-    Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Vice Chairman of the Central Commission of Internal Affairs 
-    Representatives from the US Embassy,  
-    Representatives from ministries, and central agencies, media, experts, 

Ladies & gentlemen! Xin Chao!

A few weeks ago, we have celebrated the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day with the theme: UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption. This day commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Vietnam had signed and ratified the UNCAC in 2009, 14 years ago, demonstrating its commitment to combating corruption on an international level. 

UNDP is honoured to collaborate with the Central Commission of Internal Affairs and the Norwegian Embassy to organize today’s event to get your insights on the draft report on “Identification and prevention of corruption in the public sector related to the private sector- International experiences and recommendations for Viet Nam”. The report was prepared by two UNDP selected national consultants and is focusing on two emerging sectors in Viet Nam: health and education. 

This event is supported through the project ‘Strengthening Viet Nam’s Implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption”. The project has two components. The 1st component is to strengthen legal framework and law enforcement in Viet Nam for effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which is funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the State Department of the United States of America. The 2nd component is to build capacity in good governance, transparency, and integrity in public health procurement in Viet Nam which is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). Today’s workshop is under the 2nd component of the Project. I would like to thank the leaders of the Central Commission of Internal Affairs, especially the Legal Department, for their enthusiastic collaboration. I would also like to sincerely thank Norad for their generous support of the project.

The cost of corruption worldwide is estimated  at some $2.6 trillion annually, around 5% of the global GDP. These are finances that are diverted away from vital areas, for example many schools or hospitals could have been build or social protection programs could have been funded. 

Viet Nam has made strong efforts in preventing and combating corruption, since 2009, when it ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The Vietnamese Communist Party and the Government have implemented substantial regulatory reforms to improve confidence of citizens, businesses, and foreign investors in public governance. All these actions have strengthened anti-corruption efforts, especially in investigation, prosecution, and trial of high-profile corrupt cases. A lot has been done, but more needs to be done …..
In Viet Nam, there are many health and education challenges which must be addressed. For example,

Since 2009, the Viet Nam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index, better known to many of you as PAPI, has collected more than 160,000 responses from ordinary citizens on their opinions and experiences with national and local governance, public administration, and public service delivery. The 2022 PAPI Report finds that 29% of survey respondents said there are informal payments in the medical examination and treatment; and 24% of survey respondents said that there are cases where parents have to spend extra money for teacher favoritism.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Central Commission of Internal Affairs (CCIA) provides advice and daily support to the Polit Bureau and the Party Secretariat on policies on internal affairs, anti-corruption, and judicial reform. CCIA also acts as a standing agency of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption. UNDP has an honour to accompany with the Central Commission of Internal Affairs for many years to conduct several studies to recommend major policy issues on judicial reform and anti-corruption. 

And, today, UNDP and Central Commission of Internal Affairs would like to share with you a very important study that compares Vietnamese legal framework and practices with international standards and international experiences, provides recommendations for Viet Nam to enhance the identification and prevention of corruption, focusing on health and education sectors. I think these recommendations are very valuable not only for the Central Commission of Internal Affairs in proposing anti-corruption policies, but also for other ministries, especially the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, in developing and amending policies and laws related to anti- corruption. 

That is why your comments today are very important to help the consultants in making the report truly strong and impactful. 

To conclude, I would like to express my gratitude to all participants for your commitment to tackle corruption. This is a good way to show Viet Nam’s commitment in implementing UN Convention against Corruption and developing a society based on the foundation of integrity and transparency, with a continued effort to eradicate corruption. That is key for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with leaving no one behind.

Thank you! Xin cam on!