KUWAIT CITY, Nov 15: The third conference of the Global Organization for Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) is important to strengthen collaboration amongst governments and parliaments around the world to eradicate corruption — a major hurdle to national development and human prosperity,  Chairman of Arab Parliamentarians Against Corruption (ARPAC) MP Dr Nasser Al-Sane told the Arab Times Saturday. The four-day conference will get underway in Kuwait on Monday. Al-Sane said Kuwait’s hosting of this conference under the auspices of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah is a clear depiction of the level of democracy and transparency in the country as well as a proof of its dedication to contribute in the international war against corruption.
Stressing the significance of this conference, Al-Sane stated the event bears an even greater value in the Arab world where levels of corruption have escalated, according to the latest report of the International Organization for Transparency. He went on to express his gratitude to the Amir for sponsoring the event as well as National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi for welcoming the conference in which a large number of global parliamentarians are expected to attend.

The forum, which will kick off on Monday and will last for four days, includes a number of workshops. It will commence with a plenary session on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Attendees at the opening session in the National Assembly on Monday include HH the Amir, Al-Khorafi, former member of Canadian Parliament and GOPAC Chairman John Williams, and former MP and Chairman of the GOPAC chapter in Kuwaiti Saleh Al-Fadalah.
Workshops will focus on anti-money laundering, parliamentary immunity, resource revenue transparency, parliament and development assistance, parliamentary oversight, gender analysis and representation in GOPAC, parliamentary ethics and conduct as well as participation of society. On the second day of the conference, a plenary session on the role of parliamentarians in improving the investment climate will also be conducted.  All sessions will take place in Sheraton Hotel.
Meanwhile, German Bundestag (parliament) member Klaus Uwe Benneter on Saturday hailed the Amir’s sponsorship of the conference.
Speaking to KUNA in Berlin, Benneter extolled the Amir for his kind sponsorship of the event which, he said, manifested Kuwait’s strong commitment to international criterions of the war against corruption.

Benneter, a legal advisor from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), pointed out the authorities concerned with the combat against corruption in some countries face more difficulties in their work than in other countries, especially in cases where corruption is rampant, adding corruption is widespread in countries which suffer from high rate of poverty and social instability.
The German parliamentarian recommended tougher punishment for those engaged in corruption, effective enforcement of the rule of law, and transparency to control all forms of corruption.  He also highlighted the efforts made by Transparency International in this domain.
Revealing Germany ranks number 14 on the world list of corrupt nations, Benneter emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness on combating corruption and risks posed by corruption to economic and social development.
Praising Kuwait for its efforts in combating corruption, Benneter said “Kuwait serves as a role model in this domain not only for other Arab countries but on the international level as well.”

By Dahlia Kholaif
Arab Times Staff and KUNA