Finally, the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Mr. Pacco Siri, delivered Vanuatu’s statement at the 10th Session of the Conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Atlanta, United States of America.
On behalf of the Government of Vanuatu, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important event and to present our position on the fight against corruption.
Corruption poses a significant threat to the principles of good governance, the rule of law and sustainable development. It undermines public trust, erodes the integrity of institutions and stifles economic growth. Vanuatu, as a small island developing state, recognizes the urgent need for collective action to combat corruption and promote transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in the context of the unique vulnerabilities of Pacific island states
In recent years, Vanuatu has made significant progress in strengthening its legal framework and institutional capacity to fight corruption. We have recently enacted robust legislation, including a Corruption Act, which is in draft form, to criminalize corrupt practices and establish an ad hoc Anti-Corruption Commission within the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
Vanuatu has also developed whistleblower legislation and a Political Integrity Act, which is recently ratified by Parliament. In addition, the establishment of the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has enhanced our ability to detect and prevent money laundering and illicit financial flows and combat corruption within our borders. However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done.
Vanuatu is committed to implementing the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption through the establishment of the National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Committee (NIAC) and creating a strategic framework for anti-corruption in Vanuatu for the period 2018 to 2023. This will further align our national efforts with international best practice.
We recognize the importance of international cooperation and technical assistance in building capacity in small island states that are tailored to our unique circumstances and vulnerabilities that allow us to effectively combat corruption.
To this end, Vanuatu has been actively engaging with international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), regional organizations, and bilateral donors to strengthen our anti-corruption efforts.
Furthermore, Vanuatu is committed to promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. We are working towards enhancing the integrity of our public procurement procedures, improving financial management systems, and fostering a culture of ethics and integrity within our public institutions.
By promoting transparency and accountability, we can create an enabling environment for sustainable development and inclusive growth that fits our development context.
In conclusion, Vanuatu reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations Convention against Corruption and its principles. We stand ready to collaborate with our international partners to strengthen our anti-corruption efforts, share experiences, and learn from best practices. Together we can build a future where corruption is eradicated and the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability prevail.