Kiribati Faces Financial Crimes and Corruption Challenge: UNODC Launches Comprehensive Engagement

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a week-long initiative in Kiribati to support the implementation of its national anti-corruption strategy. The move aims to combat and prevent financial crimes and corruption within the Pacific island nation.

Background

Kiribati’s second National Anti-Corruption Strategy, adopted in July 2023, seeks to empower the country in its fight against corruption by fostering a cohesive approach to anti-corruption initiatives. The strategy outlines how various laws, governance institutions, and reform programs will collaborate to achieve improved anti-corruption outcomes.

The Initiative

The initiative aligns with Kiribati’s Teieniwa Vision, which emphasizes that integrity-building is a collective responsibility for society as a whole. Civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and the private sector are recognized as crucial partners in promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness in the fight against corruption.

Key Activities

• Workshops were conducted with key institutions such as:
  • Public Service Inspectors
  • Leadership Code Commission
  • Attorney General Office
  • Kiribati Police Service
• A dialogue was facilitated with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to identify priorities and foster collaboration.
• Meetings were held with the Private Sector to identify priorities and foster collaboration.

Significance

The engagement is seen as a significant step forward in Kiribati’s collective stand against corruption, highlighting the pivotal role played by collaboration among stakeholders in constructing a future for Kiribati that is transparent, accountable, and free from financial crimes and corruption.

By working together, Kiribati can build a stronger foundation for its anti-corruption efforts, ensuring a more prosperous and sustainable future for its citizens.