From the desk of ASOSAI Secretary General

The world today is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century. With the advancing of a new wave of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, nations worldwide are facing fresh strategic opportunities for development. Concurrently, the international landscape is fraught with changes and turbulence. Conflicts are flaring up in various regions, while development challenges, governance deficiencies and fiscal deficits continue to mount. Humanity faces unprecedented and formidable challenges, which demand greater rationality, more targeted measures and integrated coordination in national governance systems.

Asian countries need to pursue effective governance amid the complex interplay of domestic and international factors, and satisfy diverse demands through development and dialogue. And they need also anticipate and manage risk spillovers from a holistic perspective, so as to prevent “black swan” and “grey rhino” events from triggering large-scale systemic risks. More importantly, they shall meet the public’s demand for transparency and involvement regarding how public power is exercised and how resources are allocated in today’s digital era.

Facing the new landscape of governance, the supreme audit institutions of Asian countries urgently need to carry out comprehensive and cross-cutting audits to break down departmental silos, regional barriers and information cocoons. By focusing on the construction and management of government-invested projects, the allocation and use of public funds and assets, as well as the formulation and implementation of major policies and systems, through cross-cutting and penetrating audits to achieve in-depth oversight over public funds, the exercise of power and policy effectiveness. This will help identify the hidden risks and bottlenecks in the development of the governance system and the enhancement of governance capacity, and effectively boost national governance efficiency.

At present, some SAIs in Asia are also piloting comprehensive and cross-cutting audits that meet their national conditions, in order to enhance their national governance. By reviewing the good practices and cases of member SAIs in this important field, this issue of the ASOSAI Journal seeks to inspire auditors, encourage exchange of perspectives and experience, further promote knowledge sharing and capacity-building, and better leverage the unique role of audit institutions in supporting the modernization of national governance system and governance capacity.

We look forward to working hand in hand with all auditors in Asia. With a more open and inclusive mindset, a pragmatic and innovative approach, a more comprehensive and forward-looking perspective, and interdisciplinary professional expertise, we will continuously enhance the effectiveness of audit-based oversight, serve the well-being of the people, promote regional prosperity and sustainable development, and jointly open a new chapter for cooperation among Asian SAIs.