Political Commitment Essential Against Corruption

Political Commitment Essential To Tackling Corruption

[Apia, 22 July 2010] At the close of the four-day Pacific Regional Meeting on the Ratification and Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), in Apia, delegates expressed their eagerness to report back to their governments on how acceding to UNCAC can support their national efforts at combating corruption.

“We want our members of Parliament to be made aware of UNCAC so that it is not just another United Nations convention to be acceded to by the Marshall Islands” stated Lydia Kaminaga, the Foreign Service Officer from the Marshall Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pacific delegates identified their national priorities in relation to UNCAC ratification and implementation, as well as their challenges and technical assistance needs. A common priority for countries was the need to assess their current legislative compliance with UNCAC, including identifying gaps in existing legislation and priority areas for reform.

The most significant challenge identified by participants was the need to build strong political will at home to accede to UNCAC. Endorsement by the highest levels of Government was considered crucial, but participants also recognised the need to promote awareness and support across the community. Human and financial resource constraints were also raised as a key issue.

“Our priority will be to get organised and obtain the national Leader’s endorsement. We will make a recommendation to set up an Anti-Corruption Taskforce, who can then lead the process within Government to promote accession”, noted the Federated States of Micronesia’s Assistant Attorney General, Mr. Johnson Asher.

On a positive note, the Director of the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit, Mr Razim Buksh, noted that while some States in the region suffer from capacity constraints, he was willing and ready to offer other Financial Intelligence Units in the region attachment opportunities as a ‘south-south capacity building initiative’.

The four-day regional meeting, which began on Monday 19 July and ended on Thursday 22 July, was attended by senior government officials from fourteen Pacific Island countries, and officials from the World Bank Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, European Union, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country offices and regional centre, and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

ENDS

© Scoop Media