Interim Chairman of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Mr. Thomas Eluh said if we are to make an impact in addressing corruption in Papua New Guinea, it must start now.

Mr Eluh was part of over 300 participants that participated in a two-day session, on October 31 and November 1, 2022, on anti-corruption legislation and coordination and the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action (2020-2025). The workshops were organized by UNDP under the Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project (PNG Anti-Corruption Project) funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Papua New Guinea and UNODC.

Representatives from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG), Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PMNEC) Governance branch and representatives of other anti-corruption-related departments, Civil Society Organizations, the private sector, and the media attended the sessions.

“We must take the lead. I’d like to see more commitment from everyone,” said Thomas Eluh, Chairman of the Interim Independent Commission Against Corruption.

UNDP Resident Representative to Papua New Guinea, Mr. Dirk Wagener said: “Even the strictest anti-corruption laws cannot be effective if they are not implemented properly. To effectively address corruption in every country, there must be strong coordination and cooperation across anti-corruption departments and agencies. It is crucial that foundations for this kind of collaboration are included in anti-corruption legislation and strategies.”

The 31 October session on anti-corruption legislation and cooperation discussed the current legislative anti-corruption framework as well as lay foundations for collaboration with important anti-corruption departments and agencies. The session on 1 November was to strengthen the coordination, implementation and oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action (NACPA). This session saw participants discussed its implementation, monitoring and awareness with key developers and implementers of the Papua New Guinea Anti-Corruption Strategy and related National Anti-Corruption Plan of Action.