Around 80 representatives from 10 countries participated in the Regional Anti-Corruption Conference, which sought to build alliances to create a platform that allows accelerating the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and financed by the United Kingdom Prosperity Fund with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, the Regional Anti-Corruption Conference held from 6 to May 10 allowed to discuss new approaches and catalyze the work of the countries of South America and Mexico to combat corruption, emphasizing the effective application of the UNCAC.
With practical sessions and spaces for discussion, UNODC experts highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Convention, based on the need to strengthen alliances and increase cooperation with private sector entities, civil society organizations, academic circles, parliamentarians. , young people and the general public, who play a fundamental role in the fight against corruption.
During the high-level segment, held on May 8, 9 and 10, the UNODC Representative in Colombia, Pierre Lapaque, highlighted the political will and good practices of the countries of the region to stimulate innovation and modernization of the entities and public policies to combat corruption. "Corruption has to stop. It is time for all of us to assume a role and promote not only the good use of resources, but also the values necessary to overcome this problem," he added.
The event also featured the participation of the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Marta Lucía Ramírez; the Attorney General, Néstor Humberto Ramírez, and the Attorney General, Fernando Carrillo, brought together officials from the public-private sector and leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
In her intervention, the Vice President, Marta Lucía Ramírez, called for more spaces to be encouraged to address this common problem that must be faced with the participation of all actors in society through efficient integration mechanisms for America. Latin.
With these types of events, UNODC and international cooperation continue to promote the exchange of knowledge, data and good practices that allow deep and exhaustive discussions to advance in the implementation of the UNCAC and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the SDG. 16: Peace, Justice and Solid Institutions.
During his speech, Sergio Rivera Sánchez, representing the NGO Contraloría Ciudadana para la Rendición de Cuentas, A.C., mentioned some of the verification, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of institutional actions and processes in matters of public interest, carried out by the Organization. with the purpose of monitoring the correct performance of the Public Administration.
In this sense, Sergio Rivera highlighted that the NGO CCRC linking scheme with public entities is intended to jointly formulate and operate exercises through which access to government public information becomes the key for citizens and public entities. public servants have access to effective accountability and prevention of corruption.
From its scope of intervention, he concluded, the Organization aims to make access to information not only a right, but an empowerment tool in terms of its systemic and functional virtues that allow improving the lives of citizens.