BackThe Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of Korea hosted the 7th Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) Forum on September 2 in Seoul by bringing together high-level officials of major anti-corruption agencies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The biennial meeting has provided a venue for policy dialogue among the heads of anti-corruption agencies that have been leading collaborative efforts for the fight against corruption in the region since its first meeting in November 2002 in Seoul. The ACRC is serving as the secretariat for the forum.
Currently, the ACA Forum consists of 7 member anti-corruption agencies of Australia; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Korea; Malaysia; the Philippines and Singapore. With the approval of new membership of the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity at this meeting, the members of the forum are expected to increase to eight.
The forum was attended by around 30 representatives from 9 anti-corruption agencies of 8 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Ms. Conchita Morales, Ombudsman of the Philippines; Mr. Philip Moss, Integrity Commissioner of the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity; Hon Dato' Hj Zakaria Jaffar, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission; Mr. Adnan Pandu Praja, Commissioner of the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia; Ms. Theresa Hamilton, Deputy Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of New South Wales, Australia; Mr. Ricky Yau, Acting Director of Investigation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong, China; Mr. Ang Seow Lian, Deputy Director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau of Singapore; and Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam.
During the meeting, participants shared latest developments and trends of anti-corruption activities of each country or jurisdiction, and discussed policies and practices on gifts and gratuities offered to public officials.
Moreover, as part of follow-ups to the "Seoul Statement" adopted in September 2009, the "International Forum on Anti-Corruption Best Practices" was held on September 3 to share and spread best practices on the prevention and investigation of corruption among member countries or jurisdictions.
The next ACA Forum meeting will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2015, hosted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
The member agencies of the ACA Forum will continue to take the lead in making efforts to strengthen cooperation and enhance the status and effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies.
Source: Office of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Korea
