7th ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption initiative on Asia and the Pacific begins
President stresses need for multi faceted approach to tackle the menace
The 7th Regional Conference of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption initiative on Asia and the Pacific was inaugurated by the President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in New Delhi today. The Conference is aimed at ‘building multi-disciplinary framework to combat corruption’. In her remarks, the President said that The ADB-OECD Initiative on Anti Corruption, which now has more than a decade of experience, is committed to move forward purposefully, in the fight against corruption. India has an elaborate legal and institutional framework for prevention and combating corruption in public services. The Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation, State anti corruption agencies, the Directorate of Enforcement, and the Lokayuktas tackle preventive and punitive aspects of corruption, she said.
The President added that any approach to combating corruption would need to be multifaceted, as the problem itself has a number of dimensions. Governments would have to constantly look at and review existing laws, systems and procedures for ensuring their effectiveness. It would require strengthening institutions, removing loopholes, stringently implementing laws and making every institution more transparent in its functioning. All the stakeholders have to work together in all these initiatives. I believe that any fight against corruption also requires the need to look at individual behavior as well as societal norms, she added. [ Full text of President’s speech is available on website presidentofindia.nic.in]
Shri V. Narayanasamy, MoS, Personnel, PG & Pensions in his speech said that the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is a legally binding universal international instrument to deal with corruption. The international ramifications of the evils of corruption cannot be denied. It is this global dimension of the problem that brings all of us again and again to deliberate various aspects, in international co-operation. Such conferences, strongly undermine the realization amongst us that we all need to collaborate and co-operate more effectively with the common objective of weeding out the evil called corruption in various fields.
The Minister said that we have recognized that Public Procurement is a fertile area for corruption to breed. Measures aimed at bringing total transparency in the procurement process, and ensuring promotion of integrity of individuals, are two big areas, which will go a long way to address the preventive angle in public procurement.
Shri Naraynasamy said that there are two important areas, namely, involved of Private Sector and role of citizens in combating and strengthening the framework of corruption. UNCAC envisages measures for enhancing transparency, and promoting contribution by the public to the decision making process, ensuring effective transparency, involvement and creating awareness. It also requires State Parties, to provide for measures to ensure transparency, accountability and ethics in corporate governance.
The Minister added that combating corruption is a continuous process. A multi dimensional approach is required to tackle the menace of corruption and India is fully committed towards its policy of ‘zero tolerance to corruption’.
Shri Richard A. Boucher, Dy. Secretary General, OECD in his remarks said that India plays an important role in this effort, as one of Asia’s and the world’s largest economies, with impressive growth and yet many challenges. The movement against corruption indeed sweeping the world to expose and punish corruption offers hope. We’re here to identify what we can do to satisfy the demands of our citizens for fairness, efficiency and equality in government and business. With determination we can change the culture of tolerance, he said. No more should anyone ask for a bribe, nor should anyone have to pay. He said that at the OECD, we are bringing together the whole tool kit of steps governments and business can deploy. We call this initiative cleangovbiz, and it is based on existing tools, tools to improve government systems and corporate practices, the open up transparency, and held implement the UN Convention against Corruption and the OECD Anti-bribery convention.
Mr. Boucher said that by simplifying regulations, governments can eliminate the unnecessary steps, forms and procedures that become the excuse for bribes. Good corporate practices can ensure that there are no givers of bribes as well as no takers, and reduce the corporate exposure that comes from sloppy or bad practices, he added. He further said that the OECD works with India on inclusive growth. Fighting corruption is a key aspect for all of us, and a constant struggle for all of us.
Shri Xiaoyu Zhao, Vice President, ADB, in his remarks said that corruption remains a major global challenge. Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index an annual survey, revealed in 2010 that corruption remains a serious problem in nearly three quarters of the 178 countries it reviewed. Unfortunately, many members of the ADB/OECD initiative ranked poorly on the index, with many suffering from high levels of corruption.
There are several serious challenges to achieving this collective aspiration but one overarching challenge that is relevant to us here today is improving governance and fighting corruption, he said. He emphasized that Asian countries must transform their institutions with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and enforceability. In this context, this conference’s focus on strengthening diverse institutional framework to combat corruption is very relevant and timely.
Mr. Zhao said that ADB was the first multilateral development bank to adopt a Governance Policy in 1995, the three years later it approved a comprehensive Anticorruption Policy. Strategy 2020 ADB’s long-term strategic framework, reframes good governance – transparent, accountable and participator – as a driver of change in the Asia and Pacific region. Our anti-corruption efforts are a crucial part of our broader governance agenda, which seeks to improve the quality of the public sector.
Shri Zhao said that ADB has supported several approaches to counter corruption risks inherent to public procurement, as well as bolstering country systems. It has strengthened the capacity of central procurement oversight authorities, promoted e-procurement, and engaged civil society and private companies in emboldening transparency and integrity in procurement.
Secretary, DOPT, Smt. Alka Sirohi in her welcome address said that there has been a clamour for better governance all over the world, and increasing introspection of institutions by people. This initiative, she said, can go a long way in addressing people’s aspirations in combating corruption. Providing India an opportunity to host this conference is recognition of India as a worthy torch bearer for fight against corruption. Shri S.K. Sarkar, additional Secretary, DoPT, delivered the vote of thanks.
Experts from 28 member countries and economies of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption initiative and delegates/ eminent personalities including CVC, CIC from India are attendind the Conference. It also has experts from all the relevant disciplines – representing international organizations, leading enterprises and businesses associations, civil society, and multilateral and donor organizations.
This Conference will provide a forum on establishing and implementing in Asia-Pacific some of the main features of an effective multidisciplinary anti-corruption framework: 1) international cooperation in multijurisdictional corruption investigations; 2) measures to prevent and detect corruption in public procurement; 3) corporate compliance, internal controls and ethics measures to fight corruption; and 4) strong citizen contributions to these frameworks. Additional smaller breakout sessions will delve further into more specialized areas of interest, such as effective international information-sharing in investigations; public procurement in high risk sectors; features of an effective corporate compliance programme; and strengthening citizens’ participation to increase integrity and transparency in government.
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