Through the ‘PNG Anti-Corruption Project’ funded by the European Union, UNDP and United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supported the PNG Interim Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to organize an event to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) in Port Moresby on 9 December.

The event themed as ‘UNCAC AT 20: Uniting the world against corruption – Setting the path to combating corruption in PNG’ emphasized the significance of fighting corruption in Papua New Guinea and a crucial link between anti-corruption, peace, security, and development. The occasion also marked the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

According to Mr Thomas Eluh, the Interim Chairman of ICAC, addressing corruption in Papua New Guinea is indeed a challenge, but the PNG ICAC is committed to taking the lead and providing all the necessary support in addressing and preventing corruption in the country.

‘’Fighting corruption in PNG requires a coordinated approach taking into consideration the cultural aspects, social norms, politics, geography, history, and economy. We are on the right path - there is political will, government commitment, assistance from our development partners, a renewed interest and willingness of many honest Papua New Guineans and the general positive publicity towards countering and preventing corruption,’’ said Mr. Eluh.

The speakers at the event included representatives from ICAC, Delegation of the European Union to PNG, UNDP and UNODC, Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PMNEC), Transparency International PNG, and the Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network.

"Anti-corruption initiatives in Papua New Guinea have increased in recent years. Successive governments have made condemning corruption a priority and have made significant progress," said Amb. Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, Chief Secretary to Government, Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council.

“The Whistleblower Act, the Unexplained Wealth Act, and revisions to the Proceeds of Crime Act are just a few of the highly significant pieces of legislation that the Parliament has passed. It is now our duty to take ownership and implement these laws, to put in place the required framework and the mechanisms, to facilitate inclusive collaboration and to address corruption at all levels of our society,’’ said Ambassador Pomaleu.

Dr. Razvan Silviu Jora, Deputy Head of Mission, Delegation of the European Union to Papua New Guinea, stated that: "Corruption affects all of us, it is an immense threat all over the world that is why a convention such as the UNCAC was established twenty years ago, to address this universal phenomenon. This event today is very important as it signifies and reflects the political will and momentum that are evident in Papua New Guinea’s efforts to combat corruption."

“International Anti-Corruption Day is an important global awareness raising event for all anti-corruption stakeholders. It brings together professionals and academics from the public sector, civil society organizations, private sector and media to share their views, findings and proposed strategies related to fight against corruption. The celebration of the IACD 2022 this year was of great importance for PNG as it was organized by the Independent Commission Against Corruption for the first time, in partnership with UNDP and UNODC and with the support from the European Union,” said Alma Sedlar, UNDP Chief Technical Adviser (Anti-Corruption).

The Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project (PNG Anti-Corruption Project) implemented jointly by United Nations Development Programme Papua New Guinea (UNDP) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by the European Union aims to strengthen the Government’s commitment and capacities to address corruption in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).