The Government of Papua New Guinea recognized globally for involving civil society organizations in anti-corruption efforts

In June 2024, an official delegation from Papua New Guinea travelled to Vienna, Austria and Vilnius, Lithuania to update the international community on Papua New Guinea’s progress in combating corruption.

June 28, 2024

The Papua New Guinean Delegation members attending the 15th UNCAC Implementation Review Group Session in Vienna, Austria.

UNDP Papua New Guinea

With the support of the European Union-funded ‘Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea (PNG Anti-Corruption Project)’, which is jointly implemented by UNDP and UNODC, the delegation first travelled to the United Nations in Vienna between 10-14 June 2024. The delegation attended meetings of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation Review Group and Working Group on Asset Recovery to contribute to efforts to enhance international cooperation against corruption. The delegation then continued its mission to Vilnius, where they attended the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference 2024 from 18 to 21 June 2024.

“Addressing corruption and building a system of integrity are strategic priorities of the Government of Papua New Guinea and we are demonstrating our commitment to these ends through resource mobilization and fostering strategic partnerships around the globe. For example, last year Papua New Guinea established a fully functioning Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) with preventative, investigative, and prosecution powers. We are also actively creating entry points for civil society organizations, the private sector and our youth to contribute to joint efforts against corruption,” said Dr. Eric Kwa, Secretary from the Department of Justice and Attorney General and the Head of the Delegation in his address to the Implementation Review Group in Vienna.

Secretary Kwa also expressed his gratitude to the European Union, UNDP, UNODC, and other development partners for their continued technical support to the government and non-state actors in enhancing integrity and transparency in the public sector.

UNDP Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Mrs. Francine Pickup (fourth from the left), met with the delegation in Vilnius.

UNDP Papua New Guinea

During the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, UNDP facilitated various bilateral meetings for the members of the Papua New Guinean delegation. The delegation briefed the UNDP Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Mrs. Francine Pickup, on the effective partnership that UNDP and the PNG Government have built through the EU-funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project.

The delegation also met with the Chairman of Transparency International, Mr. Francois Valerian, and the Managing Director of the UNCAC Coalition, Mr. Mathias Hunter. Both Mr. Valerian and Mr. Hunter praised the PNG Government for including civil society representatives in their official anti-corruption delegations. The involvement of civil society organizations in anti-corruption efforts is globally recognized as a best practice for eradicating corruption.

During the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, the delegation met with the Chair of Transparency International, Mr. Francois Valerian (fourth from the left).

UNDP Papua New Guinea

The delegation also held bilateral meetings with the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau of Poland, the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania, the Hungarian Integrity Authority, Eurojust, the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia.

The other members of the delegation headed by Dr. Eric Kwa included the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Justice and Attorney General, Mrs. Josephine Pitmur; Mrs. Roselyn Melua and Mr. Jeffrey Murley from the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council; the Commissioner of PNG ICAC, Mr. Andrew Forbes; the Deputy Commissioners of PNG ICAC, Mr. Graham Gill and Mr. Dan Baulch; and Chairman of Transparency International PNG, Mr. Peter Aitsi. Mr. Aitsi will report to local civil society groups on the achievements of the mission upon his return to Papua New Guinea.

The delegation was supported jointly by UNDP and UNODC through the PNG Anti-Corruption Project, funded by the European Union.