Setting politics aside, CAG calls for independent auditors’ G20 platform

Amid a worsening conflict in Ukraine and shifting global power dynamics dividing the world into blocs, the Comptroller General of India (CAG) has issued a ‘paradigmatic’ call requesting G20 countries to set up an ‘independent institutional’ for the sake of global good.

Addressing delegates from G20 countries, guest countries and international organizations in Goa on Monday, CAG Girish Chandra Murmu, said: “It is worthwhile to consider an idea which strengthens this forum as a distinct, independent institutional track of G-20 group. This would, perhaps be, appropriate to SAI’s (Supreme Audit Institutions) independent stature, precluding all external influences…”

The CAG’s call was also seconded by G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant in the event when he emphasized that despite different cultures, political perspectives, and boundaries, the essence of humanity is the same.

The three-day-long Goa meeting is an apex-level meeting of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) of G20 countries.

Only nine of the 20 members of the G20 have attended the Goa meet. Besides India, the G20 countries attending the meeting are Russia, China, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Brazil.

The absentees are the US, Germany, UK, Canada, France, Japan, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and the European Union.

With the audit process being a neutral area that is devoid of implications for geopolitical positioning, the role of auditors is considered neutral and independent—which had already been stated under the Mexico declaration and UNGA resolution of 2011-14.

The CAG’s idea is also important because of the twin themes of ‘blue economy’ and ‘artificial intelligence’ that the ongoing Indian presidency of G20 has focused upon.

At the same time, the CAG suggested that no administrative change be considered for the purpose. “There will be no permanent secretariat and the same principle of support of the chairmanship by the troika will be followed, as at present and consistent with the organisation of the G20.”

“It is with conviction and commitment to the greater global good, that SAI India suggests this paradigm shift in sync with the Prime Minister's overarching vision for India's G20 Presidency of catalysing a fundamental mindset shift, to benefit humanity as a whole,” Murmu added.

The call for a distinct national auditors’ track in G20 is aligned with the very reason for which the inter-governmental grouping was formed in 1999 after serious economic crises. G20’S core mandate pertains to maintaining international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and furthering sustainable development.

Comprising the world’s most important economies, its members account for 85 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the world's population.

G20 meets have been unable to shake off the pull of global politics and posturing.

A G20 meeting on tourism held in Srinagar on May 22-24 was boycotted by China and Saudi Arabia. China had boycotted another G20 meet on R&D in science and technology at March-end as it was held in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh which China claims to be part of its South Tibet.

Differences are expected to sharpen in September when the G20 apex summit to be attended by heads of state is to be held. Western member nations have sought Ukraine’s attendance at the summit while New Delhi’s position is that Ukraine—with a small economy—is not very relevant to the G20 core agenda of inclusive economic growth, finances and climate change.

In total, about 200 meetings dealing with 32 sectors are to be held in more than 50 cities across India as part of India’s G20 presidency.