Fiji has made progress in addressing corruption, according to the latest results from Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
The report marks the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world.
Fiji scored 55 out 100, ranking 50th out of the 180 countries and territories in the CPI and ranking it in the top 30% of countries.
This score is three points up from its 2023 mark of 52 out of 100.
The CPI is based on 13 independent sources and uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.
Fiji is the highest-placed country in the Pacific region, not counting New Zealand which scored 83 and Australia, which recorded 77.
Other Pacific Island nations that make the CPI include Vanuatu (50), Solomon Islands (43) and Papua New Guinea (31).
In the Asia-Pacific region, Fiji is ranked 9th out of thirty countries. The latest CPI is a slight but positive improvement in Fiji’s score.
In particular, it underscores the effectiveness of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in addressing public sector corruption as well as promoting integrity.
FICAC’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, from its proactive efforts of fostering support and education of anti-corruption principles, to the reactive efforts in the number and types of investigations and prosecutions of bribery and embezzlement contribute equally to the improved CPI result.
There have also been increased expectations of accountability in election returns, including political party funding.
According to the 2024 CPI, two of the biggest challenges that faces humanity are strongly intertwined: corruption and the climate crisis.
“While billions of people around the world face the daily consequences of climate change, resources for adaptation and mitigation remain woefully inadequate. Corruption intensifies these challenges, posing additional threats to vulnerable communities.”
In its regional analysis for the Asia-Pacific, Transparency International says that leaders are failing to stop corruption amid an escalating climate crisis.
“In the region most prone to natural disasters, governments across Asia-Pacific are still not delivering on anti-corruption pledges.”
In regards to Fiji, some avenues to improving its score on the CPI include the government’s full implementation of the commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) as well as stronger collaboration between anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.