Under the leadership of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the SAI20 Summit commenced in Goa. The summit held as part of India’s G20 Presidency drew attention for its focus on key agenda items including Blue Economy and Responsible AI. Importantly, the event promoted a spirit of collaboration and exchange of knowledge among Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs).
Key Points: Focus Areas of SAI20 Summit
The Summit identified two specific priority areas – “Blue Economy” and “Responsible Artificial Intelligence”. These issues are representative of both modern opportunities and challenges. The summit stressed the need for genuine cooperation among Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) particularly for knowledge sharing and capacity-building exercises.
Center of Excellence in the Blue Economy
The establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Blue Economy at SAI India’s International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED) is a notable highlight of the Summit. The bold vision of the center is to foster research and act as a catalyst for facilitating knowledge exchange and building capacity among SAIs.
Compendiums on Blue Economy and Responsible AI
Furthering the focus on these two areas were the release of two compendiums on the Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence. These pivotal works were made possible owing to contributions from various Supreme Audit Institutions.
The Role of Supreme Audit Institutions
Supreme Audit Institutions face a unique challenge when it comes to auditing activities related to the Blue Economy and Responsible AI. This is due to their cross-cutting, ubiquitous nature and the continuous evolution of technology. SAIs play a vital role in ensuring good governance, transparency, and accountability in these areas.
CAG: India’s Top Audit Institution
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is a constitutional body established under Article 148. The CAG oversees the entire financial system of the country, both at the Centre and State levels, safeguarding public resources. The executive’s accountability to the Parliament in financial administration is assured through audit reports by the CAG.
The President appoints the CAG for a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever occurs first. The removal process for the CAG position is the same as that for a judge of the Supreme Court.
Additional Details about Comptroller and Auditor General
Upon leaving office, the CAG is not eligible for further government service. The Parliament determines their remuneration and other service conditions. No minister can represent the CAG in the Parliament.
Recent Developments
Girish Chandra Murmu, currently serving as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), has been re-elected as External Auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva from 2024 to 2027. He has held this position since 2019 and will continue to do so until 2023.
About G20
Formed as an informal group, G20 includes representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and 19 nations plus the European Union. It aims to foster strong global economic growth. The members collectively contribute over 80% of the global GDP. The decision to establish it as a premier forum for international economic cooperation was taken during the Pittsburgh Summit in Pennsylvania, USA, in September 2009. A trivia: Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey are all members of the G20.