(Alofi, Niue) 9 November 2022 – Local women entrepreneurs are meeting in Niue today to share their experiences in strengthening internal business control mechanisms, ethics and compliance in women-owned and managed businesses.

This Women Entrepreneurs Anti-Corruption Workshop 2022 is part of a series of integrity-strengthening efforts led by the Niue Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Samoa Multi-Country Office (MCO), under the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project managed by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.

The workshop offers practical guidance on what constitutes corruption in Niue, what laws and institutions are used to prevent and fight corruption, and who entrepreneurs can ask for help, in line with international best practices found in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and Sustainable Development Goal 16.

“We are committed to Niue Ke Monuina – A Prosperous Niue,” said Catherine Papani, Chief Executive Officer, Niue Chamber of Commerce. “Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the Niue community and contribute positively to the national economy. NCC is delighted to be collaborating with UNDP to create awareness on early detection and prevention of corruption. We are also grateful to Chamber of Commerce women colleagues from Samoa and Palau lending their expertise to the Niuean entrepreneurs at this workshop.”

Young, female entrepreneur, Christyl Vilitama Smith, who runs a suite of businesses in Niue – Ikibee Services, Ikibeatz Entertainment and Niueanna Artistry – said the workshop has helped define the term ‘corruption’ for her. “This is important because I had a completely different idea of what corruption really is. I now have a better insight of what corruption is, and what I can do as a business owner to prevent it, and how to protect my business against corrupt practices.” 

Women's empowerment and gender equality, including efforts to prevent corruption and promote business integrity in the Pacific, are vital to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative in Niue is part of UNDP’s strong commitment to making gender equality a reality in the Pacific.

“This training offers advice on how to protect your business from corrupt practices that women entrepreneurs identified they were confronting. Corruption can have a devastating impact on local businesses, particularly as businesses emerge from the challenges of COVID-19,” said Christina Mualia Lima, Assistant Resident Representative – Governance, UNDP Samoa MCO.

UNDP Samoa MCO and the UNDP Pacific Office have also collaborated with the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry to produce a Samoan Women Entrepreneurs Toolkit. UNDP, through UN-PRAC, has undertaken integrity strengthening initiatives with women entrepreneurs in Fiji, Palau and Solomon Islands.

The UN-PRAC Project is a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the New Zealand Government.  The Samoa MCO works closely with the governments of Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau as well as Non-Government Organizations on development programmes in the areas of Democratic Governance, Sustainable Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Environment and Energy, and Gender Mainstreaming. 

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About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at www.ws.undp.org or www.pacific.undp.org 

For more information, or media interviews please contact: 

Laufaleaina Lesa, Communications Analyst, UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa |Tel. +685 23670| E: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org | www.ws.undp.org 

Emily Moli, Knowledge Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.   
E: emily.moli@undp.org M: (679) 722 5301.