Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General wants collaboration among agencies to eradicate corruption in the Caribbean

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj is calling for better collaboration between integrity commissions and anti-corruption agencies, to eradicate corruption in the Caribbean. Mr Maharaj was speaking at the start of the 2nd Commonwealth Regional Meeting for Heads of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies in Commonwealth Caribbean.
 
The Forum of regional integrity commissions, anti-corruption agencies, global experts and other stakeholders, began today in Trinidad & Tobago, and will run until 4th March 2016. According to the World Economic Forum, corruption is estimated to cost more than 5% of the global GDP, or a staggering US$2.6 trillion, with more than US$1 trillion paid in bribes every year.
 
“Caribbean countries are already facing economic challenges such as unsustainable levels of debt and vulnerabilities due to climate change. They simply cannot afford to fall victim to corruption,” said Mr Maharaj. He added: “When those in positions of power abuse public or private office for personal gain, it robs our citizens of important resources, such as access to healthcare, a good education and the infrastructure required for successful entrepreneurships.
 
“We are calling on governments to demonstrate that they are ready to make a stand & stamp out injustice. Our aim over the next 3 days is to work with integrity commissions & anticorruption agencies, to agree on viable and effective solutions.”
 
The meeting was organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with Trinidad & Tobago Integrity Commission & Association of Integrity Commissions & Anti-Corruption Bodies in the Commonwealth Caribbean, which was formed at the 2015 Commonwealth meeting on anticorruption in Grenada. The body was set up to create networks to improve governance and reduce corruption in the region.
 
Commonwealth Secretariat anti-corruption expert, Roger Koranteng, said “rooting out” systemic corruption at both national & international levels, is one of the mandates of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and remains a priority for the Commonwealth Secretariat.