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. This marks his second term as the external auditor, as he has been holding the position since 2019.
The election took place on May 29, 2023, during the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva. In the first round of voting, Murmu secured an impressive majority of 114 out of 156 votes, surpassing the required 79 votes for a majority. Tanzania, the other candidate, received 42 votes. This resounding victory reflects the recognition of India’s CAG among the international community for its professionalism, high standards, global audit experience, and strong national credentials.
In a statement released in New Delhi, the CAG expressed gratitude for the sustained support and tireless efforts of the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva, as well as his officers and a special team of handpicked officers from CAG. Murmu was present at the meeting and outlined his vision as the external auditor of WHO, highlighting the importance of process improvement, transparency, and a professional approach for better outcomes.
The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva took to Twitter to congratulate CAG, stating, “Congratulations CAG, India! World Health Assembly re-elects Comptroller and Auditor General of India Shri Girish Chandra Murmu as the External Auditor of @WHO for 2024-27. 114 Member States out of 156 States present and voting reposed their trust in CAG, India.”
This appointment adds to the CAG’s list of major international audit assignments, following his selection as the external auditor of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva in March 2023. Additionally, the CAG currently serves as the external auditor of the Food and Agriculture Organization (2020-2025), the International Atomic Energy Agency (2022-2027), and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2021-2023).
Furthermore, the CAG holds significant positions within international auditing bodies, such as being a member of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors, the Governing Boards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and ASOSAI, and chairing the INTOSAI Knowledge Sharing Committee, its Working Group on IT Audit, and the Compliance Audit Sub-Committee.
Girish Chandra Murmu’s reappointment as the external auditor of WHO not only reaffirms India’s strong presence in the field of international auditing but also reflects the confidence and trust placed in his leadership and expertise. With his renewed mandate, Murmu is well-positioned to contribute to the improvement of audit processes, transparency, and accountability within the World Health Organization.