Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
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67th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (UNHCR)
(21-22 September 2016)

Agenda Item on Finance and Oversight: Report of the Independent Audit and Oversight Committee

Statement of India

Mr. Chairperson,

At the outset, we wish to place on record our sincere appreciation to the Distinguished Chair for successfully steering the proceedings of the meeting. We would also like to place on record our appreciation to the UNHCR team for detailed documentation and preparations for this event.

We are confident that the High Commissioner would continue to provide the highest attention to finding durable solution for millions of refugees while keeping their interest at the core.  In order to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of UNHCR, implementation of the recommendations of Independent Audit and Oversight Committee’s report is essential.  We request High Commissioner to pay personal attention to the recommendations of IAOC particularly which relates to regular meeting by the higher officials of UNHCR’s Internal Compliance and Accountability Committee (ICAC) to explore ways to further refine the structure and role of the ICAC to increase its efficiency and relevance. 

The UNHCR’s senior management should also undertake comprehensive and timely review and prompt considerations of the Report with a view to strengthen internal control systems and enhance clarity of the role played by desk functions of UNHCR. 

I may like to highlight the fact that the Independent Audit and Oversight Committee, in para 10 has pointed out that the time frame for responding to draft audit reports generally takes longer time, which has contributed to overall delay in issue of final audit reports.  In order to overcome this challenge, we urge the High Commissioner to ensure that the deadlines for responding to audit are adhered to, and people responsible for non-compliance should be identified and held accountable for their non-actions. 

We strongly recommendthe High Commissioner to ask Inspector General’s Office to adopt a more robust risk based approach in developing inspection plan and to document it in the Inspection Book; work out clear key performance indicators for inspection functions.  We may also like you to take personal interest in timely completion of all investigations and brief us about the outcome. 

The recommendations of IAOC for the senior management to develop and scientifically apply risk information for monitoring performance of projects and programmes on regular basis, needs careful consideration and implementation, at the earliest.

We fully support the suggestions of IAOC for simplification of policies, procedures and instructions applicable to field offices to bring efficiency and efficacy in the implementation of the projects.

We furtherrequest the High Commissionerto implement the suggestions made in para 33 on detailed and transparent reporting of financial statements as per the recommendations formulated under “The Grand Bargain”.  This is important for us, the Standing Committee and EXCOM to objectively examine the functioning of UNHCR and ensure accountability.

We are confident that the High Commissioner will take personal interest in ensuring compliance of the recommendations made by us on the Report of the Independent Audit and the Oversight Committee and brief us on the Action Taken Report at opportune time in coming months.

Thank you, Chairperson.

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