Suva, Fiji: In a continued push toward the promotion of good governance and a corruption-free Pacific, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office, is supporting anti-corruption activities in both Fiji, and Cook Islands.

The exchange program hosted by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) sees four staff from Vanuatu’s Commercial Crime and Anti-Corruption Unit in Suva for a week-long exchange to share best practices on handling investigations, and discussing challenges in preparing successful cases, with reference to corruption and money laundering offences.

This initiative builds on the success of similar exchanges between Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Solomon Islands – with this vital work supported by the Government of the United Kingdom, via the UNDP-implemented Pacific Anti-Corruption Project.

Corruption remains a significant challenge across the Pacific. A recent Transparency International survey found that 90 percent of people across the Pacific are concerned about corruption, with the same survey also highlighting that several Pacific Island Countries consistently rank lower in terms of perceived levels of corruption compared to global averages.

British High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Dr. Brian Jones said:

"Everyone I talk to across the Pacific, from young people to women leaders, rural farmers to commercial investors, tells me how important good governance is. I'm proud to be part of our partnerships in this area, where we share knowledge and expertise to stamp out corruption, build integrity and bring together the Pacific family to share their own best practice and experience. It's a privilege to contribute to your efforts to ensure the Blue Pacific gets the accountable and inclusive institutions it seeks and deserves."  

Additionally, in the Cook Islands, financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Kiribati are participating in a peer-to-peer exchange that will assist in strengthening intelligence management frameworks in their respective countries.