C'wealth auditors general conference concludes

DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 14 (BSS) - The 20th triennial Commonwealth Auditors General Conference with the main theme "Accountabilityfor the 21st Century" was held in Bermuda from July 6-9.

Larry T. Dennis, Auditor General of Bermuda, inaugurated the conference, while welcome address was given by Madam Paula Cox,Deputy Prime Minister in-charge of Finance of Bermuda.

Ahmed Ataul Hakeem, Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, led the Bangladesh delegation that included Md Abul Kashem, Director General, Local and Revenue Audit, an officialrelease said here today.

Ninety-three delegates including 60 auditors general ofCommonwealth countries attended the conference.

The conference discussed two sub-themes - "The powers and responsibilities of the Commonwealth Auditors General" and "Supporting the scrutiny function of Parliaments andLegislatures".

In addition, three workshops were held during the conference.

One workshop titled "Strengthening Public Financial Management - Next steps" was chaired by the comptroller and auditor general of Bangladesh. It was attended, among others, by the auditorsgeneral of Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

The conference enabled the participants to share and exchange the ideas of strengthening oversight functions to ensure transparency and accountability in public financial management ofthe Commonwealth countries.

The next triennial Commonwealth Auditors General Conferencewill be held in Namibia in 2011, the release added.