Suva, Fiji – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and the Public Service Fale (a Pacific public service centre of excellence, housed at the New Zealand Public Service Commission) have jointly launched a new framework to assist public service agencies to build organizational integrity and ethics. The ‘Integrity and Ethics Agency Improvement Framework’ was developed by UNDP in consultation with the Public Service Fale under the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project (UN-PRAC), funded by the Government of New Zealand.

The Framework supports agencies to:
• build baseline data about the state of integrity and ethics via surveys; 
• analyse survey results to identify strengths and gaps; 
• plan and prioritise integrity and ethics initiatives to support improved outcomes; and 
• measure progress towards achieving desired outcomes.

The Framework was reviewed by public service agencies, including the Ministry of Public Service of Solomon Islands, and was validated by UNDP in cooperation with Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Ms Tania Ott, Deputy Commissioner for the Public Service Fale said that the publication supported the practical application of the Pacific-Wide Code of Ethics for Public Servants. The Code of Ethics was the result of efforts by Pacific Public Service Commissioners to identify shared public service values and behaviors to guide public servants and strengthen integrity and ethics in public services.

“While the Framework is based on the Fale led Pacific-Wide Code of Ethics for Public Servants, it can be adapted to values, codes of ethics, or codes of conduct set by individual agencies. The Framework can support policy, regulatory, and other initiatives aimed at promoting integrity and ethics domestically or regionally. The Framework will be available on the Fale’s learning management system, FaleOnline, and will be accessible by public servants across the Pacific," said Ms Ott.

Ms Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji said, “The Framework represents a practical tool to support public service agencies, departments, units or other public entities to diagnose, plan, manage, and measure their integrity and ethics initiatives. It aims to build an organizational or system-wide culture of integrity and ethics, to enhance public trust and confidence in the integrity of public services. While the Framework has universal value and application, it is specifically aimed to assist Pacific Islands Countries to systematically work toward integrity and ethics improvements. We are very thankful for this partnership between UNDP Pacific Office and the Fale anchored on advancing public service integrity and ethics across the Pacific.”  

This work supports countries with their commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions among others. For the Pacific region, the Framework is also aligned with the aspirations under the Teieniwa Vision – Pacific Unity against Corruption, Biketawa and Boe Declarations, the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy and other commitments to advancement of good governance.

For more information, or media interviews, please contact:

Dominic Godfrey, Senior Advisor Communications – Public Service Fale
E: dominic.godfrey@publicservice.govt.nz | M: +64 21 1994 689

Tomoko Kashiwazaki, Communications and Advocacy – UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | E: tomoko.kashiwazaki@undp.org | Phone: +679 331 2500