Question: What are the efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance in Asia?
Answer:
The fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance in Asia has been a long and ongoing battle since the early 1990s. In recent years, the international community has made significant efforts to strengthen the fight against corruption and promote good governance in the region.
One of the most effective measures taken by the international community to combat corruption and promote good governance in Asia is the establishment of regional and international anti-corruption initiatives. In 1997, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Good Governance and Combating Corruption, which outlines a set of principles and goals for combatting corruption in the region. Similarly, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was adopted in 2005, and has been ratified by over 140 countries, including many in Asia. The UNCAC provides a comprehensive set of measures to tackle corruption, including criminalizing bribery, protecting whistleblowers, and strengthening international cooperation in recovering stolen assets.
In addition to international efforts, governments in Asia have taken a number of steps to combat corruption and promote good governance. In India, the government established the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in 2014 to establish an independent body to investigate allegations of corruption. In Malaysia, the government has implemented a comprehensive anti-corruption framework, including the Anti-Corruption Plan of Action (ACPA) of 2018, which outlines measures to prevent and address corruption.
Furthermore, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also played an important role in the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance in Asia. For example, Transparency International, a global anti-corruption NGO, has been active in the region, raising awareness of corruption and advocating for anti-corruption policies. Similarly, the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) has been instrumental in campaigning for stronger legal frameworks to protect women from corruption and promote gender equality.
In conclusion, the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance in Asia has been ongoing for decades, and is an issue that requires the concerted effort of the international community, governments, and civil society organizations. Through the establishment of regional and international initiatives, the implementation of legal frameworks, and the involvement of civil society organizations, significant progress has been made in combatting corruption and promoting good governance in Asia.