Suva, Fiji - Representatives of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP) industry associations from Fiji and the Pacific region today concluded a two-day workshop involving United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) anti-corruption specialists and experts from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). The event provided information, learning and insights on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering with the aim of strengthening corruption prevention, anti-corruption advocacy and cross-sectoral cooperation in Fiji and the Pacific region. It was hosted in Fiji and available online across the Pacific region.

The workshop addressed the types, elements, factors and motives of corruption, and outlined the national and international tools used to detect and prevent it in the context of the relevant international, regional and national policies and regulations. By providing advice and information on how to identify suspicious corruption-related transaction indicators, and how corruption risks identified in different DNFBP sectors can be fed into national and international risk databases, the event supported DNFBP industry associations in preventing its institutions, affiliates and members from being susceptible to corruption.

Corruption has a major impact on any country and its people. If left unchecked, it can weaken government institutions and trap citizens in poverty and insecurity. Corruption can also have severe consequences for commercial organizations.

Nicola Noble, Head of Pacific Conflict, Stability and Security Programme at the British High Commission said: “Globalisation coupled with massively enhanced connectivity means corrupt criminals can now operate without boundaries. I am delighted to see the UNDP Pacific Anti-Corruption Project engaging so practically with such an important industry sector to ensure relevant information is available nationally and internationally to help identify, manage, and remediate financial, regulatory and reputational risk, and combat corruption.”

Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska, UNDP Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser said: “Preventing corruption and strengthening anti-corruption advocacy requires a whole-of-society approach. Among professional DNFBP managers and staff, considerable technical expertise is doubtlessly required. This workshop, which is just one element of the wider UK-supported UNDP Pacific Anti-Corruption Project, will enable the DNFBP business sector to build and implement more effective anti-bribery and anti-corruption measures within their respective institutions.”

Mr. Peni Komainavoka, Registrar of Real Estate Licensing Board (Real B) said: “Countries achieve a lower corruption risk by implementing effective anti-bribery and corruption management systems. Major measures for corruption prevention include education, strong leadership and effective internal controls. We have covered those issues today as well as the technicalities, and I am sure we all now are better equipped.”

The workshop was organized in Sigatoka, Fiji, by the UNDP Pacific Office project Strengthening Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries (“Pacific Anti-Corruption Project”) funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

For more information, or media interviews please contact:

Emily Moli, Knowledge Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.
Email: emily.moli@undp.org; Tel: (+679) 3227 504 / 7225 301