The 16th Principals Meeting of ASEAN Parties Against Corruption (ASEAN-PAC) was held in the form of videoconference on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

 HÀ NỘI — The Government Inspectorate of Việt Nam hosted the 16th Principals Meeting of ASEAN Parties Against Corruption (ASEAN-PAC) as a videoconference yesterday, with the participation of nine ASEAN member states.

With the theme 'Better governance, less corruption', the meeting offered an opportunity for participants to discuss past co-operation, set orientations for future joint efforts, and exchange best practices.

In his opening speech, Inspector General Lê Minh Khái said hosting the meeting provided a chance for the Government Inspectorate of Việt Nam to demonstrate its co-operative commitments, building on the achievements of preceding chairs of ASEAN-PAC, which he said have created a regional community of connectivity and development.

During its 10-year membership of the group, Việt Nam’s inspectorate has maintained strong and effective co-operation with other members for mutual benefits, he added.

Discussing the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic now and in the future, he said the new situation has come with urgent requirements for policy planning, plans of action and changes of priorities in governance and corruption prevention and control in every nation.

It also makes the role of regional and international cooperation clearer, Khái stressed.

He added that good governance is the foremost condition for cracking down on corruption and driving sustainable development.

He hoped participants would share their experience in the field and seek opportunities for more effective co-operation in the time to come.

Apart from the discussion session, the meeting also featured another session on inter-forum co-operation with the participation of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), among other regional and international organisations. — VNS