Commonwealth Secretary-General to attend anti-corruption conference in the Seychelles

Commonwealth Secretary-General

Conference will look at tackling systemic corruption and the illicit flow of money out of Africa

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will travel to the Seychelles this week to attend the 13th Annual Commonwealth Regional Conference of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

The conference is being organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Seychelles Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Secretary-General will host a roundtable with anti-corruption heads prior to the conference, where she is the special guest of honour.

The conference is a focal point for the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (set up by the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2011) to meet, discuss and formulate actions to collaboratively tackle systemic corruption and the illicit flow of funds out of the continent.

The Secretary-General said: “It a pleasure to once again be visiting the Seychelles.

“Corruption continues to be a key challenge across the African continent. Nations are suffering heavy losses as the result of illicit financial flows linked to the proceeds of corruption and crime.

“It is clear corruption poses a significant roadblock to societies – one that undermines social and economic development and impedes progress towards the UN sustainable development goals.

“We are supporting all our member states, in Africa and across the Commonwealth, to improve transparency and accountability, and build institutions and systems which are resilient to corruption. Our conference in the Seychelles is a fantastic opportunity to unite Commonwealth Africa in the fight against corruption.”

According to the UN, corruption costs the global economy $3.6 trillion each year. Over the last 50 years, it is estimated that Africa has lost more than $1 trillion to corruption, equivalent to all the official development assistance received during the same period.

Dr Roger Koranteng, Head of Public Sector Governance, Commonwealth Secretariat said: “This conference provides an opportunity for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies to collaborate and advance progress towards strengthening anti-corruption institutions across Commonwealth Africa to achieve SDG 16.”
The theme of this year’s event is: ‘Uniting Commonwealth Africa in the Fight against Corruption’.

The Secretary-General has been invited to the event by May de Silva, head of the Seychelles’ Anti-Corruption Commission, on behalf of the President of the Seychelles, HE Wavel Ramkalawan.

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