Dili – Across the world, people are today campaigning against corruption in celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day – including in Timor-Leste.

Each year, International Anti-Corruption Day is held on 9 December. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new global campaign theme of ‘Zero Corruption – 100% Development’ during a UN anti-corruption conference in Panama last week.

The campaign aims to bring people together in the fight against corruption – from backgrounds as diverse as the public, lawmakers, civil society, media and the public service.

This year, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, had a strong message for observers of International Anti-Corruption Day across the world:

On this International Anti-Corruption Day, I urge Governments, the private sector and civil society to take a collective stand against this complex social, political and economic disease that affects all countries.  To achieve an equitable, inclusive and more prosperous future for all, we must foster a culture of integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

In that spirit, the Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) and Civil Service Commission jointly held a conference at the Dili Convention Centre more than 1000 guests to share knowledge in what efforts can be taken to combat corruption.

The conference was attended by VIPs including the Vice Prime Minister, Dr Fernando ‘Lasama’ de Araujo, Minister of Justice Dionisio Babo, Minister of Public Works Gastáo Sousa and other members of the Government and Parliament, and the former President of the National Parliament Dr Francisco ‘Lu Olo’ Guterres.

Returning from Panama City for the celebration, Anti-Corruption Commissioner Aderito de Jesus Soares said that he was pleased to see so many people gathered to discuss anti-corruption efforts.

“Fighting corruption should be a social movement,” Commissioner Soares said.

“It is not just a matter for the Government or CAC – it should be part of our broader culture and require the involvement of every citizen and every institution.

“So it’s important that we come together and discuss how as a community we can fight corruption to improve the lives of others here in Timor-Leste.”

The law of the establishment of CAC was passed by the Parliament in 2009 and has been in operation since February 2010.

Since its establishment, CAC has worked closely with the community – with nearly 7,500 people having attended education and corruption prevention workshops held by the Commission this year.

CAC will continue this strong education agenda into the future, along with its commitment to investigate any alleged corrupt activities by public officials.

For more information on the Anti-Corruption Commission, please visit: www.cac.tl