The main launch of the APHDR on corruption took place in Indonesia - a major programme country for UNDP. The President of Indonesia, H.E President Yudhoyono launched the Report at the Presidential Palace, signalling political support at the highest level. Present among the participants were prominent Ministers, donors, diplomats and the media. Speaking at the launch, the President said “Indonesia has won many battles in the fight against corruption, but we have not won the war. Indonesia's choice is clear: no matter how heavy or how big the obstacles are, the show must go on”. Read more
Afghanistan: 20th August 2008
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan (SRSG) called on Afghanistan’s people, civil society and the media to stand up against corruption In Kabul. Speaking at an event with Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance, Anwar ul-Haq Ahadi, the SRSG, Kai Eide said; “Corruption in Afghanistan is endemic, it hurts the poorest people disproportionately, pushes people away from the state and undermines our joint efforts to build peace, stability and progress for Afghanistan’s peoples. Read more
Bhutan: 12th June 2008
In Bhutan, the Report was launched in Thimpu by the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley, who pledged to continue the battle against corruption. At the event the Prime Minister said, “The greatest thing about democracy is not only about having the power to elect politicians to govern, but the power and the rights of the people to hold the government accountable and to change it if it is not accountable”. Read more
India: 11th July 2008
A panel discussion organized by the UNDP India Country Office was held on the APHDR in New Delhi. The event featured Mr. M. Veerappa Moily, Chairperson, Administrative Reforms Commission, Mr. A. K. Banerjee, Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General of India’ Mr Arvind Kejriwal, Director, Parivartan’ , Mr. Harivansh, Editor, Prabhat Khabar, Jharkhand and Mr. Mark Lewis, Acting Head, DFID, Mr. Ajay Chibber, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, chaired the panel discussion. Dr. Maxine Olson, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, gave the welcome address.
Iran: 16 June 2008
In Tehran, UNIC organized a press conference for the Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby to launch the APHDR for the Iranian media. Read more
Laos: 11th September 2008
The APHDR was launched in Vientiane in conjunction with a significant 2-day workshop on the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The event culminated in a general agreement from the Lao Government to ratify the UNCAC. The Lao anti-corruption strategy was also discussed.
Malaysia: 12th June 2008
In Malaysia, the UNDP Country Office, in partnership with Transparency International (TI), launched the Report in Kuala Lumpur via a media briefing. Read more
Nepal: 12th June 2008
“Deeper democratic exercises are needed to tackle corruption and there needs to be more focus on building stronger institutions to strengthen the rule of law rather than only talking about penalizing the defaulters. There also needs to be stronger actions taken to curb cross-border corruption.” said Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission at the launch of the APHDR in Nepal. Read more
Papua New Guinea: 28th October 2008
The launch of the Asia Pacific Human Development Report in Port Moresby has revived calls for the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). RC Dr Jacqueline Badcock speaking during the launch said: “I understand that at one stage some years back, legislations were drafted to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Perhaps its worth revisiting that given the current reactions in the public domain”, said Dr Badcock. Read more
Thailand: 26th June 2008
The APHDR was disseminated at a Forum on Preparedness of Thailand as the State Party of UN Convention against Corruption held in partnership with Thammasat University and the Office of National Counter Corruption in Bangkok. The event was organized in response to Thailand’s preparedness to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) later this year. The forum included representatives from government agencies, such as Anti Money Laundering Office, Ministry of Justice, Assets Scrutiny Committee, the Supreme Court, academia, civil society and UNDP. The forum addressed problems and corruption issues that Thailand is facing and its efforts to combat corruption. Read more
Timor Leste: 9th December 2008
Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives was launched on 9th December in Dili on International Anti-Corruption Day by the Provedoria for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), in collaboration with the human rights fraternity in Timor-Leste. Mr.Finn Reske-Nielsen, DSRSG and UNDP Resident Representative released the Report in the presence of President Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Provedore Dr. Sebastiao Dias Ximenes members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of development partners. Read more
Solomon Islands: 30 June 2008
Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono launched the Report for the Pacific region in Honiara, Solomon Islands during the Freedom of Information Workshop for Pacific Policy Makers. The Deputy
Prime Minister said that he was committed to an “Anti-Corruption Commission established by 2010 for CNURA government”. The launch, organised by the Pacific Centre, coincided with a three-day workshop on Freedom of Information for policy makers in the region. Mr. Fono said that the Solomon Islands is committed to fighting corruption. He wanted to see the Parliamentary House Committee finish the proposed Code of Ethics for Parliamentarians. This will help parliamentarians and leaders avoid or minimise corruption once fully abreast with this ethical codes”.Read more
