Minutes of the 6th ECOSAI Governing Board Meeting
(May 22-25, 2001), Bishkek/lssyk-kul Kyrgyz Republic.

Sixth meeting of the Governing Board of ECOSAI was held in Bishkek/lssyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic from 22 -25 May, 2001. Delegations of the SAIs of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Turkey were led by the following dignitaries in the meeting:

1. Mr Fahraddin Ismayilov, Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Auditors of Azerbaijan

2. Mr. Seyed Kazim Mirvalad, President ECOSAI and President of Supreme Audit Court of Islamic Republic of Iran

3. Mr Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic

4. Mr. Manzur Hussain, Secretary General, ECOSAl and Auditor General of Pakistan

5. Mr. M. Kamil Mutluer, President of the Turkish Court of Accounts, Turkey.

2. Mr. Soner Vehbi, President of the Court of Audit, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus attended the meeting as an observer.

The Inaugural Session

3. The inaugural session of the meeting was held in the "Silk Road Lodge' in Bishkek on 22 May, 2001. Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic welcomed the delegates and hoped that the meeting will have some fruitful outcomes for the collective good of all member institutions of ECOSAI. After the welcome address by the host, Seyed Kazem Mirvalad, President of ECOSAI inaugurated the, meeting. During his inaugural speech he made a mention of the achievements of ECOSAI as well as some of the difficulties faced by the organization during the preceding year.

1st Working Session

4. First working session of the meeting started in Hotel "Issyk-Kul Aurora", Issyk-kul on 23 May, 2001. The session started with words of welcome for the Turkish delegation that had arrived straight from Turkey the same morning. Thereafter, Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic read out the message of H.E. Askar Akaev, President of Kyrgyz Republic for the 6th BOG Meeting of ECOSAI. The house then adopted the agenda for the meeting without any change. Thereafter, the house took up various items of agenda for the meeting and discussed some of the agenda points. Mr. Manzur Hussain, Secretary General of ECOSAI presented Annual Report on the activities of ECOSAI. .While presenting the report he highlighted the achievements of ECOSAI during the year and made a mention of some of the handicaps faced by the organization. He made a special mention of the success of ECOSAI Secretariat in getting the commitment of Islamic Development Bank to extend financial assistance for the first training course on 'Performance Audit' which will be held in Lahore, Pakistan from 1 -13 October, 2001 besides other achievements of the ECOSAI.

5. After presentation of Annual Report, the Chair invited comments of the participating delegates. Heads of the delegations of SAIs of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Turkey impressed upon the need for involvement of all member institutions in the activities of ECOSAI for which they also made certain suggestions. During discussion on the subject which also continued in the 2nd working session of the meeting, Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic observed that the financial difficulties and the language problem may not be the only factors for the non-involvement of some members in the activities of ECOSAI. He thought that the lack of awareness about the objectives, goals and the good work being done by the organization may also be one of the reasons for their lack of interest. He mentioned that he had personal contacts with the Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kazakstan who had interest in the ECOSAI. Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, therefore, suggested that the non-active members should be informed about the organization, objectives and goals of ECOSAI. Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev also suggested that the active members of the ECOSAI should use their good offices with the SAIs of those countries with whom they have good relations. The Azerbaijan delegation agreed with these views. Taking part in the discussion, the Secretary General of ECOSAI, Mr. Manzur Hussain, observed that though we were using the words ECO but ECOSAI is a totally non-political entity devoted to the professional and technical advancement for the member institutions and their staff. He, therefore, thought that all member institutions should take part in the professional activities of the organization.

6. The Secretariat also presented a report on the activities of ECOSAI Training Committee which had led to the formulation of a three-year Training Plan for the ECOSAI on the basis of which the IDB had agreed to extend financial assistance to ECOSAI on course to course basis. The first of these courses will be held in Lahore, Pakistan from 1 -13 October, 2001. The Secretary General impressed upon all member institutions to fully participate in this first ever IDB assisted training course so that we should show our seriousness to the IDB on this account that should help us get financial assistance from IDB in future also. The meeting was also informed that the SAls of Iran, Turkey and Pakistan will also offer training courses to the staff of member institutions out of their own financial resources over the next three years.

7. After a very detailed discussion on the ways of involving non-active members in the activities of ECOSAI, the President of ECOSAI thanked the delegates for their interest in the matter and closed the session.

2nd Working Session

8. Second working session of the 6th Meeting of the Board of Governors of ECOSAI was held in Hotel "lssyk-Kul Aurora" on 24 May, 2001. First of all the matter of publishing the ECOSAI Circular was discussed. The Secretariat informed the house that the first circular was published by the SAI of Iran in the year 2000. It was also mentioned that as per decision of the 5th BOG Meeting, the Circular was to be published by the Secretariat every quarter. However, the cost of publishing four circulars per year will far exceed the annual contributions made by the five active members. After due deliberations, on the suggestion of the SA! of Turkey, it was agreed by the house that the Circular will be published once a year in the month of March/April by the members of the BOG at their own cost as per the following schedule:

2001 SAI Pakistan
2002 SAI Turkey
2003 SAI Iran
2004 SAI Azerbaijan
3006 SAI Kyrgyz Republic

9. Discussion on the publishing of the ECOSAI Circular was followed by the presentation of the Annual Accounts of ECOSAI by the Secretariat. After presentation of Annual Accounts the SAl of Kyrgyz Republic mentioned that they became active member of the ECOSAI in late 1997 and that their contribution of US$ 1,000 may be taken as annual membership fee for the years 1998 and 1999. It was also mentioned by Mr. Damir Oskombaev of the SAI of Kyrgyz Republic that membership fee for the years 2000 and 2001 amounting to US$ 1,000 will be soon remitted to the ECOSAI Secretariat. While discussing the issue, the Secretary General, ECOSAI thought that the membership dues from the non-active members should become due from the year they start to take active part in activities of the organization. The house accepted the viewpoint if the SAI of Kyrgyz Republic and the suggestion of the Secretary General. On the suggestion of the SAI of Turkey it was agreed by the house to place this matter before the next Assembly also.

10. The next item of the agenda that was discussed at a great length. by the house was the exploration of the practical ways for cooperation and sharing knowledge and experience among member institutions. After detailed discussions, the house resolved that i) training activities of the ECOSAI should be actively organized for involvement of all member institutions, ii) bilateral visits at all levels should take place between member institutions for increased cooperation, and iii) professional literature, reports and research projects of member SAIs should be distributed among other institutions to increase mutual cooperation. It was also thought that the publication of ECOSAI Circular in rotation will also help involve non-active institutions in the activities of ECOSAI.

11. The house also discussed the matter of publishing a Directory of the members of ECOSAI. The Secretariat informed the house that a questionnaire had been circulated to all members during the year 2000 but unfortunately the response of all member institutions had not been received. After due deliberations the house decided to publish the Directory containing information about the active members as well as that of the SAI of TRNC as observer.

12. The meeting also discussed' the possible themes for the 3rd International Seminar of ECOSAI that will be held in Iran in the year 2003. After consideration of a number of themes the house decided the following two themes for the seminar. It was also decided that every member may select anyone theme for writing the seminar paper.

a) Good Governance
b) Prevention and detection of Fraud and Corruption

13. Next to be taken up by the house for discussion were the other matters of common interest, The SA! of Iran suggested that a 'Homepage of ECOSAI should be created and the organization, charter and activities of the organization should be reflected in the homepage, Material concerning member institutions could also be placed on the homepage, After detailed discussion, the house decided that the Secretariat will survey this matter and present a report in the next BOG meeting,

14. Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic suggested the enlargement of the ECOSAI Board of Governors to 6 and inclusion of the SAI of Kazakstan. The Secretariat informed this could only be done after amendment of the ECOSAI Charter by the Assembly. After discussion in the matter, it was decided that SAI of Kazakstan could attend the next BOG meetings as observor.

15. Regarding the next BOG meeting, the SAI of Turkey offered to host the meeting in May, 2002. The house gratefully accepted the offer of Prof. Dr. M. Kamil Mutluer, President, Turkish Court of Accounts.

16. After discussion of all the agenda points, President of the ECOSAI thanked all the delegates for their active participation in the meeting. He also thanked Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic and his colleagues for excellent arrangements for the meeting and the very warm hospitality extended to the delegates.

Special Session

17. A special session of the meeting was held in the evening of 24 May, 2001 in which H.E. Mr. Altay Borubaev, Speaker of the Assembly of the Peoples Representatives of Jogorku Kenesh was the Chief Guest. H.E. the Speaker of the Assembly welcomed the delegates to Kyrgyz Republic and informed him of the important role and functions of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic as also, the independent status of the Chamber and the useful work that was being done by it. H.E. Seyed Kazem Mirvalad, President of ECOSAI thanked H.E. the Speaker for sparing time for the delegates. He also thanked him for the warm hospitality of Kyrgyz government and people. H.E. Mr. Manzur Hussain, Secretary General, ECOSAI also thanked H.E. the Speaker of the Assembly for gracing the occasion and briefed him about the activities of ECOSAI. The meeting was followed by a formal dinner for the delegates.

18. We, the heads of delegations from the SAIs of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Turkey have read the minutes of the meeting. All the contents are to our agreement.

1. Mr. Fahraddin lsma ilov Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Auditors of Azerbaijan

2. Mr. President ECOSAI and President of Supreme Audit Court of Islamic Republic of Iran

3. Mr. Azmat Kangeldiev, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyz Republic

4. Mr. Manzur Hussain, Secretary General, ECOSAI and Auditor General of Pakistan

5. Mr. M Kamil Mutluer, President of the Turkish Court of Accounts, Turkey.

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