The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is very pleased to announce that in conjunction with its International Anti-Corruption Day awareness campaign, it is partnering with the Public Accounts Committee to host its first ever National Annual Seminar being held August 7-9, 2013 at the Suva Holiday Inn.

Invited participants are those from the Ministries of Finance, Provincial Development, Education, Works, Fisheries & Forests, Strategic Planning, National Development & Statistics, Health, Agriculture and Youth & Sports. Invitees also include representatives of other public entities such as Water Authority of Fiji, LTA, Public Service Commission, Fiji Police Force, Auditor General's Office and Co-operative & Small Business.

Themed Public Sector Accountability and Integrity on Project Implementation and Procurement, the seminar will address administrative policies, procedures and regulations based on FICAC's investigated case file assessment. Of the seminar programme, participants will:-

• Review and discuss government's current policies and procedures when it comes to managing government resources for project implementation;
• Identify the areas exposed/gaps that increase the risks of corruption and make relevant recommendations to improve the system;
• Determine the extent and current efforts taken by government to strengthen and improve the accountability and integrity of the discussed systems to prevent corruption; and
• Discuss the challenges faced in preventing the occurrence during procurement and project implementation

The seminar is expected to bring sharp focus to topics of vital importance to project implementation and planning.

Commenting on his vision for the event, Mr. George Langman, FICAC's Deputy Commissioner said, "I am absolutely delighted with the idea in which this seminar came to be. We have basically brought together relevant stakeholders from the public sector in order to create a unique opportunity for those involved in the planning and implementing of government projects, to meet in one place to network and discuss issues of common interest particularly in the development of an appropriate system/mechanisms that will reduce the likelihood of corruption and its related risks that are encountered during all phases of project implementation”.

The seminar is conducted as per provisions under Article 8, 9 and 10 of the UN Convention Against Corruption, which looks into the codes of conduct for public officials, public procurement and the management of public finance and public reporting. It is also an expected outcome under the Accountability Framework and Public Sector Reform outlined under the Government's Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (RDSSED) 2009- 2014.

The three day discussion and workshop will end on Friday, 9 August, 2013.