Press Release
September 22, 2010

GLOBAL ANTI-CORRUPTION NETWORK SET TO MEET IN MANILA

The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) will be holding a two-day regional meeting from 30 September - 1 October 2010 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

This regional meeting of the South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) will uphold the same goals of GOPAC in the regional setting. This non-profit organization was established by the only Asian representative to GOPAC and the founding President of SEAPAC, Senator Edgardo J. Angara.

Angara said that the fight against corruption is, "a continuous struggle and is not limited by borders or cultures. Each nation that will be represented here will help to formulate an international cooperative strategy to aid us in this fight."

"The SEAPAC meeting will show the world that the Philippines stands with its neighbors in a commitment to combat corruption and the promotion of good governance," added Angara.

The three day meet is highlighted by the meeting of the GOPAC Task Force on the UN Convention Against Corruption (GTF-UNCAC). The aim is to develop a tool-kit for parliamentarians that can aid them in the prevention of corruption through policy and legislation and which can be used as a generic framework for parliamentarians in any country in support of the UN's anti-corruption drives.

The parliamentarians from are also targeting the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in all of the members' respective countries. The UNCAC, ratified by the Philippines in 2006, is the first international legally binding anti-corruption tool which obliges countries to implement changes in laws and institutions.

The speakers at the UNCAC and Anti-corruption forum are Niall Johnston of the World Bank, Renaud Meyer of the UNDP, and Dr. Jesus Estanislao of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

There are 36 expected delegates from 13 participating countries for the event from Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Mali, Kenya, Timor Leste, Cambodia, and Bangladesh and the Philippines.

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