International Journal of Government Auditing – April 2005
Bhutan
International Anti-Corruption Day Commemorated
The Royal Audit Authority, the SAI of Bhutan, commemorated the nation’s first International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2004, the 1-year anniversary of the signing in Merida, Mexico, of the United Nations’ Convention against Corruption.
 The prime minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, at the International Anti-Corruption Day ceremony |
His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, the prime minister of Bhutan, was the chief guest for the occasion, which was also attended by international dignitaries and senior
government officials. The prime minister stated that the problem of corruption must be dealt with at all levels—from the individual to the country to the world. “It is the duty of every loyal citizen to fight corruption in all its manifestations,” he affirmed.
To mark the event, the prime minister launched the fraud alert system that the Royal Audit Authority designed and placed on its Web site. The Royal Audit Authority had also
organized an essay competition on the topic “Combating Corruption—A Collective Responsibility.” The prime minister awarded prizes for the three best essays in two categories, and two of the winning essays were read aloud to the guests.
On the same day, the Royal Audit Authority sponsored a workshop, ASOSAI Guidelines for Dealing with Fraud and Corruption. The workshop was attended by senior officers from the Royal Audit Authority and internal auditors and lawyers from various government agencies, corporations, and the armed forces. The workshop’s objective was to make agencies aware of the guidelines and give them the opportunity to make recommendations or amendments to the guidelines so that they can be used to deal with fraud and corruption in Bhutan.
For additional information, contact: Royal Audit Authority, fax: ++975 2 32 34 91; e-mail: raa@druknet.net.bt; Web site: http://www.bhutanaudit.gov.bt.