Suva, Fiji - The first seminar of the knowledge series kicked off today with the national anti-corruption and integrity institutions of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) for validation of the master-level anti-corruption knowledge sharing programme being rolled out by UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The knowledge programme is offered through the project ‘Strengthening Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries (“Pacific Anti-Corruption Project”) funded by the UK Government.

The knowledge programme aims to strengthen the capacities of key public sector organizations and officials to systematically implement improved accountability frameworks, including through more effective investigation and prosecution of corruption in the Pacific. The knowledge programme offers structured seminars led by a team of experts along with opportunities for direct mentoring and needs-based policy, legislative and capacity-building support to all 14 PICs covered by the Pacific Anti-Corruption Project, which include: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

British High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. George Edgar said, “Through the Pacific Anti-Corruption Project we support institutions, systems, and mechanisms to function more efficiently and effectively to ensure that PICs are better equipped to prevent and tackle corruption.”

“I encourage all professionals who participate in the knowledge programme to make use of the opportunities for sub-regional and regional peer-to-peer exchanges and cooperation to identify solutions to local problems,’ added H.E. Commissioner Mr Edgar.

The knowledge programme is anchored on the key Pacific regional and international frameworks that outline the importance of anti-corruption for improved development outcomes. These, among others, include the Teieniwa Pacific Unity against Corruption Vision, which was endorsed by 18 Pacific Islands Forum leaders in February 2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 which targets the efforts to combat corruption.

Mr Levan Bouadze, Resident Representative of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji emphasized that the long-term goal of the programme is to contribute to building peaceful, just, and inclusive Pacific societies by addressing a range of good governance and corruption issues.

“To achieve the goal, the knowledge programme will provide highly specialized knowledge-sharing opportunities for the Pacific national institutions to strengthen their core capacities to prevent and fight corruption to support the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs,” said Mr Bouadze.

At the end of the initial stage of the programme, which now spans until March 2022, over 200 participants are expected to be equipped with new knowledge and skills for better detection, prosecution and adjudication of anti-corruption and financial crimes matters.

Following the Seminar, the participants will also be invited to continue the direct conversation and exchanges with the experts and facilitators to discuss country-specific approaches and address any additional knowledge and capacity needs.

Contact information:

Tomoko Kashiwazaki, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji; tel: (+679) 715 8051; email: tomoko.kashiwazaki@undp.org