FICAC is hosting a study tour for Pacific Island representatives from the anti-corruption agencies to foster regional collaboration and share information in the fight against corruption.
The study tour, titled “Building Partnerships to Advance Knowledge Sharing on Anti Corruption Practices in the Pacific,” was officially opened by FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, followed by joint welcome remarks from British High Commission to Fiji’s UK Integrated Security Fund Pacific Programme Counsellor Josh Kemp.
Malimali says the agencies can all foster cooperation to advance the anti-corruption vision of the Pacific, that is in line with the international and regional commitments such as the Teieniwa Pacific Unity against Corruption Vision.
She says some of the related areas in which agencies can foster cooperation are anticorruption legislative and institutional frameworks, anti-corruption capacities and skills in the detection of corruption cases, strengthening anti-corruption education in the Pacific, and promoting corruption prevention as improved anti-corruption results.
She thanked the UNDP Pacific Office, being their longest strategic partner, and the UK International Development for organising these avenues and rendering their continuous support in trying to help all in promoting regional knowledge exchange and partnership towards the advancement of the regional and national commitments as stipulated in the Teieniwa Vision and relevant national policy and legislative frameworks.
Malimali is urging the guests, to make the most of it in these two days, and gather as much knowledge as they can from their presentations.
FICAC says the objective of the study tour is to facilitate the exchange of experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to tackling corruption among Pacific integrity institutions.
They say the study tour will focus on strengthening the technical and operational capabilities of the participating agencies, enabling them to address corruption comprehensively and sustainably.
FICAC says the tour, which convenes representatives from the PNG ICAC, SIICAC, ACC Tonga, and PSC Samoa also aims to enhance regional collaboration and solidarity among anti-corruption agencies.
Meanwhile, Kemp commended FICAC for hosting the event and have a Pacific-led training to share the practice of work from the different regions.
He says they want to work with partners throughout the world because they know they have solutions for the particularly transnational elements in illicit finance and the proceeds of anti-corruption efforts that flow across borders.
Kemp says it's wonderful to see so many representatives from Pacific Island countries' authorities here today.
He says one of the great privileges of his job is working with programs that cover not only anti-corruption but also the police and media sectors.
Kemp says this allows him to see how the Pacific region manifests itself in various areas, not just at the Pacific Islands Forum level, but also in working groups like these.
Deanne Allan, the Executive Director of Prevention and Engagement for the Papua New Guinea Independent Commission Against Corruption, says the two-day study tour was beneficial, as her commission is very new, and she is eager to learn about outreach and the creation of training programs.
She says they have a particular focus on the media, communications with engagement, and events; they are also setting up the prevention team with the national strategic coordination team, and are recruiting heavily.
The study tour ends today.
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