Eight Caribbean countries launch the 8th Regional Platform to Fast-Track the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption
“It is a human right of all citizens to live in a society free of corruption,” proclaimed Mr. Reginald T.A. Armour SC, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, during the opening ceremony of the conference that launched the Regional Platform to Fast-Track the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in the Caribbean. The event, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), took place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 9 to 11 October 2023, and brought together representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana (as observer), Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Embracing the collaborative spirit of the Regional Platform, representatives of civil society, the private sector and regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), actively contributed to the discussions.
Adopting a regional approach to accelerate the implementation of the UNCAC, of which UNODC is the guardian, is endorsed by Resolution 9/4 of the ninth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UNCAC. This approach emphasizes the importance of tailoring measures to resonate with local contexts. It also allows countries from the Caribbean to take advantage of regional expertise and successful practices in countering corruption, helping to increase the effectiveness of their efforts to prevent, detect and sanction corrupt acts. Echoing the benefits of addressing corruption through a regional approach, Ms. Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, reaffirmed that “this platform is going to help create valuable and real peer exchange of experiences in combatting corruption and promoting transparency.”
During the three days of the conference, participants shared good practices and evaluated ways to collectively address challenges specific to the region in advancing the
implementation of the UNCAC and the Inter-American Convention against Corruption. As a result, a roadmap was developed and adopted to guide their work over the next three years. It includes objectives and activities around four thematic areas: 1) stronger anti-corruption legal and institutional frameworks; 2) transparency and accountability in public procurement and probity in business; 3) reporting channels and whistle-blower protection; and 4) investigation and prosecution of corruption and money-laundering.
The newly established Caribbean Regional Platform, implemented with the support of the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance Division (INL), is the eighth of its kind globally, following the Platform for Central America, launched in April this year. The UNODC Anti-Corruption Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Mexico City, will foster coordination and synergies for the implementation of the adopted roadmap.
The launch of the Regional Platform and the adoption of the roadmap are just the beginning of an arduous yet rewarding journey, a significant step towards ultimately benefitting the citizens of the Caribbean region. Visit the Platform's website for more details. Let's unite against corruption, recognizing the crucial role of regional joint efforts in this endeavour.
