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Main Report: 7th Forum of Parliamentarians at CoSP UNCAC (Vienna, November 9, 2017)
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The Forum of Parliamentarians has been a key component of engaging parliamentarians in UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). This year, the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC), along with GOPAC Oceania, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC), and UN Development Programme (UNDP) successfully held the 7th Forum of Parliamentarians during the 7th Conference of State Parties to the UNCAC in Vienna, on November 9, 2017. The forum focused on oversight matters and ways for Members of Parliament to improve development effectiveness.
The event noted the parliamentary oversight as a key component of good practice in the implementation of UNCAC. It discussed ways for parliamentarians to contribute towards localization of UNCAC by adapting international standards to national needs and playing an important oversight role in the monitoring and review of the national efforts to implement the UNCAC. The Forum also encouraged parliamentarians and State Parties to the UNCAC to incorporate similar good practices to SDG Goal 16 localization, measurement, and monitoring to bolster accountability and transparency.
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The keynote speaker was GOPAC Chair H.E. Dr. Fadli Zon, who elaborated on GOPAC’s role in parliamentarian support, highlighted the elements of effective oversight, and introduced the recently launched GOPAC-UNDP SDGs Handbook for parliamentarians, entitled “Parliament's Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.” You may access the presentation here.
Other panelists included Hon. Shakeel Shabbir, MP and GOPAC Kenya Chair, whose presentation focused on the role of parliamentary committees in anti-corruption (access the presentation here); Hon. Milorad Mijatovic, GOPAC Serbia, who spoke about importance to motivate parliamentarians to act; Hon. Prof. Jacqueline Adhiambo Oduol, MP and member of GOPAC Kenya, who provided insights to gender focus in anti-corruption oversight (access the presentation here); Maria Adomeit from the UN-PRAC project who talked about UN-PRAC’s support in the Pacific, in particular towards parliamentary oversight; Patrick Keuleers, UNDP Director of Governance and Peacebuilding, who elaborated on parliamentary partnerships to boost oversight and measuring SDG indicators and effectiveness (access the presentation here); and Sen. Dr. Isaac Mwaura, Kenya Senate, who stressed the need to ensure that the SDG slogan “Leaving No-one Behind” was implemented throughout, and emphasized the importance of ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are inclusive, including the involvement of marginalized groups and people with disabilities. We invite everyone to review the photos of this 7th Forum on our Flickr page.
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GOPAC Statement at CoSP 7 UNCAC
The 7th Parliamentary Forum also adopted the GOPAC Statement on Parliament Engagement on Corruption prevention and Asset Recovery. The statement was delivered by GOPAC Chair H.E. Dr. Fadli Zon at the Plenary Session of CoSP7 UNCAC, November 7, 2017. Kindly access the full GOPAC Statement here.
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GOPAC Chair delivered GOPAC Statement at the Plenary Session of CoSP 7 UNCAC
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Opening of the 7th Session of the CoSP UNCAC
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GOPAC Indonesia Addressed UNCAC Implementation at National Conference on Corruption Eradication (Jakarta, December 12, 2017)
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On December 12, 2017, GOPAC Indonesia member and Member of Indonesian House of Representatives Hon. Rahayu S. Djojohadikusumo delivered her speech at the National Conference on Corruption Eradication in Jakarta, Indonesia. The conference was a part of International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration, which was organized by the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission. Hon. Rahayu presented GOPAC’s view on the role of parliamentarians in supporting the implementation of UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in this major event.
As the only global network of parliamentarians focused solely on combating corruption, GOPAC acknowledges the importance of UNCAC through its commitment in establishing the GOPAC UNCAC Global Task Force (GTF). Further on her speech, Hon. Rahayu explained that GOPAC declared its support for the UNCAC and noted that strong parliamentary oversight would be essential to its effective implementation. Through the GTF, GOPAC also promotes the effective implementation of the UNCAC and identifies complementary improvements in the governance roles of parliamentarians.
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During the press conference which was held afterwards, Hon. Rahayu stated the importance of strategic collaboration among national stakeholders in combating corruption. “GOPAC is very open to collaborate strategically in maximizing institutional capacity, and ensuring the achievement of legislative reform as one of key elements in UNCAC,” she added.
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Niue Became the Latest Nation to Ratify the UNCAC
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Following on from a successful workshop with Parliamentarians and GOPAC members in the Pacific Island State of Niue in August, Niue became the latest nation to accede to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in November 2017. Niue GOPAC member and Minister Hon. Dalton Tagelagi joined GOPAC Oceania Chair John Hyde in Vienna for the 7th Conference of State Parties. Ministers from Nauru and the President of Kiribati also attended the event. Half of Niue’s parliamentarians have joined GOPAC and the Speaker has agreed to progress a motion in the Legislative Assembly to officially establish the GOPAC Niue chapter.
(On the picture: Niue GOPAC member Hon. Dalton Tagelagi and GOPAC Oceania Chair John Hyde)
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GOPAC Australia Held Biannual General Meeting, Hon. Margaret Quirk Was Elected as the Chair
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GOPAC Australia held its Biannual General Meeting during the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC) in Sydney, Australia, on November 16, 2017. Office-bearers elected for the next two years are: Hon. Margaret Quirk MLA as the Chair, Hon. Nick Goiran as the Vice-Chair, John Hyde as Secretary, Hon. Liz Behjat as Treasurer, and Executive members are Melissa Parke, Hon. Matt Benson-Lidholm, and Peter Loney.
Furthermore, several GOPAC Australia members were also part of the Victoria Parliament’s anti-corruption committee report which investigated establishing key performance indicators to help parliamentary oversight committees and the community measure the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies. The report is available here. GOPAC Oceania also made a major submission to the Australia Northern Territory Parliament inquiry into establishing an anti-corruption commission, the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bill 2017, with several of GOPAC recommendations being supported in the Parliament’s final report. A submission was also made to the amendment bill for the Cook Islands Crimes Act 2017, relating to anti-corruption.
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GOPAC Oceania Presented Works at the APSAC Conference
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GOPAC Oceania participated in the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commissions Conference (APSACC) on November 14-16, 2017 in Sydney. The Chair, John Hyde, presented GOPAC Oceania’s work in Vanuatu with the Vanuatu Correction Services Department to produce training and a workbook on the rehabilitation of parliamentarians who have been convicted of corruption. In August 2017, John Hyde and GOPAC Australia Chair Margaret Quirk MLA, delivered the training in Vanuatu. (Fourteen Vanuatu MPs were jailed in 2015 for corruption and their parole periods began this year).
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GOPAC Australia Chair Margaret Quirk MLA and GOPAC Oceania Chair John Hyde delivered a workshop with the Vanuatu Correction Services Department, addressing probation officer challenges in rehabilitation of corruption offenders.
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ARPAC Chair Gave a Lecture on the Fight against Political Corruption (Kuwait, October 24, 2017)
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The Chair of ARPAC, who is also the Executive Committee of GOPAC Board of Directors, Dr. Naser Al-Sane, delivered a lecture for the Gulf University of Science and Technology's MBA Program Seminar on October 24, 2017. Dr. Al-Sane addressed the theme of GOPAC and the fights against political corruption. He discussed about GOPAC's works in general, international prosecution for grand corruption, as well as GOPAC Global Task Forces and on-going project on Parliamentary SDGs Handbook. Dr. Naser emphasized GOPAC's approach in response to the political corruption, said "We works to strengthen parliamentary oversight of government, and promote the prosecution of the world’s corruption offenders."
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Niue Parliamentarians Boosted Legislative Role through an Induction Workshop
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Niue’s Parliamentarians are working to boost their legislative skills and gain a deeper understanding of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and Climate Change oversight at a three-day parliamentary induction workshop in the Pacific island nation on August 22-24, 2017.
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Legislative Assembly members, parliamentary staff and other stakeholders are attending the three-day workshop facilitated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) project in partnership with the Legislative Assembly of Niue. The Chair of GOPAC Samoa who is also the Samoan Parliamentarian and Associate Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Lemi Taefu, assisted the workshop with UN-PRAC and GOPAC Oceania Chair John Hyde.
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GOPAC Chair Adressed Strategies in Combating Corruption at the World Justice Forum V (The Hague, July 10-13, 2017)
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On July 10-13, 2017, GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon represented GOPAC as a Panelist at World Justice Forum V held by World Justice Project® (WJP) in The Hague, Netherland. On this forum, GOPAC Chair emphasized his remarks by highlighting the essential roles of parliamentarians in combating corruption. He further explained about GOPAC’s approach in anti corruption strategies which are improving capacity building of parliamentarians and making global coalition.
According to Dr. Zon, GOPAC is especially unique in that it is the only international network of Parliamentarians focused purely on combating corruption. "While other organizations might focus combating corruption through the executive and the judiciary, GOPAC’s approach instead tries to maximize the anti-corruption power of parliaments, which in turn will make Parliamentarians the primary actor in the anti-corruption efforts,” Dr. Zon stated. Therefore, GOPAC plays an important role especially as a platform to promote mutual commitment and cooperation among parliamentarians in combating corruption.
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GOPAC Receives Official UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status
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The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its coordination and management meeting of July 2017 adopted the recommendation of the Committee on NGOs to grant Special Consultative Status to GOPAC. “This consultative status will enable GOPAC and its parliamentary members to participate more fully in UN meetings and its processes,” said GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon after receiving the official decision from UN ECOSOC, represented by Marc-André Dorel, Acting Chief of NGO Branch Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
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GOPAC Participated in the Global Legislative Openness Conference 2017 (Kiev, May 19-20, 2017)
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Leading legislators, government officials, and civil society representatives participated to discuss how openness can strengthen public trust in representative institutions and build a responsive 21st century legislature. Dr. Zon delivered speech on a panel on "Parliaments, Citizen Trusts, and Openness," stated that parliamentary openness agenda could help build citizen trust in parliaments generally.
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Dr. Zon also gave some examples from the Indonesian House of Representatives which has made a strategic plan in legislative openness through the principles of transparency, utilization of information technology, and representativeness. Some of the efforts that have been undertaken are expanding communication channels through social media, websites, and Parliament TV, developing the legislation information system (LIS), as well as encouraging the establishment of aspirational house in each electoral district. "Through those efforts, the House seeks to open up a wider public engagement space in parliamentary activities," he added.
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GOPAC Chair Addressed Corruption and Inequality at the 136th IPU Assembly (Dhaka, April 2, 2017)
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On April 2, 2017, GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon addressed the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and Related Meetings in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He spoke on the main theme of the assembly, “Redressing Inequalities: Delivering on Dignity and Well-Being for All.” GOPAC members from several countries were also among the attendees.
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In the assembly, Dr. Zon called global parliamentarians to eliminate inequalities by combating corruption. He said that in its Jogjakarta Declaration, GOPAC had reaffirmed its vision of an equitable world where all citizens could live in equality of opportunity and prosperity. Corruption, unequal distribution of power and unequal distribution of wealth together formed a vicious circle.
“Nearly US$ 1 trillion had been amassed through corruption, mostly by persons in positions of high authority, money that could be used to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Dr. Zon stated. He further emphasized that Parliaments must use their authority to harness resources to create prosperity and welfare for all, and introduced the SDGs Handbook as one of the major tool of GOPAC in strengthening Parliaments’ role in overseeing development programs. “GOPAC’s SDGs Handbook addresses the issue of corruption in SDGs and development programs, presents examples of experience and best practices from parliaments around the world,” he added.
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The Launch of GOPAC SDGs Handbook at Global Parliamentary Network Conference (Washington D.C., April 18, 2017)
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On April 17-18, 2017, over 160 parliamentarians from 66 countries gathered in Washington D.C. for 2017 Global Parliamentary Conference, co-organized by the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF. During this conference, GOPAC launched a major legislative toolkit, “Parliament’s Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals: A Parliamentary Handbook,” to begin a global effort to implement the UN SDGs in the parliaments of the world.
GOPAC created the handbook in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The launch was part of the official agenda of the Global Parliamentary Conference, on the panel discussion of Parliamentarians’ Role in Tackling the SDGs. Among the speakers are Akaash Maharaj (GOPAC CEO), Abdihamid Mao (IsDB), and Magdi Amin (World Bank Group); moderated by Charles Chauvel (UNDP). GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon also sent his message for the occasion you may access it here.
“Realizing the SDGs targets will require monumental political will and effort by national legislatures and national governments,” said GOPAC CEO Akaash Maharaj. “Our new handbook will give legislators the tools, guidance, and experience of their peers, to help them turn international ambitions into national achievements,” he added.
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Panelists (left-to-right): Akaash Maharaj, Magdi Amin, Charles Chauvel, Abdihamid Mao
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“Achieving the SDGs will require a monumental act of legislative will,” said GOPAC CEO Akaash Maharaj
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GOPAC Mexico's Anti-Corruption Activities
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The Chair of GOPAC Mexico, Dr. Carlos Alberto Pérez Cuevas, and GOPAC Mexico members have been participated actively in several anti-corruption activities and programs. In June, Dr. Cuevas represented GOPAC during the press conference alongside GOPAC member Sen. Dr. Fernando Enrique Mayans Canabal in the launch of "Tribunal de la Patria," an intiative to combat corruption and impunity. Dr. Cuevas supported this powerful initiative, which will hold public officials accountable.
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Dr. Carlos Alberto Pérez Cuevas and Sen. Dr. Fernando E. M. Canabal, supporting the "Tribunal de la Patria"
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GOPAC Mexico working meeting and induction of new Parliamentarian members
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GOPAC Mexico joint meeting with Mexican Parliament's Anti-Corruption Caucus
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Discussion forum on the Mexican National Anti-Corruption System (SNA)
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In addition, Dr. Cuevas also participated in the discussion forum of constitutionalist experts on Mexico’s National Anti-Corruption System (SNA). Further on the works within parliament, GOPAC Mexico held a working meeting with Mexican legislators to present GOPAC and invite more members to join the global network. They also built a joint agreement between GOPAC and Anti-Corruption Caucus of Mexican Parliament.
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Mongolian Parliamentarians Relaunched the MONPAC National Chapter
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The Mongolian Parliament officially re-established the GOPAC National Chapter in Mongolia, facilitated by the Asia Foundation. The chapter which named as MONPAC (Mongolian Parliamentarians Against Corruption), is now being chaired by Hon. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai.
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The newly-elected MONPAC Chair, Hon. Oyun-Erdene stated, "The essence of an effective democracy and the balance of power between the three branches of the government has become blurry due to the current state of corruption in Mongolia. By forming the MONPAC as a national chapter of GOPAC, we will be able to learn from international best practices to better address the problem areas and develop an anti-corruption agenda tailored to our needs."
MONPAC main priority areas include raising public awareness, improve citizen participation, provide legal and political assistance, as well as support for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Program of Mongolia that was passed by the Parliament earlier this year. They have already initiated a number of discussions with key Members of Parliament, to share information and ensure cooperation with civil society organizations.
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GOPAC CEO Assisted Fijian Parliament in Advancing the National Code of Conduct
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GOPAC CEO, Mr. Akaash Maharaj, helped the Fijian Parliament to develop legislation for a new national Code of Conduct on ethics and standards in public life. It will apply to the country’s President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, judges, and senior civil servants. The Code will create a statutory requirement for office holders to file public disclosures of their income and assets, it will bind them to new rules against illicit activities and against conflicts of interest, and it will subject them to investigation by a new Anti-Corruption Commission for any transgressions.
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Left-to-right: Sela Vuinakasa Nanovo MP; Maria Adomeit (UNODC); Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka MP; Mihaela Stojkoska (UNDP); Biman Prasad MP; Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa MP; Alex O'Connor MP; Akaash Maharaj; Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka MP; Prem Singh MP
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Mr. Maharaj’s work flowed out of an earlier Code of Conduct workshop in Fiji, led by John Hyde, GOPAC Global Secretary and Chair of GOPAC Oceania. The project was generously funded by the UNDP Pacific Office.
He further praised the efforts of the MPs of Fiji's Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee. “We came to a cross-party consensus on almost all the elements for the new Code,” he said. "This no small feat in a country still coming to terms with a history of multiple armed coups over the past thirty years. I commend my colleagues for summoning the courage to rise above partisanship to advance the national good.”
The UNDP subsequently hosted a luncheon for Mr. Maharaj to address GOPAC’s Fijian members, which was overseen by Prof. Biman Prasad MP, Chair of GOPAC Fiji. He reported that the assembled legislators discussed shared plans to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Fiji, to build legislative capacity across the South Pacific islands, and to strengthen democratic oversight of international peacekeeping.
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GOPAC Chair Delivered Keynote Speech on KASYP Caucus Meeting 2017 (Siem Reap, February 2, 2017)
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During the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Young Political Leaders Caucus Meeting 2017 which was held on 2–4 February 2017 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon stated that the Parliament has an important role in ensuring the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On his keynote speech, Dr. Zon said that as a part of global stakeholders, GOPAC is committed to ensure that the SDGs agenda is not only strong at the global level, but also at the local level.
Dr. Zon further said, “Parliamentarians around the world should support localizing and monitoring the SDGs at the sub-national level. They are very close to their constituents, so they could engage from the early stages of the process in ensuring the context that is specific to the local area are reflected and properly represented.”
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Left-to-right: Ardnt Husar (UNDP), Dr Lai Choo Malone-Lee, Dr. Fadli Zon, Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy (KAS)
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Dr. Fadli Zon with all the Konrad-Adenauer's young political leader delegates
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He also stated that combating corruption is essential to ensure the effective achievement of SDGs. The only way to measure the real success of SDGs is for people around the world to feel that their lives have markedly improved. If they are faced with corruption in their daily lives, this will not happen. "Let us work to help break the culture of corruption and impunity, and help ensure that Parliament and other public institutions are accountable and trustworthy," he added, while promoting the major GOPAC’s tool, SDGs Handbook for Parliamentarians.
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ARPAC to Conduct a Project on Strengthening the Role of Arab Parliaments in Implementing UNCAC
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Complementing the project Strengthening Anti-Corruption Policies and Mechanisms in MENA region, the “Arab Region Parliamentarians Against Corruption” (ARPAC) is implementing the project Strengthening the role of Arab parliaments in the implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). It is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and aims at enhancing parliamentarians’ capacity to oversee and hold their governments into account for anti-corruption efforts and obligations.
ARPAC is in the process of contracting a UNCAC expert to develop a professional guide, and training of trainer’s manual for parliamentarians on mechanisms to follow-up on governments’ self-assessments and UNCAC review reports.
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Making Progress in the Fight against Corruption: The Case of Mexico
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Chair of GOPAC Mexico, Dr. Carlos Alberto Pérez Cuevas, wrote an article on the International Anti-Corruption Academy's Alumnus magazine. Elucidating the problem and outlining the ongoing fight against corruption in his country, Dr. Cuevas stated, "It affects public and private companies, governments, and civil, political, and sporting associations, both in highly developed countries and less developed ones. But there are signs of hope in the fight against corruption – including in my own country, Mexico." He mentioned the recent enactment of an unprecedented National Anti-Corruption System (NAS) in Mexico, which represents a historic step in the country’s fight against corruption.
Dr. Cuevas also participated as co-author of the book Auditing, Transparency and Accountability, as he wrote an essay on "The Challenge of Anticorruption Combat and the National Anticorruption System in Mexico." We invite you to read his contribution, and leave a comment on our Twitter or Facebook.
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Representative from Singapore Embassy Visited GOPAC Jakarta Office
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Ms. Chang Yuen Yi, Second Secretary (political affairs) of the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore to Indonesia, visited GOPAC Jakarta Office on December 21 to meet with Ms. Endah Retnoastuti, the Executive Director of GOPAC. The works of GOPAC and its overseas network, current issues on anti-corruption, as well as GOPAC’s project on parliamentary oversight of SDGs were discussed during the meeting. They also explored the possibility of further collaboration to work with the Parliament of Singapore, and reach the Member of Parliaments to join GOPAC. “We look forward to strengthening our network within Southeast Asian countries,” said Ms. Retnoastuti.
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