On October 24th, in Ha Noi, the 6th joint workshop on "Audit of public transport management and operation" was co-chaired by Deputy Auditor General of Vietnam Ha Thi My Dzung and Deputy Auditor General of China HAO Shuchen between the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV) and the National Audit Office of China (CNAO).
The workshop on auditing public transport management and operation
Attending the workshop, CNAO was represented by Mr. CUI Zhenglong – Director General of the Economic Accountability Audit Department; Mr. LUO Tao - Deputy Director General of the Department of Natural Resources, Ecology and Environment Audit; Mr. XU Chaoyang - Deputy Director General of the Transport Audit Department and representative of the ICD.
On the side of SAV, there was Mr. Nguyen Ba Dzung – Director General of the International Cooperation Department; Mr. Bui Thanh Lam – Deputy Director General of Region Office I were present at the workshop and other representatives of SAV.
At the workshop opening, Deputy State Auditor General Ha Thi My Dzung emphasized the longstanding and vital partnership between CNAO and SAV. The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in March 2004 and re-signed it in July 2019. The two agencies have engaged in numerous fruitful collaboration activities over the many years of implementing this MoU. "Coordinating in conducting joint research, organising training activities, workshops, seminars, discussions, and working sessions on contents related to state audit activities on the basis of the needs and consensus of both sides" has been implemented regularly and actively by both sides. This workshop marked the sixth collaborative event between SAV and CNAO, held alternately between the two organisations. Such initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing long-term cooperation between the two agencies while also fostering knowledge in the field of public audit.
Mr. HAO Shuchen, Deputy Auditor General of CNAO, also highlighted the long-standing amicable partnership between CNAO and SAV, characterized by close and smooth exchanges. The two agencies have exchanged numerous visits and seminars at various levels, while also providing mutual support within international frameworks such as the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI). SAV held the position of ASOSAI Chairman from September 2018 to September 2021, with CNAO serving as Secretary General. This collaboration enabled both Chinese and Vietnamese agencies to work closely together in supporting the execution of various Ha Noi Declaration measures.
According to Mr. HAO Shuchen, CNAO and SAV encounter numerous similar problems and challenges in the field of auditing. Consequently, both sides have a wide range of topics to collaborate on and discuss. Regarding the workshop's chosen topic, Mr. HAO Shuchen assessed it as being based on the conditions of each country and in accordance with the new situation in the development process of the two countries. "We are eager to share with Vietnamese colleagues the experiences that CNAO has accumulated in related fields. Simultaneously, we also hope that, through this workshop, we can learn from SAV's successful experiences. By learning and observing together, we can make progress collectively, ensuring sustained economic development, constantly improving people's lives and promoting social justice in both countries"- he affirmed.
At the workshop, experts and delegates from SAV and CNAO actively shared knowledge and experience in auditing the management and operation of public transport. The representatives of SAV and CNAO respectively delivered three presentations on the following topics: Public transport audit practices of the CNAO; Audit status of implementation of SDGs in China; Audit of the management and operation of public passenger transport by bus in Ha Noi City carried out by SAV. Furthermore, experts and delegates actively discussed the key issues raised during the workshop. They shared additional experiences, practical activities and emerging challenges. The aim was to propose solutions for each institution regarding the audit of the management and operation of public transport.
The well-organized workshop would undoubtedly leave a significant impact on the part of friendly cooperation between two SAIs of Viet Nam and China./.