Press Release
MOU signed between the two Anti-Corruption Institution
Posted by Media Team 02 July 2024
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) this morning (Tuesday, 2 July 2024) at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
The MOU was signed between the FICAC Acting Deputy Commissioner Ms Francis Puleiwai and SIICAC Vice-Chairperson Ms Anika Kingmele.
Speaking at the signing, Ms Puleiwai says the overall objective of the MOU is to have mutual and collaborative understanding in terms of sharing common knowledge and continuous capacity building between the two agencies in the fight against corruption.
Ms Puleiwai adds the MOU expresses the understanding and common interests of the two agencies to advance the anti-corruption vision of the Pacific, in line with international and regional commitments, including the Teieniwa Pacific Unity Against Corruption Vision.
The Acting Deputy Commissioner acknowledged the United Kingdom Government and the United Nations Development Program’s Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP) for their generous funding and support, which made the important initiative possible.
Ms Puleiwai says apart from the MOU signing, the senior executives of SIICAC’s Corporate Services Unit will be learning about FICAC’s Complaints Handling System during a three-day peer-to-peer study tour from tomorrow.
Ms Puleiwai also acknowledged the Governments of Fiji and the Solomon Islands for their continuous support, that enabled the MOU to be signed.
The UNDP Pacific Office has been working closely with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and authorities from Pacific Island countries on the advancement of the anti-corruption agenda for improved development outcomes.
SIICAC Vice-Chairperson Ms Kingmele says this auspicious day marks another important milestone for SIICAC as it is the beginning of what will be a progressive bilateral relationship and cooperation, not only between the two agencies but also between the two countries.
Ms Kingmele says SIICAC is a very young organization and has much to learn from older organizations such as FICAC, which has fifteen (15) to sixteen (16) years of experience.
The Vice-Chairperson says SIICAC is keen to share its experiences and challenges and the latter must be seen as opportunities for improvement, adding this is where such understanding is pivotal, not only in institutional capacity strengthening, but more so in the ultimate united fight against corruption.
UNDP Team Leader of Effective Governance and Inclusive Growth Mr Rustam Pulatov says UNDP is proud to support this collaboration because strengthening anti-corruption efforts is crucial for sustainable development.
Mr Pulatov says UNDP’s role is to provide technical assistance and facilitate capacity-building, ensuring that SIICAC and FICAC have the necessary tools and expertise to tackle corruption effectively.
Mr Pulatov says the exchange of knowledge and training sessions will help SIICAC adopt best practices in handling complaints, leading to stronger investigations and prosecutions, whilst fostering a culture of transparency and integrity within both Commissions.
The Head of the United Kingdom Integrated Security Fund Pacific (UKISF), Mr Josh Kemp says it is proving to be a good year for Pacific cooperation in the anti-corruption battle, with this being the second MOU signing that he has been involved in 2024, following FICAC’s MOU signing with the Vanuatu Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP) in May.
Mr Kemp says he feels there is a momentum in the cooperation between the agencies in the region and from the UK’s perspective, it is a privilege and honour to be part of it and lending support towards such endeavours.
Mr Kemp says corruption is a major challenge to tackle, requiring courage on a daily basis from those at the junior level to those at the most senior level.
The UKSIF Team Leader Pacific says he sees stories across a whole range of sectors and development outcomes where corruption is a key barrier to making progress, whether it’s the use of climate change mitigation funding or simply someone trying to pass their driver’s test.
Mr Kemp says it is a real credit to the Solomon Islands and Fiji to meet today for this MOU signing and training.
