The keys for the success in the fight against corruption are everywhere – not least in land management: Openness, Transparency, Access to Information and Accountability; Vibrant Media and Protected Whistleblowers, stressed the Ambassador of Sweden in Vietnam Mr Staffan Herrström at a press conference held at the Embassy.
The press conference was held in anticipation for the 8th Anti-Corruption Dialogue which will be held in Hanoi on Nov. 25 to discuss the risk factors leading to corruption in land administration and use as well as possible solutions.
Ambassador Mr Herrström chaired the press conference together with Ms Marie Ottosson, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of the Development Cooperation Section, Embassy of Sweden; Ms Lis Rosenholm, the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Denmark; Mr James Anderson, Senior Governance Specialist, the World Bank and Ms Nguyen Kieu Vien, Executive Director of the Toward Transparency Vietnam. The press conference also drew a great attention from the national and foreign reporters.
Speaking at the press conference, the Ambassador of Sweden, Mr Staffan Herrström said: “I am joining this process in an optimistic spirit. The problems are solvable. We are here as partners to Vietnam. To help, support, facilitate, and advise. These issues are difficult in all countries. If we join hands we certainly can succeed.”
The media were briefed of the outcomes of the roundtable discussion held by the Embassy of Sweden on 18 November, which concluded that risk factors to corruption in land administration and use are detected. However, the roundtable discussion also analysed the good examples and the possible solutions to be taken to reduce corruption in this area. Efforts should be made to further promote transparency and accountability. The importance of access to information was also highlighted.
The Anti-Corruption Dialogue is held twice a year by the Government Inspectorate and the Office for Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption on be half of the Government of Vietnam in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden on behalf of Vietnam’s Development Partners. The outcomes of the Dialogue will also be important inputs to the CG meeting to be held in Hanoi on 7 – 8 December.
