ENG-2019 — Page 51

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Constitution and Administration

the financial and accounting transactions of the government and other audited bodies. The director has statutory authority under the ordinance to conduct regularity audits.

Value-for-money audits aim to provide independent information, advice and assurance about the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which any government bureau, department, agency, other public body, public office or audited organisation has discharged its functions. Except for some public organisations where the director has statutory authority to conduct value-for-money audits, these audits are carried out according to a set of guidelines agreed between the director and the legislature's Public Accounts Committee and accepted by the

government.

The director's report is submitted to the President of the Legislative Council and laid before the council, where it is considered by the committee. In 2019, the director submitted three reports: one on the audit certification of the government's accounts for the preceding financial year and two on the results of value-for-money audits, Report No 72 of April 2019 and Report No 73 of October 2019.

For Report No 72, the committee selected two of the eight chapters for public hearing, namely 'Planning, provision and management of public parking spaces' and 'Employment services provided by the Labour Department, and investigated the remaining six chapters by making written enquiries.

For Report No 73, the committee selected two of the 10 chapters for public hearing, namely 'Planning, provision and management of public toilets by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department' and 'Provision of consultancy, research and development and training services by the Hong Kong Productivity Council; and investigated seven chapters by making written. enquiries.

The audit recommendations were accepted by the audited bodies. The value-for-money audit reports attracted considerable public interest.

The director's reports on the accounts of other public bodies are submitted to the relevant authorities according to the legislation governing those bodies' operation.

HKSAR's External Affairs

Active participation in international activities and close liaison with international partners have enabled the HKSAR to maintain its status as a global financial, trade, aviation and shipping centre. In 2019, HKSAR Government representatives took part as members of the PRC delegation in 87 international conferences limited to states3. HKSAR Government representatives also attended 1,566 international conferences not limited to states using the name 'Hong Kong, China.

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Including those organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, World Health Organisation and World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Including those organised by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Customs Organisation and World Trade Organisation.

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