The three-day event, delivered by UNDP in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Attorney General, was held from 24 to 26 October in Port Moresby. The workshop was organized under the Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project (PNG Anti-Corruption Project) which is funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UNDP and UNODC.

Some of the topics addressed during the workshop by the participating practitioners working in the area of integrity and anticorruption were: What can public officials, especially their leaders, do to prevent and curb corruption in the first place, as well as control the number of related administrative complaints? What circumstances and conditions can lead to administrative complaints investigations?

‘’The purpose of this workshop is very important, and I’d like Papua New Guineans to take it to heart as well as encourage each one of you to participate actively and learn as much as possible. I’d also like to thank the EU and UNDP for this initiative as corruption in this country is a serious issue and such learning opportunities are a step in the right direction,’’ said Thomas Eluh, Chairman of the Interim Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The workshop was designed to educate, inform, and raise awareness among the key practitioners working in the area of integrity and anti-corruption who deal or will be dealing with administrative complaints investigations. Each session included theoretical knowledge presentations, practical exercises, the use of current regulations in a real-world setting, and an examination of alternative approaches to overcoming the existing challenges.

‘’The workshop is part of the EU-funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project which is a component of the EU-PNG Good Governance Partnership. The PNG Anti-Corruption Project is, inter alia, supporting implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action,’’ said Mr. Davide Messina, Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea.

UNDP organized also a 2-day training on Unexplained wealth from 27 to 28 October 2022 which was attended by 75 participants from public sector.

“Such initiatives are making an important contribution to raising the importance of addressing corruption, which undermines good governance and the delivery of basic services to those most in need. We know that corruption stifles business confidence and acts as a disincentive to investment. It also reduces confidence in institutions and generally erodes public trust,” said UNDP Resident Representative to Papua New Guinea, Mr. Dirk Wagener.

UNDP provides support to the key institutions to implement the National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action (NACPA) priorities in a coordinated and efficient manner and supports Non-State Actors in their anti-corruption efforts. Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNODC.