The United Nations Development Program through its United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project conducted a 2-day training focusing on the implementation review mechanism of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

The training was requested by the Public Service Commission on behalf of the Government, to familiarize Government officials with the review mechanism that will be used to assess Samoa’s compliance with the UNCAC.

As a new State Party to the convention Samoa is required to undergo a first cycle review of implementation, covering chapters 3 (Criminalization and Law Enforcement) and 4 (International Cooperation) of the Convention.

The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Aiono Mose Sua, noted that the focus of the training workshop will be on the Review mechanism, particularly on the methodology that State Parties like Samoa will use for the review. Additionally, the workshop aims to provide substantial knowledge of the Convention and the tools to be used in order for Samoa to be able to successfully participate in the Implementation Review Mechanism.”

The UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Simona Marinescu, also underscored the significance of having the training immediately after the accession to help officials prepare for the review process. Dr. Marinescu congratulated Samoa on its accession.

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor, together with Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist at the UNDP conducted the training and assisted on the self-assessment process to ensure Samoa will be ready when it implements the required activities of the Convention.

Representatives from integrity-related organizations were invited to participate and these included the Office of the Attorney General, Audit Office, Office of the Ombudsman; Samoa Law Reform Commission, Ministry of Justice Courts & Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Commission.