Closer cooperation and coordination amongst jurisdictions vital for graft fight, says ICAC chief
2012-5-11
ICAC Commissioner Dr Timothy Tong Hin-ming today (Friday) told an international conference that closer cooperation and specific coordinated actions amongst jurisdictions was vital for the global fight against corruption, which went hand in hand with organ ised crimes nowadays.
Apart from the use of mutual assistance, extradition and joint investigations, such actions could also include confiscation and recovery of assets as well as the repatriation of the proceeds of crimes to the victim jurisdictions, Dr Tong added.
In his closing address at the Fifth ICAC Symposium, entitled “ Old Challenge, New Approach: Fighting Corruption in a Changing World ”, Dr Tong noted that during the three-day conference, delegates from various jurisdictions recognised that corruption had begun to manifest in different ways, specifically through abuse of office and breakdowns of corporate compliance.
“In countering such crimes, political will and public support are essential, and commitment must come from the baseline as well as top down,” said Dr Tong.
On ways to improve international cooperation, he noted that mutual respect for both sovereignty and culture must be maintained to build up mutual trust while barriers caused by different heritage and differing legal systems must be brought down to further common goals.
The Commissioner also pointed out that well developed anti-corruption systems prioritized prevention and education along with law enforcement.
The three-day symposium featured a total of 28 speakers from anti-corruption, law enforcement and regulatory bodies, justice departments and legal professions from 18 jurisdictions and eminent international organisations.
The international conference was attended by about 500 delegates from over 50 jurisdictions and international organisations, including Mainland and Macao, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Nigeria, Malaysia, S ingapore, Mongolia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, United Nations, World Bank, European Anti-Fraud Office and the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.
Following the closing ceremony, about 100 delegates visited the ICAC Building this afternoon to acquaint themselves with Hong Kong’s anti-graft work and strategy.
They toured various facilities of the ICAC, including the Exhibition Hall, the Centre of Anti-Corruption Studies, the Detention Centre, the Identification Parade Room and the Video Interview Rooms.
Apart from the use of mutual assistance, extradition and joint investigations, such actions could also include confiscation and recovery of assets as well as the repatriation of the proceeds of crimes to the victim jurisdictions, Dr Tong added.
In his closing address at the Fifth ICAC Symposium, entitled “ Old Challenge, New Approach: Fighting Corruption in a Changing World ”, Dr Tong noted that during the three-day conference, delegates from various jurisdictions recognised that corruption had begun to manifest in different ways, specifically through abuse of office and breakdowns of corporate compliance.
“In countering such crimes, political will and public support are essential, and commitment must come from the baseline as well as top down,” said Dr Tong.
On ways to improve international cooperation, he noted that mutual respect for both sovereignty and culture must be maintained to build up mutual trust while barriers caused by different heritage and differing legal systems must be brought down to further common goals.
The Commissioner also pointed out that well developed anti-corruption systems prioritized prevention and education along with law enforcement.
The three-day symposium featured a total of 28 speakers from anti-corruption, law enforcement and regulatory bodies, justice departments and legal professions from 18 jurisdictions and eminent international organisations.
The international conference was attended by about 500 delegates from over 50 jurisdictions and international organisations, including Mainland and Macao, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Nigeria, Malaysia, S ingapore, Mongolia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, United Nations, World Bank, European Anti-Fraud Office and the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.
Following the closing ceremony, about 100 delegates visited the ICAC Building this afternoon to acquaint themselves with Hong Kong’s anti-graft work and strategy.
They toured various facilities of the ICAC, including the Exhibition Hall, the Centre of Anti-Corruption Studies, the Detention Centre, the Identification Parade Room and the Video Interview Rooms.