Speeches

Key note Address on the Closing Ceremony by the Hon’ble Chief Guest, The Chief Justice, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay

Address by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Bhutan at the concluding ceremony of the 4^th Annual Audit Conference on 23^rd July, 2001.  

It is my privilege and a great honour to address this concluding ceremony for the fourth annual audit conference. It is a millennium gift for me to address this conference, which has taken place rightly at this very crucial juncture in the history of this important organisation. I would like to extend my special appreciation and gratitude to the participants who represent a wide spectrum of stakeholders. The presence of constellation of intellectual elite and responsible personnel from different organisations on this occasion is an ample testimony of your abiding interest and the significance that you attest in the roles and responsibilities of the Royal Audit Authority.  

It is a tribute to the institution of Royal Audit that the Auditor General in being honoured by His Majesty the King. It is not only the recognition of his meritorious service but also the significance of the organisation in which he is currently posted. I congratulate Dasho Kunzang Wangdi and also commend all of you.  

Convergence of experience and divergence of the multiple roles of the Auditors during the conference will usher in greater appreciation of professionalism and ethic. Therefore, the theme of the conference “Accountability; A collective responsibility” is the reminder and a catalyst to the role of public and private sector for enhancing accountability in the society. I am also impressed by your efforts in conducting various in-country training programmes. It is evident from the report of such training, that the subjects of training offered a wide range on intensive learning that are comprehensive, holistic and cross sectoral. All of them are directly or indirectly relevant to the nature of auditors’ responsibility.  

In our political system, the Royal Audit Authority is long considered as one of the core institutions of good governance. The importance of the Audit is ordained by His late Majesty the King by his Kasho and special considerations granted by His Majesty the King. Maximization of public resource and legitimacy of the fund application are facet of good onward step towards Gross National Happiness. Responsibility and accountability are the inherent qualities in our Bhutanese administration.  

With an increased use of natural resources, expansion of investments in the projects, the rising demand for public accountability of persons and the bodies managing the public resources has become increasing evident. So, there is a greater need for pursuing the accountability process in its rightful place and being applied effectively. In view of the ever growing public awareness of public accountability required to cope with the economic and social development of the country, the theme “accountability: the collective responsibility” is considered very appropriate and timely.  

The Royal Audit Authority should wherever necessary secure legal mandate enabling to do the audit of all public enterprises. A clear and unequivocal legislative mandate outlining the powers and responsibilities of the Royal Audit Authority to undertake Performance Audit in all areas of Government activity should also be obtained. It is a paramount duty of every auditor to be fair and to observe the rule of law.  

Indeed, it is quite encouraging to have the presence of many distinguish representatives from the various international agencies in this concluding ceremony. It is indicative of your interest in making the Royal Audit Authority an apex body of accountability by investing in its institutional capacity building. The Royal Audit Authority needs the support and co-operation from the international agencies. Let us co-operate with the Royal Audit Authority to achieve the goal of “Clean Public Service”.  

With patronage of His Majesty the King, support from the people and assistance from the international agencies, I would like to command all of you for your diligence and dedication in your efforts to develop a clean and transparent public institutions and render “Clean Public Service – the Nation’s Pride” and avert the marauding disease, Corruption.  

TASHI DELEK!!