(VOVword)-Transparency and anti-corruption are a hot topic at the ongoing first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting in 2017 in Vietnam’s central city of Nha Trang. Vietnam’s initiatives to encourage public involvement in the fight against corruption have been applauded by other APEC members.

Corruption threatens social stability, institutions, democratic and moral values, justice, and the rule of law and hinder sustainable development. It undermines the macro-economy and discourages foreign investment.

Enhancing public engagement in combating corruption

APEC’s first ever session on public involvement in anti-corruption efforts captured particular interest from delegates. Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Government Inspector General of Vietnam, said that encouraging people and businesses to combat corruption will help to create a transparent and healthy investment environment.

“This endeavor is closely associated with APEC’s goal of promoting trade and investment among its member economies. We all want a healthy and transparent business climate”, Thanh elaborated.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Government Inspector General of Vietnam, discusses with members of the Anti-corruption and Transparency Experts’ Working Group.

Pham Trong Dat,  Head of  the Government Inspectorate’s  Anti-Corruption Bureau told the delegates that Vietnam will establish an agency specializing in collecting reports on corruption.

“This agency will handle information related to corruption, including giving and receiving gifts. It will be an important tool for fighting corruption”, Dat added.

Consolidating anti-corruption commitments within APEC

Anti-corruption has become a global fight. As the initiator of APEC’s first session on public engagement in anti-corruption, Vietnam wants to contribute to APEC’s anti-corruption commitments, including the 2004 APEC Course of Action on Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Transparency, the 2004 Santiago Commitment to Fight Corruption and Ensure Transparency, the 2014 Beijing Declaration and the 2015 Manila Declaration.

“The session’s outcome will be reported to APEC’s Anti-corruption and Transparency Experts’ Working Group. It will be the foundation for guidelines and commitments to ensure public involvement in anti-corruption efforts”, said Pham Van Sau, Government Inspector General of Vietnam.