1911 with its mandate as clearly indicated in the Constitution and has acted as the Supreme Audit Institute (SAI) of South Africa. AGSA has helped ensures the strengthening of its national democracy by promoting oversight, accountability and public governance in the public sector through audit activities and creating building public trust thereby.

Maluleke emphasized: “It is strongly believed that both SAIs will grow stronger if we continuously enhance our bilateral relationship and take possibles opportunities for learning from each other. We are delighted at what SAV has shared with us, particularly on how you handled financial violations during the audit assignment, and it is a pleasure for us to learn from you about the environmental audit. From our side, we are willing to share lessons and experiences on information technology auditing and other audit types of SAV’s concern".

Mr. Ngo Van Tuan expressed his gratitude and high appreciation to AGSA’s Auditor General for her respectful and thoughtful welcome, while also mentioning several information and socioeconomic achievements of Viet Nam in recent years. Introducing SAV, Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan said: “Although established in 1994, SAV has actively participated in multilateral organizations such as the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI), and is one of the four co-founding members of the Southeast Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI). SAV also served as the Chairman of ASOSAI for the 2018-2021 terms and the Chairman of the ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee”.
 
Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke presented a souvenir to Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan
  
Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan shared that during its operation, SAV has made every effort to perfect its legal framework, and has issued 39 Auditing Standards in accordance with INTOSAI and many other regulations to ensure its independence and compliance with the law. “SAV has strengthened performance audit and compliance audit, focusing on heated topics or those with wrongdoings and corruption risk exposure and those serving the supreme oversight of the National Assembly” – Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan emphasized.

Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan highly appreciated the active participation of AGSA with its 112-year history and experience serving in other international and regional organizations, specifically its participation in various INTOSAI working groups.

At the meeting, the Heads of both SAIs agreed to promote bilateral cooperation activities and further strengthen the experience exchange and sharing between the two SAIs, especially in the audit types as both SAIs’ strengths.

Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan proposed increasing of delegation exchange, including high-level delegations, organizing joint workshops and exchanging working delegations for the purpose of sharing professional experience, particularly in the capacity building for auditors, application of ISSAIs to audit activities. Within the multilateral cooperation framework, SAV wishes to receive AGSA’s continued support and cooperation in the INTOSAI forum.

Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan cordially invited AGSA’s Auditor General and her colleagues to pay a working visit to Viet Nam at her earliest convenience or in 2024 when SAV celebrates the 30th anniversary of its establishment.
 

Group photo between the Auditor General of SAV and Deputy Auditor General of AGSA

SAV delegation also had a meeting with Mr. Vonani Chauke, Deputy Auditor General of the AGSA. The two agencies discussed and shared practical experience on the followings: Audit quality control; audit against corruption and wastefulness; lessons learned on the implementation of INTOSAI's auditing standards, and auditor's expertise enhancement. SAV, in particular, has extensive experiences in handling financial violations during the audit implementation, which was highly valued by South African colleagues./.