Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, has been overwhelmingly reelected as the external auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO) for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. The election took place during the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 29, 2023, where Murmu secured an impressive majority of 114 out of 156 votes in the first round of voting.
The CAG’s reelection is a testament to India’s standing among the international community and the CAG’s professionalism, high standards, global audit experience, and strong national credentials. The victory was made possible by the unwavering support and tireless efforts of the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at Geneva, along with his officers and a special team of handpicked officers from the CAG.
In his address at the assembly, Murmu outlined his vision as the external auditor of the WHO, emphasizing the importance of process improvement for better outcomes, transparency, and a professional approach. This reelection marks the CAG’s second major international audit assignment this year, following his selection as the external auditor of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva in March 2023.
Alongside his responsibilities as the external auditor of the WHO, Murmu currently holds the position of external auditor for other esteemed organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) from 2020 to 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2022 to 2027, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from 2021 to 2023. Furthermore, he is a member of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors and serves on the governing boards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and ASOSAI.
The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva congratulated the CAG on his reelection, highlighting that 114 out of 156 member states present and voting had placed their trust in him. This significant achievement reaffirms the CAG’s reputation as a respected figure in the international auditing community and underscores India’s commitment to global governance and accountability.
With his reappointment as the external auditor of the WHO, Girish Chandra Murmu is poised to continue making valuable contributions to the organization’s audit processes, promoting transparency, efficiency, and effective outcomes in the field of global health.