(sav.gov.vn) – From 22 to 23 May 2025, the first annual meeting of the ASOSAI Working Group on Regional and Municipal Audit (WGRMA) for the 2025–2027 term was held in Saint Petersburg, the “cultural capital” of the Russian Federation. The meeting aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing among ASOSAI WGRMA members, enhancing professional capacity and promoting the dissemination of best practices in public sector auditing across Asia.
The establishment of the ASOSAI WGRMA seeks to support member Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and regional oversight bodies in strengthening performance and spreading good practices in regional and municipal audits. This year’s meeting, hosted in a hybrid format by the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, welcomed 56 delegates from Asian SAIs and observers.
The agenda focused on three key areas: Sharing experiences on regional (local-level) infrastructure audits; Adopting the group’s operational regulations; and Electing the Working Group’s Vice-Chair. At the first session, Mr. Cao Tan Duong, representing the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV), delivered a presentation titled “Enhancing the effectiveness of regional infrastructure project audits to improve policy and promote sustainable development.” His presentation featured a case study on the audit of the Ho Chi Minh City Environmental Sanitation Project – Phase 2, alongside practical lessons and insights shared with international colleagues.
The meeting was marked by active participation and a strong spirit of consensus. Members unanimously adopted the WGRMA Work Plan for 2025–2027 and elected the SAI of Malaysia as Vice-Chair. In addition, the SAV and the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation were jointly nominated to co-lead a subproject entitled “Developing joint initiatives with regional audit organisations and INTOSAI Working Groups.” This subproject, within the framework of cooperation with INTOSAI and regional bodies, aims to strengthen both institutional and professional capacity among WGRMA members. Upcoming activities of the Working Group will include an online meeting scheduled for September 2025, and the official launch of the ASOSAI WGRMA website to provide updates on group activities and project progress.
As part of the event programme, the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation also hosted a cultural exchange between the Working Group and regional audit institutions in Russia, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Controlling and Auditing Body.