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Asia Takes Concrete Steps In Anti-Corruption Drive

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (31 May 2002) - Governments in the Asia-Pacific region are passing laws against corruption and money-laundering, launching new integrity training programs for civil servants, and setting up systems to protect whistleblowers.

These are among several concrete actions the region has taken since endorsing the Anti-Corruption Action Plan for Asia-Pacific in Tokyo in November 2001. This was reported by representatives of 14 countries at the Action Plan's Steering Group meeting, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Manila this week.

Under the Action Plan, governments are developing effective and transparent systems for public service, strengthening anti-bribery actions, promoting integrity in business operations, and launching public awareness programs.

Officials at the Steering Group meeting reported on reforms taken to comply with the Action Plan and discussed with their colleagues from the region ways to put these into effect. "The strength of the initiative is the dialogue it generates among countries," said Lloyd McKay, Lead Economist, World Bank Philippines Country Office.

The Action Plan involves a prominent role for nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in raising public awareness and encouraging reform in cooperation with governments. It also emphasizes civil society's role in monitoring public sector programs and activities. "We value the Action Plan's commitment to involve business and civil society in the fight against corruption at regional and national levels," said Peter Rooke of Transparency International, an NGO fighting corruption worldwide. "Most projects proposed by endorsing governments reflect this commitment."

"The ultimate objective is to raise the standard of living for the people of the Asia-Pacific region," said Stephen Olson, Acting President of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, an international business association representing 1,000 firms in 20 countries. "Corruption siphons off revenues that could be used for education, health care, and social services, and hampers the ability of business to create the jobs that fuel economic growth. Reducing corruption will raise the quality of life for all peoples, and for their children and grandchildren."

Other anti-corruption measures were discussed by country representatives:

• Korea is planning to protect witnesses in corruption cases and to introduce a program to support NGOs working against corruption;
• Malaysia is conducting a public opinion survey to assess views of corruption and assist policy makers in formulating an effective prevention strategy;
• Nepal is strengthening the investigation and prosecution capacity of its anti-corruption commission;
• Papua New Guinea is training government employees to improve their ability to investigate and prosecute bribery offenses;
• Indonesia has begun a project to curtail misconduct in tax, customs and budgeting agencies;
• Mongolia is reviewing the legal framework for issuing business licenses to limit opportunities for graft;
• Philippines and Malaysia are implementing new anti-money laundering laws; and
• Kyrgyz Republic is drawing up administrative codes of conduct prohibiting conflicts of interest and promoting professionalism among state employees.

The Steering Group will meet again in early 2003 to make a first assessment of the concrete impact of these measures taken under the Action Plan, and consider additional legislative and enforcement actions. The group is also expected to welcome new endorsing countries at that time.

Kazakhstan became the 18th country to endorse the Action Plan on 22 May 2002. Other countries that have endorsed the Action Plan include Bangladesh, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore and Vanuatu.

ADB and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are jointly responsible for the Action Plan's Secretariat.

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