Commission Against Corruption, Macao SAR

Hosted by the CCAC on behalf of the Macao SAR Government and co-organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the 13^th Steering Group Meeting of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific started at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in the morning today (23^rd March). It is the first time for 70 delegates of 28 countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region to report on the progress made in the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Action Plan at a two-day meeting in Macao .

The Commissioner of the CCAC, Cheong U, delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. He noted that on 31^st March 2006, the CCAC endorsed the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific on behalf of the Macao SAR Government under the administrative order issued by the Chief Executive of Macao. Under the endorsement, the Commission was committed to combat and prevent corruption through the three pillars of action within the framework of the Initiative.

The financial crisis, which has been affecting the whole world since last year, has reflected that many loopholes, illegalities and injustice existed in the supervision of financial activities, bringing an enormous challenge to the work of fight against corruption in the world. Therefore, the Commissioner thought that facing the hardship at the moment, it was necessary to fortify the actions of corruption prevention and suppression through international and regional cooperation. The ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific is exactly a regional platform that promotes the cooperation among the members in corruption fighting with concrete action plans.

The Commissioner added that since its establishment on 20^th December 1999, the Macao SAR Government had been striving to combat corruption and promote a clean culture in the public service. In compliance with the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Macao , the government determined that it was necessary to legislate against corruption in the private sector. The bill entitled ¡§Prevention and Suppression of Bribery in the Private Sector¡¨ was submitted to the Legislative Assembly for examination in this month and the discussion on the bill will take place tomorrow (24^th March). It is believed that the approval of the bill will facilitate the elevation of overall integrity of the society.

The Steering Group Meeting of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific takes place in different countries or regions every year. At the 13^th Steering Group Meeting in Macao, the member countries/regions of the Initiative report on the recent progress of anti-corruption reforms that have taken place since the 12^th Steering Group Meeting last year, share and exchange the experience in the implementation of the three pillars of action and the methods, discuss the UNCAC Self-Assessment Checklist and assist each other in completing the checklist.

The countries/regions that join the Steering Group Meeting include China , Hong Kong , Macao , Japan , Singapore , South Korea , Malaysia , Thailand , India , the Philippines , Mongolia , Bhutan , Brunei , Cambodia , Fiji , Kyrgyzstan , Nepal , Pakistan , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Sri Lanka , Vanuatu , Vietnam , Bangladesh and Samoa . Moreover, there are representatives of international organizations such as the Transparency International, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Apart from the Steering Group Meeting, the delegates will also attend the 8^th Regional Seminar of the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific entitled ¡§Good Practices in Corruption Prevention¡¨ on 25^th and 26^th March. At the seminar, they will exchange their experiences in prevention and suppression of corruption and the enhancement of regional cooperation. Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, will officiate the opening ceremony on behalf of the Macao SAR Government and delivered a keynote speech, while 30 representatives of local public departments, higher education institutions and policy research organizations will participate in the discussion and exchange.

Welcoming Remarks by Cheong U, the Commissioner of the CCAC of Macao, at the 13^th Steering Group Meeting of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific 

The Commissioner, Cheong U, addressed the 13th Steering Group Meeting of ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific

Group photo of the delegates

On the main rostrum