Corruption-related transnational crimes cannot be tackled by a single country alone, said U Soe Thein, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

A corruption awareness-raising and briefing session was jointly organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the Anti-Corruption Commission at the ministry’s meeting hall on the morning of September 22. The ACC chairman made the remarks at the event.

In his address, ACC Chairman U Soe Thein said efforts are being made in accordance with international standards to cooperate in preventing, combating and opposing corruption. He stressed that transnational crimes associated with corruption cannot be effectively fought by one country alone.

He said Myanmar is cooperating with countries around the world in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the common international framework for combating corruption. As corruption is a major obstacle to national development, he emphasized the need for everyone, starting with individuals and extending across all sectors, to participate in and cooperate with anti-corruption efforts.

In his opening remarks, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win said that holding awareness-raising programmes of this kind would enable government departments, organizations and responsible officials to understand acts that could constitute corruption, the adverse effects of corruption, and the provisions and penalties stipulated under the Anti-Corruption Law, thereby helping them avoid circumstances that could lead to corruption.

He said corruption delays the country’s development and public service delivery and damages the country’s reputation, and therefore individuals should refrain from engaging in corrupt practices. He added that the ministry has established a Corruption Prevention Unit (CPU) and is carrying out measures to prevent and combat corruption.

Directors from the Anti-Corruption Commission Office subsequently gave presentations and held discussions on corruption prevention and the Anti-Corruption Law. Officials also responded to questions raised by participants.

Afterwards, ACC member U Tin Aung Win met with members of the Corruption Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. They discussed the current activities of the ministry’s corruption prevention teams and plans for their future work.

The event was attended by Union Minister Dr Soe Win, ACC Chairman U Soe Thein, Deputy Minister Dr Than Soe, ACC member U Tin Aung Win, officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission Office, officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and members of the ministry’s Corruption Prevention Unit (CPU).