May all be auspicious.

First and foremost, we take pride in acknowledging the Anti-Corruption Commission's accomplishment of hosting this Corruption Risk Assessment Workshop virtually for the first time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to extend our gratitude to the CPUs from Union Ministries and Organizations, as well as the experts from UNDP and UNODC who will contribute to the lectures and discussions.

        Recalling the initiation of CPU formation in July 2018, a consensus was eventually reached after several months of discussions. As a pilot project, CPUs were established in 14 Union Ministries starting from January 2019. Encouragingly, the expansion has continued, with CPUs now established in 22 organizations.

    After the establishment of CPUs, collaborative training and workshop programs were organized in partnership with UNDP and UNODC to enhance work skills and facilitate discussions among heads of the departments. Drawing upon the international expertise of UNDP and UNODC, we will discuss the analysis of Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA), a core function of CPUs. In the midst of the pandemic, ACC’s pioneering virtual workshop required us to not only grasp the subject matter but also adapt to the virtual environment. The shift from traditional in-person discussions to this innovative online exchange of perspectives demands a gradual adjustment in our new normal.

CPUs can effectively carry out their practical tasks only when they grasp CRA comprehensively. Furthermore, it is crucial to emphasize that CRA is an optimal approach to minimize corruption's impact on staff and create a corruption-free environment. CPUs are mandated to identify malpractices resulting from loopholes in laws, rules, regulations, and departmental directives, with the aim of curbing corruption within their organizations. Such assessments require insightful input from staff at operational levels, including CPUs. Hence, the inclusion of CRA is designated as one of their core missions.

        Conversely, as a member state of the Convention, ACC holds a pivotal role in reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Within the mutual evaluation process among member states, which pertains to enforcing standards on money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism within the Asia-Pacific region, the Commission’s participation in evaluating, reviewing, and identifying risks in the domain of corruption for their respective countries is invaluable. At this moment, we would like to emphasize that this workshop significantly contributes to ACC’s monitoring and evaluation processes.