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“Integrity Matters” at the 7th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
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Doha, Qatar – More than 200 delegates from 53 countries, including 14 Speakers and Vice-Speakers of Parliaments, and representatives from nine international organizations met in Doha, Qatar for the 7th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption held from 9 - 10 December 2019.
This meeting was hosted by the Shura Council of the State of Qatar, co-organized by the Global Organization Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).
The theme “Integrity Matters” reflected GOPAC’s objectives to fight corruption and improve good governance throughout the world by strengthening cooperation between parliamentarians, governments and civil society, in line with GOPAC’s commitment to promote its core values of integrity, accountability, collaboration, and diversity.
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The conference highlighted the impact of integrity on refining good governance, eradicating corruption, improving people’s prosperity and creating inclusive communities. Additionally, it emphasized the role of key policy makers in creating an enabling environment that harnesses anti-corruption movement.
The two-day event included an Annual General Meeting (AGM) which elected H.E. Ahmad Bin Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, the Speaker of the Shura Council of the State of Qatar, as the new Chair of GOPAC for the period of 2019-2021.
Under the leadership of H.E. Ahmad Bin Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, GOPAC will continue to initiate, innovate, and revolutionize global parliamentary efforts against corruption.
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“Our stand with the GOPAC comes in line with our convictions that parliaments, with their regulatory and legislative powers, can play a fundamental role in the fight against corruption, as institutions that make governments accountable to their people. Since parliamentarians represent the people, they are required to set an example in the performance of their duties, and should adhere to the moral values of their communities and should comply with the highest standards of integrity.”
H.E. Ahmad bin Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud
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GOPAC Welcomes the New Elected Chair during its Annual General Meeting 2019
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Doha, Qatar - During the 7th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, GOPAC held its 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM discussed GOPAC strategic direction, appointment of external auditor and preparation of financial statement, approval of operational plan and budget for the ensuing one-year period and to elect the Board and Chair biennially.
In the presence of GOPAC Board of Directors and members, the representatives of five GOPAC Regional chapters (APNAC, ARPAC, SEAPAC, Latin America, and Oceania) presented their report and plan of activities.
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APNAC reported that they have agreed to strengthen partnerships with CSOs and advocating to the Speakers of Parliaments to becoming Ambassadors of APNAC. ARPAC focused on organized workshops and seminar bout ethics and parliamentarians and SDGs6 as well as expanding their branches on new chapters in Qatar and Somalia. GOPAC Latin America has established relations with CSOs and universities in order to fight corruption by getting certifications, implementing programs such as in Argentina and Brazil, and media activities. GOPAC Oceania partnering with the UNDP in the United Nations Pacific Region Anti-Corruption project to take the forefront in organizing Oceania to be a stronger region in the fight against corruption. SEAPAC welcomes new members from Cambodia and Malaysia and planning to invite expanding its chapter to others South East Asian countries.
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The AGM unanimously agreed to elect H.E. Mr. Ahmad Bin Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, the Speaker of the Shura Council of the State of Qatar, as the new Chair of GOPAC for the period of 2019-2021. The chair will be supported by the GOPAC Board of Directors that composed of representation from GOPAC Regional Chapter.
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The AGM also adopted the Doha Declaration as the outcome document of the 7th Global Conference of Parliamentarians against Corruption. The Doha Declaration urges Parliaments to enact a clear set of rules on conflict of interests, financial transparency, code of ethics and conducts, and public participation in inclusive policy making. The outcome document mandates GOPAC, along with the existing and upcoming regional chapter and all of its members to develop synergy and strengthen partnerships with relevant organizations, including civil societies. More detailed of the declaration can be found below.
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We, members of parliament from 53 countries gathering on 9-10 December 2019, observing the 2019 International Anti-Corruption Day, in Doha, Qatar, for our 7th Global Conference of Parliamentarians against Corruption;
Recalling one of the purposes of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is to promote integrity, accountability, and proper management of public affairs and public property;
Also recalling the Yogyakarta Declaration adopted at the sixth Global Conference of Parliamentarians against Corruption held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in October 2015, which emphasized the principle of integrity in ensuring effective national resources and aid management to attain national development priorities;
Alarmed by the corruption and injustice driving public unrest and street protests across the world which may lead to a deeper political and economic crisis within a country;
Emphasizing trust as an essential element to strengthen the link between parliamentarians and their constituents and public institutions with their citizens;
Being aware of the fact that while there is a need to increase resources to fund the development agenda; corruption, tax evasion, money laundering and other illicit flows divert the current resources from key priorities of development: education, health, infrastructures;
Reaffirming the role of parliament as the pillar of democracy that should provide a check and balance to those who are in power, hold their executives to account and deliver budgets as aspired by their people;
Having affirmed that integrity matters for parliament and parliamentarians in the exercise of their duties and that it refers to the need to improve standards of integrity in both government and parliamentary institutions;
DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:
- Reaffirm that integrity matters, as a mean to rebuilding trust between public institutions and their citizens;
- Believe that to foster progress in rebuilding public trust and strengthen the integrity of members of parliament and parliament as public institution, we support new and innovative means and tools including active citizen engagement, digital outreach and open data;
- Urge Parliament to adopt measures and tools that are strongly relevant to the development of parliamentary integrity including:
- A clear set of rules on conflict of interests;
- Financial transparency including asset and economic and beneficial ownership declarations;
- Code of ethics and conducts;
- the establishment of rules or principles of inclusiveness through public participation in decision-making process.
- Determine to work towards the development of public transparency and accountability through the promotion of an open, reliable, participatory, innovative and accountable system and policies that guarantee the right of the people to freedom of access to information and to participate in the public affairs;
- Commend the initiative of H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in presenting the Annual Excellence Award to encourage and honor individuals and institutions that have demonstrated their strong commitments and endeavours in the fight against corruption;
- Recommend GOPAC, its Regional Chapters and all of its members to develop synergy, collaboration, partnership and networks with relevant organizations including civil society organizations and individual working in the promotion of integrity, openness, transparency and good governance to successfully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular SDG 16;
- Urge Parliaments and parliamentarians to step up its efforts in the engagement with UNCAC and the SDGs in particular SDG 16 through the national implementation of the tools and processes of GOPAC's Parliamentary Handbook: Parliament’s Role in Implementing the SDGs;
- Endorse that Parliaments and Parliamentarians must continue upholding the integrity values even in their oversight role on the Executive as an independent arm of governance;
- Request GOPAC to coordinate and collaborate among the membership to establish genuine data on the impact of parliamentary strengthening of good governance;
- Appreciate the GOPAC Chair Dr. Fadli Zon for his unwavering support in the fight against corruption and maintaining the works of the organization and welcoming the New Leadership of GOPAC.
- Thanking the generous and well-organized host of the State of Qatar and the Shur Council of Qatar lead by H.E. Mr. Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al mahmoud which is exceptional in the history of GOPAC.
Done in Doha, Qatar, 10 December 2019
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GOPAC Session at the 8th Conference of State Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption
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Abu Dhabi, UAE - GOPAC held a special session on "Parliament's Role in Enhancing Holistic Governance" during the 8th CoSP UNCAC 16-20 December 2019. The session discussed the engagement of parliamentarians and the role they can play to promote the implementation of the UNCAC and the innovative strategies needed to achieve national holistic integrity.
GOPAC, which officially declared its support for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at the signing ceremony in Merida, Mexico in 2003, reiterates the importance of political will and the key role of parliamentarians in promoting integrity and enacting and implementing strong anti-corruption regimes nationally.
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GOPAC Vice Chair and APNAC President, H.E. Justin Muturi and GOPAC Secretary, Mr. John Hyde as panelists on the 8th Forum of Parliamentarians.
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