Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (8 February 2020): Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu

TONGA:

Tonga accedes to UN Convention Against Corruption. Tonga has acceded to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, becoming the 14th and final Pacific Island country to do so, and the 187th signatory in the world.

https://matangitonga.to/2020/02/07/tonga-accedes-un-convention-against-corruption

 

FIJI:

Development of a national anti-corruption strategy underway. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is in the early stages of drafting a national anticorruption strategy.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/development-of-a-national-anti-corruption-strategy-underway/

FICAC targets primary school students in anti-corruption campaign. Starting them young, the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption clarified their approach to better governance in schools.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/ficac-targets-primary-school-students-in-anti-corruption-campaign/

 

PNG:

PNG maintains its position as most corrupt. Pacific country Papua New Guinea has again maintained its position as the most perceptibly corrupt country in the Pacific.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018731780/png-maintains-its-position-as-most-corrupt-pacific-country

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Fight against corruption lacks prominence in regional forums – watchdog. The chief executive of Transparency Solomon Islands says the fight against corruption should feature more prominently in regional forums.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/408193/fight-against-corruption-lacks-prominence-in-regional-forums-watchdog

 

SAMOA:

P.M. Tuilaepa warns about perils of ignoring corruption. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has cautioned Pacific leaders about the perils of leaving corruption unaddressed, consequently enabling it to "wreck great havoc" on island nations.

https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/57599

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu's caretaker PM facing perjury charge – report. Vanuatu's caretaker prime minister is understood to be facing a charge of perjury, along with several other high-profile defendants.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/408899/vanuatu-s-caretaker-pm-facing-perjury-charge-report

 

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org