Marshall Islands: Nitijela Fights Corruption

Nitijela Speaker Calls for Ratification UN Convention Against Corruption by Marshall Islands

17 February 2011

[Majuro- 16 February] “As a member of the international community, it is important that Marshall Islands joins the global fight against corruption. Our Nitijela must endorse the ratification the UN Convention against Corruption for the benefit of our children, our communities and our country.”

These were the words of Hon Alvin Jacklick, the Speaker of the Nitijela at the opening of the two day National Workshop on Ratification and Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption which is being held for Nitijela members in Majuro this week.

UNCAC was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2003 and came into force in 2005 It has already been ratified by 148 out of 193 UN member states, but in the Pacific, only Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Palau have ratified the Convention.
The workshop is intended to strengthen the understanding of Nitijela Senators of the provisions of UNCAC.

Ms Charmaine Rodrigues, UNDP’s Pacific Democratic Institutions and Accountability Advisor, is in Majuro facilitating the workshop. She observed that “UNCAC is the first comprehensive framework endorsed by the international community, and represents a groundbreaking global consensus. In the Pacific region, as far back as 2004, Forum Leaders called on Pacific members to consider signing and ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption to strengthen good governance.”

A range of Government officials are also resourcing the meeting, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, Attorney General’s Office, Audit Office, Public Service Commission and Chief Secretary’s Office. Representatives from civil society and the private sector are also involved.

Following his discussion with Senators during the workshop, the new Auditor General of Marshall Islands, Mr Junior Patrick noted, “This workshop is very timely for Marshall Islands. The Audit Office has a responsibility to prevent fraud, abuse and waste in the collection and expenditure of public funds. But in doing our jobs, we need the cooperation of our colleagues in the public service, as well as the public themselves, to tackle corruption.

“We are currently restructuring our Office in an effort to make us more effective in identifying misuse of public funds and referring corruption cases for investigation and prosecution. But it is essential that we are properly resourced in order to do our job to protect Marshall Islands public resources,” Mr Patrick observed.

The meeting will conclude on Thursday, 16 February 2011. It is envisaged that an outcomes statement will be agreed at the conclusion of the Workshop, identifying priority recommendations for strengthening accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Marshall Islands.

ENDS

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