Vietnam always attaches a great deal of importance to the Anti-corruption Initiative for the Asia-Pacific region and will actively take part in the initiatives’ joint activities to ensure peace, stability, development and prosperity throughout the region.

Government Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh stated this at the 17 th meeting of the steering group that directs the Asia Development Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (ADB/OECD) Anti-corruption Initiative for Asia Pacific, held by Vietnam ’s Government Inspectorate in Hanoi on October 22.

An annual event, the meeting reviews and promotes cooperative initiatives that combat corruption across the region.

In his opening speech, Tranh highlighted the efforts the Vietnamese government was making to prevent corruption, saying that Vietnam had put in place measures to deal with the issue.

A system of documents backing the enforcement of the Anti-Corruption Law has been step by step refined and there were initial positive changes in anti-corruption actions taken by sectors and branches at all levels, Tranh noted, referring to these as the demonstration of resolve of the whole political system and society in eliminating the menace.

When elaborating numerous achievements recorded by the country’s anti-corruption work, the Chief Inspector, however, pointed out that corrupt actions and schemes have become more sophisticated, causing difficulties for the campaign.

He emphasised the importance of enhancing anti-corruption measures in the near future, including promoting administrative reforms and stepping up transparency during investigations, prosecutions and when handling corruption cases.

It is also necessary to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation to promote research and apply international and regional experiences to the fight to eradicate corruption, Tranh added.

At the meeting, the Initiative’s member countries reviewed the results in their campaign against corruption, including implementing the United Nations Convention on Corruption and the conclusions from the 7 th Regional Anti-corruption Conference for Asia Pacific that took place in New Delhi , India , in 2011.

Several observer countries and international organisations, who are members of the Initiative’s Advisory Board, will update all member states with the latest information and share their experiences in the fight against global corruption.

The participants will also discuss their plans for 2013 to promote new initiatives and other measures that combat corruption, which other member countries have already put in place.

This year’s meeting welcomed two new members, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.-VNA