Lae (Papua New Guinea), 29 August 2022 - Papua New Guinea’s expertise in investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption was enhanced through an intensive training workshop in Lae, Morobe Province, from 24-26 August organised by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with European Union support.
Over forty public officials from eleven provinces boosted their cooperation and skills to conduct more effective investigations of money laundering connected to corruption and other financial crime.
“Many countries world-wide have benefited from this training and UNODC is proud to deliver it to Papua New Guinea. Effective enforcement of anti-corruption laws is a critical part of Papua New Guinea’s goal of having effective systems and processes to bring corrupt actors to account,” said Mr Graeme Gunn, UNODC Officer-in-Charge and Anti-Corruption Adviser, Papua New Guinea.
Mrs Josephine Pitmur, Deputy Secretary, Department of Justice and Attorney General, said: “Anti-money laundering laws and proceeds of crime powers are quite new concepts in our law. Our next priority is to apply these laws to their full effect to deter and punish wrongdoing.”
“The people of Papua New Guinea expect and deserve to have all public agencies engaged in the fight against corruption work together. I commend all the agencies attending this unique training here in Lae, only together can we move mountains,” said Mr Thomas Eluh, Chair of the interim PNG Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The Auditor General’s Office, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit, Investment Promotion Authority, interim Independent Commission Against Corruption, Office of the Public Prosecutor, Ombudsman Commission and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary are all participating in the training together. Delivered by Mr Jason Reichelt of UNODC, it is a highly practical and interactive programme with further support from Ms Josephine Mann of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
This workshop was conducted under the Project on Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea, implemented jointly by UNODC and the UN Development Programme PNG, and funded by the European Union.
