Corruption a concern, UN says

Corruption remains a significant obstacle to development in several Asia-Pacific countries including Papua New Guinea, according to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Deputy secretary, Department of Justice and Attorney General Josephine Pitmur said despite this report, PNG was benchmarking its anti-corruption initiatives with international colleagues at the United Nations in Vienna (Austria).
Pitmur was part of the PNG delegation attending the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) implementation review group and open-ended intergovernmental working group on the prevention of corruption (WGP) this week.
“Following the recent country visit for the PNG second cycle review of chapter II (preventative measures) and chapter V (asset recovery) in Port Moresby, PNG is finalising the executive summary of its review and will commit to implement its recommendations.
“By sharing its challenges and successes across a broad range of UNCAC obligations, Papua New Guinea is benchmarking its own progress against the shared experience of other countries in-person during the IRG and WGP sessions,” Pitmur said.
Pitmur, who was also the PNG focal point for the UNCAC, highlighted the enactment of an Organic Law to establish the PNG Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac), one of the key commitments from the nation’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2010-2030).
“The actual implementation of the Icac has commenced with an interim office and we are finalising the recruitment of the three leaders of the Icac.
“We hope to complete this process and make the announcements by the end of this month,” Pitmur told delegates.
“The appointment of the Icac leadership will enable the Icac to fast-track its implementation goals and bring benefits to people and the economy, particularly through whole-of-society.”