Vietnam always attaches a great deal of importance to theAnti-corruption Initiative for the Asia-Pacific region and will activelytake part in the initiatives’ joint activities to ensure peace,stability, development and prosperity throughout the region.

Government Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh stated this at the 17 thmeeting of the steering group that directs the Asia Development Bankand the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (ADB/OECD)Anti-corruption Initiative for Asia Pacific, held by Vietnam ’sGovernment Inspectorate in Hanoi on October 22.

An annual event, the meeting reviews and promotes cooperative initiatives that combat corruption across the region.

In his opening speech, Tranh highlighted the efforts the Vietnamesegovernment was making to prevent corruption, saying that Vietnamhad put in place measures to deal with the issue.

A system ofdocuments backing the enforcement of the Anti-Corruption Law has beenstep by step refined and there were initial positive changes inanti-corruption actions taken by sectors and branches at all levels,Tranh noted, referring to these as the demonstration of resolve of thewhole political system and society in eliminating the menace.

When elaborating numerous achievements recorded by the country’santi-corruption work, the Chief Inspector, however, pointed out thatcorrupt actions and schemes have become more sophisticated, causingdifficulties for the campaign.

He emphasised theimportance of enhancing anti-corruption measures in the near future,including promoting administrative reforms and stepping up transparencyduring investigations, prosecutions and when handling corruption cases.

It is also necessary to boost bilateral andmultilateral cooperation to promote research and apply international andregional experiences to the fight to eradicate corruption, Tranh added.

At the meeting, the Initiative’s member countriesreviewed the results in their campaign against corruption, includingimplementing the United Nations Convention on Corruption and theconclusions from the 7 th Regional Anti-corruption Conference for AsiaPacific that took place in New Delhi , India , in 2011.

Several observer countries and international organisations, who aremembers of the Initiative’s Advisory Board, will update all memberstates with the latest information and share their experiences in thefight against global corruption.

The participantswill also discuss their plans for 2013 to promote new initiatives andother measures that combat corruption, which other member countries havealready put in place.

This year’s meeting welcomed two new members, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.-VNA