20 April 2018 - Further steps were taken towards fast-tracking the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Southeast Africa. A UNODC Conference, funded by the United Kingdom and hosted by Eastern African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA), held under the banner "Follow up to the workshop on Fast-tracking the Implementation of UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC): Implementation of recommendations", brought together some 35 governmental representatives and civil society organizations (CSOs) specialising on public procurement and whistle-blower protection.
In his opening remarks, Ms. Munira Ali, Secretary General of EAACA highlighted, "Combining procurement and whistleblower protection under EAACA's leadership, will be a powerful tool in the region's armory against corruption".
With the inclusive environment of governments, judiciary and civil society, the conference presented an opportunity to fill the latent gaps in knowledge between different sectors and actors on the two thematic areas and explore how regional measures could strengthen UNCAC implementation in each of the countries. For example, there was one session entitled External reporting and the role of civil society in receiving and handling whistleblower reports and/or providing advice where Transparency International Rwanda, Tanzania Anti-Corruption Movement (TACOM) and Transparency International Burundi presented how they were working on the whistleblower protection.
Follow-up action for public procurement will involve participants presenting the idea of a Regional Public Procurement Anti-Corruption Forum (RPPAF) - tasked with the goal of advancing common cross regional anti-corruption and procurement strategies - back to their home nations for consideration. It is envisaged six months on the first regional joint training conference will be convened of the RPPAF to solidify the regional forum. As for whistleblower protection, follow-up will take place at different levels (regional and national), with a focus on continued exchange and peer-to-peer learning between the countries in the region.
The Arusha conference represents the next stage in the United Kingdom's support to UNODC in fast-tracking the UNCAC through the UK Prosperity Fund.
Public Procurement |
Whistleblower Protection |
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