Dili-2/05/2012–The Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) Team, lead by Commissioner Adérito de Jesus Soares, today presents to the Council of Ministers regarding self-assessment report of the United Nations Convention on Anti-Corruption (UNCAC) implementation in Timor-Leste. The thirty-minute presentation highlights several important points including UNCAC review mechanism, review cycle, challenges, measures to be taken for future consideration after the First Review cycle and comprehensive approach on Timor-Leste’s national strategy for combating corruption.

The self-assessment report is welcomed by the Council of Ministers and is treated as an important document for the country’s effort in compliance with the international convention. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in his feedback emphasizes that the report should set as a basis for Timor-Leste to reflect in its process of developing the country’s national strategy for combating corruption.

Timor-Leste’s UNCAC Self-Assessment process started in April 2011following the Council of Ministers’ appointment of CAC as a focal point representing Timor-Leste and to take lead in the review process. This is the First Cycle of the UNCAC Review mechanism which focuses on Chapter III regarding Criminalization and Law Enforcement and Chapter IV International Cooperation.   With the support of the Secretariat of the Review Mechanism of UNCAC and the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) the Anti-Corruption Commission reviewed more than 300 questioners related to the above two chapters’ implementation. The presentation today comes ahead of the Team Expert’s Country Review visit, which is scheduled to take place between 22^nd -25^th May 2012.