UN core platform for global governance

The United Nations is the core platform for practicing multilateralism and promoting global governance, said the chair of the UN Board of Auditors.

Hou Kai, who is also auditor-general of the National Audit Office of China, presided over the recently concluded 78th regular session of the UN Board of Auditors held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York.

Hou said that as an essential pillar of the UN's oversight framework, the board aims to promote the UN to strengthen management and improve performance, and its role can only be strengthened, not weakened.

The board will better fulfill its responsibilities entrusted by the UN General Assembly, and further leverage the board's role in exercising audit and providing service, he said.

Members of the board deliberated and approved 22 audit reports on the UN Secretariat and other entities for the fiscal year 2023, which will be submitted to the UN General Assembly and relevant entities respectively.

The board members had a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. They discussed the key findings and audit recommendations in the UN audit for fiscal year 2023, as well as work priorities and challenges faced by the UN.

Significant role

Guterres highly appreciated the significant role played by the board in assisting the UN in improving management and governance and strengthening accountability.

He fully recognized the audit findings and recommendations in fiscal year 2023. He said he would urge relevant entities to support the board's work and actively implement audit recommendations.

Since taking office on the board four years ago, Hou has worked closely with other members of the board in performing audits. Strictly adhering to international auditing standards, the Chinese auditors have so far conducted more than 170 audit projects, such as the UN Secretariat, funds and programs, and peacekeeping missions.