BPK Vice Chair: VNR Review May Enhance the Effectiveness of SDGs Implementation
JAKARTA, BPK Public Relations – The Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK RI) hosted the ASEANSAI Knowledge Sharing Committee (KSC) Workshop on "Advancing the Role of SAIs in Reviewing Voluntary National Reviews (VNR): A Contribution to the Achievement of the SDGs." The event, held at the BPK head office auditorium in Jakarta on Thursday (29/8), was opened by BPK Vice Chair Hendra Susanto. He emphasized that reviewing VNRs can enhance the overall effectiveness of sustainable development efforts.
"By reviewing VNRs, SAIs can ensure that reported progress is credible, transparent, and accurately reflects the actual situation. Moreover, these reviews can identify shortcomings, highlight best practices, and recommend corrective actions, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of SDG implementation," said the Vice Chair of BPK.
Meanwhile, Auditor General of Malaysia Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, who also serves as the Chair of the ASEANSAI KSC, highlighted the importance of VNRs in assisting countries in identifying gaps, accelerating partnerships, and aligning national development plans with the global SDG agenda. He noted that by participating in VNRs, countries may increase their capacity to implement the SDGs effectively and sustainably.
The workshop provided a platform for ASEANSAI members to share their experiences and knowledge, discussing challenges, lessons learned, and best practices in conducting VNR reviews. The event included panel discussions featuring speakers from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Southeast Asian Network for Transparent and Accountable Governance (SEANTAG), BPK, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), as well as experience-sharing sessions from ASEANSAI members.
This workshop was expected to offer valuable learning opportunities from experts and other stakeholders on how SAIs can advance their role in reviewing VNRs. Additionally, it served as an opportunity to strengthen capacity and reaffirm commitment to advancing the SDGs through effective audit practices.
Participants included auditors from the audit institutions of ASEAN countries under the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institution (ASEANSAI), namely the Audit Office of Brunei Darussalam, the National Audit Authority of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the State Audit Office of Malaysia, the Office of the Auditor General of the Union of Myanmar, the Commission on Audit of the Republic of the Philippines, the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand, the State Audit Office of Vietnam, and BPK.