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Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa (4th from right) launched the country's first National Anti-Corruption Policy 2023-2028
In a move that reflects its serious stance on reducing and eliminating corruption, the Government of Samoa launched its first National Anti-Corruption Policy and Strategy 2023-2028, earlier this month.
The Policy is a milestone in Samoa's anti-corruption journey as part of its commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which it acceded to in 2018.
"We must instil an anti-corruption culture across our nation. This national policy aims to achieve this. Samoa must strive to be known as a nation with integrity. Hence the vision of this National Anti-Corruption Policy of 'towards a corruption free Samoa'. It is our mission 'to prevent, curb and address corruption in all its forms' in Samoa." Hon. Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, at the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Policy.
The Policy is the culmination of years of sustained and targeted work by the government's integrity organisations, led by the Samoa Public Service Commission (PSC), and included the Samoa Audit Office, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Police and Prisons, the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, and others.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the success of the Policy rests on everyone, from Parliament to the Judiciary, Government, private sector, civil society, communities, and development partners. The Prime Minister also recognised the critical role the media plays to hold the Government accountable for all actions, and inactions, which is why it continues to strengthen efforts to allow for easier public access to official information.
UNDP Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita (middle) with the Chairman of the Samoa Public Service Commission, Nonu Saleimoa Vaai (left), and PSC Commissioner, Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga (right).
This key achievement for the Government of Samoa was supported under the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project (UNPRAC), implemented jointly by UNDP Samoa and the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji with the Government of New Zealand, to support Pacific Island countries address corruption in the region.
"UNDP’s approach, in line with our four year commitment to the region and Samoa, as per the new Multi Country Programme Document 2023-2027, aims to strengthen anti-corruption institutions and systems by leveraging anticipatory, adaptive, and agile governance systems that are future-proof and shock-resilient, strengthening legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that promote and regulate holistic and coherent corruption interventions, as evident in this launch. We are also supporting the implementation of UNCAC, mitigating corruption risks in essential sectors, and strengthening inclusive, mainstreamed actions of governments, civil society and the private sector in combating corruption." UNDP Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita.
(l-r) UNDP Programme Analyst - Governance & Prosperity Unit, Taupa'ū Joseph Mulipola, and UNDP Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita.
Since 2016, UNDP has been committed to supporting Pacific Island countries like Samoa, by working with governments, the private sector, women, youth, and civil society organisations to shape and strengthen inclusive institutions that are resilient to corruption and grounded on the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity, in accordance with UNCAC, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pacific Roadmap on Anti-Corruption, and the Teieniwa Pacific Unity Against Corruption Vision.
PSC CEO, Kolone Tikeri (far left, back row), with PSC staff at the launch of the Samoa National Anti-Corruption Policy.
At the international level, Samoa has completed its first country review of the UN Convention Against Corruption, with assistance from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and UNCAC, and reviewing countries of Oman and South Sudan. Samoa's second review is near completion, following a country visit from the UNODC and reviewers from Papua New Guinea and Mongolia earlier this year in March. The final report is set to be released before the end of the year.
As a result of Samoa's first Review, its Crimes Act 2013 is now under review for changes to strengthen anti-corruption measures, which are all linked to the implementation plan of this Policy document.
The establishment of an Integrity Commission is also in the pipeline.
The Samoa National Anti-Corruption Policy and Strategy 2023-2028.
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