TONGA ATTENDS ITS FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE STATE PARTIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION, ATLANTA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 11 – 15 DECEMBER 2023

11 December 2023

“The time is always right to do what is right” Martin Luther King Jr.

On 11 – 15^th December 2023, a Tonga delegation led by the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, attended the 10^th Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption which also marked the 20^th Anniversary of the Convention. The Conference of the States Parties (COSP) is the main policymaking body established under Article 63 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The COSP focuses on supporting States parties and signatories in their implementation of the Convention and gives policy guidance to UNODC to develop and implement anti-corruption activities.

The attendance of Tonga’s delegation marked its first ever participation in a COSP since becoming the 187^th member to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in February 2020. The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister delivered a statement at the plenary emphasizing that one of the Kingdom’s national outcomes as reflected in its Tonga Strategic Development Framework II is “responsive and good governance”. He highlighted ongoing efforts to combat corruption through its existing laws, the progress of its first cycle under the implementation review mechanism of the convention, and the move towards the appointment of the Kingdom’s first ever Anti-Corruption Commissioner.

The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing collaboration with UNODC towards the strengthening of existing integrity agencies in Tonga, and the initiation of a local chapter of GOPAC, through the establishment of a Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption in Tonga’s Legislative Assembly tasked, to employ domestic measures to assist in the implementation of the UNCAC.

The Hon. DPM referred to the Teieniwa Vision which sets forth the Pacific region’s commitments to combat corruption in the region and the importance of collaboration amongst Pacific Island countries given the unique cultural contexts and similar vulnerabilities shared as small island developing states. He emphasized the importance of financial assistance in the Kingdom’s ongoing work against corruption and thanked all development partners for the ongoing assistance.

Tonga’s delegation was led by the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and comprised of Hon. Dr. ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, Chief Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Ms. Gloria Pole’o, Ombudsman Mrs. ‘Alisi Taumoepeau, Attorney General’s Office and UNCAC Focal Point Ms. Rose Lesley Kautoke, and Legal Officer of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taufu‘i Naufahu.

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