New Delhi
November 2, 2007

India was today elected by acclamation by the Fifth Committee of the UN General assembly to the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

Shri V.N. Kaul, Comptroller and Auditor General of India was elected as a member of the newly established Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) of the United Nations.

The IAAC was mooted by the World Summit 2005 which asked for strengthening management reforms in the UN subsequent to which the Secretary-General, submitted a report entitled "Investing in the United Nations: for a stronger Organization worldwide", which outlined 23 broad reform proposals including setting up of the IAAC. The IAAC was established in December 2005 vide UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution No. 60/248 and will be operational from October 2007. The creation of the IAAC will contribute to the efforts to improve accountability of the UN Secretariat towards Member States and create a comprehensive management accountability and oversight framework in the United Nations.

The IAAC is composed of only 5 members, elected by the UNGA. The candidates have been evaluated and attested through consultations with an external relevant institution, such as the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). This ensures that only highly competent and qualified people are chosen for this sensitive task. The IAAC’s function is to advise the GA on the effectiveness of the UN’s audit and other oversight functions and on accounting and disclosure practices. It would also advise the GA on the effectiveness of risk management procedures and identify deficiencies in the UN’s internal control framework as well as advise the GA on operational implications of issues and trends of UN’s financial statements and reports.

Shri Kaul, who is an Indian Administrative Officer of 1965 batch, has had a long and distinguished career and has served in various capacities within and outside India. He has considerable international experience having worked in UNESCAP and has served on various international bodies including UN Panel of External Auditors and as the Secretary general of ASOSAI.

Shri Nagesh Singh, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Offices at New York, was elected to represent India on the ACABQ. The ACABQ is a 16-member subsidiary organ of the UNGA which advises it on administrative and budgetary matters.