Asia-Pacific Regional Centre

Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption in Asia and the Pacific

Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Governing Institutions

Accountable and effective management of scarce public financial resources constitutes one of the most fundamental responsibilities as well as challenges of governments. Yet corruption remains one of the main obstacles to delivering equitable development in the Asia-Pacific region, and hence, meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Progress has been made in Asia and the Pacific in fighting corruption and strengthening accountability and transparency in government institutions. But despite new legislation and an increasing number of anti-corruption and integrity institutions intentions still outnumber accomplishments and tangible successes remain sparse.

Because corruption endangers the stability of democratic institutions, discriminates in the delivery of services, thus violating the rights of people, and disproportionately impacts the poor UNDP considers its activities in the area of anti-corruption essential to strengthening democratic governance in support of poverty alleviation and the protection of human rights.

UNDP (2005): Institutional Arrangements to Combat Corruption: A Comparative Study UNCAC requires that States designate a body or bodies to coordinate anti-corruption prevention and enforcement measures. This comparative study of institutional arrangements to combat corruption, covering 14 countries, is aimed at providing an overview of the various options available is this regard, as well as discussing the advantages and disadvantages of these. Thus the study offers a menu of options and solutions for countries in the region and beyond to be adopted to the local political, social and economic situation.

The entry into force of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is a significant development in the fight against corruption. The Convention calls on State Parties to implement a range of anti-corruption measures affecting their laws, institutions and practices. It also provides benchmarks by which civil society can hold governments accountable for anti-corruption efforts. As the UN agency that takes the lead on democratic governance UNDP will collaborate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other partners to support the implementation of UNCAC. In support of this the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre has completed a study on Institutional Arrangements for Combating Corruptions.

In the region UNDP works to build capacity of national counterparts as well as support the strengthening of institutional and legislative frameworks for combating corruption. The majority of UNDP’s activities in the area of accountability and transparency remains targeted directly at the country level, through UNDP Country Offices in the region. It should be noted that activities under the Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption service line are complemented by activities in the other democratic governance service lines in working towards strengthening national integrity systems across Asia and the Pacific.

Increasingly, attention is also being paid to the importance of Access to Information as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption. A clear link exists between effective anti-corruption policies and an environment conducive to media involvement and Access to Information. Thus UNDP’s support in this area has increased significantly over the past years.

Community of Practice – “Integrity in Action in Asia Pacific”

During 2006 the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre will support the establishment of a regional Community of Practice on “Integrity in Action in Asia Pacific”. The Community of Practice will bring together UNDP practitioners in the region with the purpose of enhancing UNDP interventions and capacities in the area of accountability and transparency through the sharing of experiences on anti-corruption programming and implementation. A regional conference will be held in late October to launch the Community of Practice.