Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (22 June 2019): PNG, Vanuatu

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Lack of accountability threatens Pacific coastal fishery.  The Pacific's sea cucumber fishery is losing millions of dollars through corruption and a lack of accountability.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/392224/lack-of-accountability-threatens-pacific-coastal-fishery

The Leaders of These Sinking Countries Are Fighting to Stop Climate Change. Here's What the Rest of the World Can Learn.  Like the rest of the world, the region faces issues beyond climate change. Corruption abounds; poverty is rampant. 

https://time.com/longform/sinking-islands-climate-change/

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Actioning needed for plan against corruption.  Corruption and law and order remains two major problems in Papua New Guinea, says Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/actioning-needed-plan-against-corruption-85022

Manus Island to become corporate tax-free zone, says PNG prime minister.  The prime minister of Papua New Guinea has declared Manus Island will become a corporate tax-free zone, prompting fears it could become a Pacific tax haven.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/21/manus-island-to-become-corporate-tax-free-zone-says-png-prime-minister

Papua New Guinea’s most divisive PM is gone – his successor must learn from his mistakes.  Peter O’Neill struggled with tackling corruption, shoring up the economy and a refusal to share power.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/14/papua-new-guineas-most-divisive-pm-is-gone-his-successor-must-learn-from-his-mistakes

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu's right to information law proving effective. One of Vanuatu's leading journalists says the right to information law has contributed to an air of openness in the country.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/392426/vanuatu-s-right-to-information-law-proving-effective

Concerns in Vanuatu over public servant spending on overseas trips.  The chair of Vanuatu's Public Service Commission says he's shocked by the amount of money being spent by public officials on overseas trips.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/392249/concerns-in-vanuatu-over-public-servant-spending-on-overseas-trips

 

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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