TWENTY-THIRD MEETING OF COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF OAS ANTI-CORRUPTION MECHANISM TO TAKE PLACE AT OAS HEADQUARTERS

March 17, 2014 marks the start of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the Committee of Experts of the OAS Anti-Corruption Mechanism (MESICIC).  On this occasion, oversight bodies charged with preventing, detecting, investigating and sanctioning corruption in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana and Nicaragua, will be examined.  Additionally, in October 2013, and as part of the MESICIC review process, on-site visits were carried out with respect to the first four of the aforementioned Sates Parties to the MESICIC, by representatives of the Committee of Experts and the Technical Secretariat.

As a result of this examination, the Committee of Experts will adopt comprehensive reports corresponding to the above member States, regarding their respective implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, including an examination of the consideration that has been given to recommendations issued by the Committee in previous years, addressing areas such as conflicts of interest, sworn statements of income, assets and liabilities, and civil society participation mechanisms, among others.

Prior to the formal opening of the Meeting, the Committee will meet with representatives of civil society organizations.  This informal session will take place at 9am (EST) on Monday, March 17, and will be streamed live here.  Similarly, a discussion on the “Responsibility of the Private Sector in Preventing and Combating Corruption”, to be held at 2:30pm (EST) on Thursday, March 20, and which will include representatives of international and private sector organizations, will also be available via Webcast, here.

Additionally, at 9am (EST) on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza will greet the Committee.  This session will also be transmitted live via Webcast, and available here.

The reports adopted by the Committee during the meeting, which will conclude on Friday, March 21, with respect to Canada, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana and Nicaragua, will be made available for download and consultation on the Anti-Corruption Portal of the Americas.