Permanent Representative to the OAS Ambassador Dr. Riyad Insanally (Right)
Georgetown: Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge reiterated Guyana’s commitment to enhancing partnership at the regional and international levels to eradicate corruption in all its forms.
The Minister addressed heads of states and delegations of the Organisation of American States (OAS) at the Summit of the Americas which is being held at the Lima Convention Centre in Lima, Peru.
“I, therefore, take this opportunity to reiterate my Government’s commitment to the strengthening of the anti-corruption mechanisms and strategies in keeping with anti-corruption treaties to which we are signatories,” Minister Greenidge said.
Those treaties include the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC).
Effective governance and institution that are accountable and transparent while being headed by strong leadership are important to eradicating correction, Minister Greenidge pointed out.
Guyana, the Minister noted, has taken concrete measures nationally to eradicate corruption in all of its forms in an effort to build a more prosperous, safe, sustainable and democratic society.
“Guyana has implemented several laws and regulations to strengthen its legal systems and institutions in order to investigate, prosecute and deter corrupt acts,” Minister Greenidge noted.
The passage and ascension of the State Assets Recovery Act in May 2017 “embodies the anti-corruption thrust of the state,” Minister Greenidge noted. The Act, which is predicated on the 2003 United Nations Convention against Corruption will engage in international cooperation in the recovery of stolen assets of the states.
Meanwhile, the introduction of the Protected Disclosure Bill and Witness Protection Bill are aimed at “combating corruption and other wrongdoing by encouraging and facilitating disclosure of improper conduct in both the public and private sector,” Minister Greenidge said.
Additionally, Guyana has embarked on several public awareness sessions to educate communities across the country and engage stakeholders on the extent of the legislation and bills aimed at tackling corruption, Minister Greenidge told the Heads of States present.
Minister Greenidge noted that Guyana has also made “significant progress” towards the preservation of an effective Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT).
Corruption hinders economic growth and development, Minister Greenidge noted. The World Economic Forum estimates the financial cost of corruption equals more than five percent of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
“Combating illicit financial flows, capacity building in public administration and encouraging partnership with the private sector as well as the inclusion of strong and active civil society actors are steps towards this end,” he said.
This year’s Summit of the Americas is being held under the theme “Democratic Governance against Corruption” and concludes today with the adoption of the Lima Declaration by the OAS Heads of States present.
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