Minister for Justice and Prisons, Vuna Fa'otusia says while Tonga is yet to accede to the UN Convention Against Corruption, the government is committed to implementing good practices in corruption prevention.
At the same Tonga is committed to cooperation with other integrity agencies across the Pacific.
Speaking to journalists at the opening of a regional workshop on reporting on anti-corruption, Mr Fa'otusia said the media in the Pacific have played a key role in providing a space for citizens to understand the important role of committed to integrity agencies such as the Ombudsman and Auditor General.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, Andrew Ford said the UN Pacific, Regional Anti-corruption (UN-PRAC) project’s co-operation with the media in Samoa and Niue, along with government, civil society, parliaments, youth and the private sector has seen Niue and Samoa become signatories to UNCAC during the past six months.
“We are hoping Tonga will join them very soon,” Mr Ford said.
He said as a key non-state actor, the media have a major role in promoting transparency and helping to hold governments and the private sector to account.
More than 20 Tongan and Pacific island journalists are participating in the two-day workshop organised by the UN in the lead up to the Pacific Media Summit this week in Nuku’alofa.
Photo Loop Tonga. Caption: Minister for Justice and Prisons, Vuna Fa'otusia