ATC080822: Report GOPAC

Public Service and Administration

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on the National Conference of the Crans Montana Forum of Global Organisations of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), dated 22 August 2007:

1. Introduction

The Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), which met under the auspices of the Crans Montana Forum, took place on the 28th June to 01 July 2007 in the Principality of Monaco.

2. Background

Since 1989 the annual session of the Crans Montana Forum has been the meeting place of the world’s decision makers. GOPAC is an international network of parliamentarians dedicated to good governance and combating corruption throughout the world.

3. Delegation

The Portfolio committee was represented by Hon. M R Sikakane, MP (ANC).

4. Observations

The topics were extremely diversified, for example presenters could talk about certain situations in particular countries, like ‘‘The Foreign Investment Climate – Opportunities for Business in Bulgaria, The State of the Debate on Global Governance”, and so on.

The Conference deliberated on global and sustainability challenges; the need for increased co-operation among all spheres of government, the challenges of terrorism, trans-national crime and the contribution of the private sector, and the Anti-corruption policies to improve public governance.

There were presentations on the future of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to crimes committed by heads of state and governments; and on globalisation and the challenges of information and communication technologies for the new economies. Discussions on how governments could move in this new area took place.

5. CONCLUSION

The Conference concluded that transparency, democracy and accountability are principles that should underpin how countries, governments and the private sector handle corruption and good governance. It was highlighted that to break the “divide” between and among nations of the world it is important to enhance dialogue on issues such as religion, democracy and good governance to fight corruption on the same front and understanding.