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%30 %b. %2013|News
GOPAC and the Parliamentary Network Partner to Fight Corruption in Development Aid
Ottawa, Canada –The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
(GOPAC) and the Parliamentary Network of the World Bank and International Monetary
Fund (the Parliamentary Network) are calling on parliamentarians around the world to help
fight corruption by improving oversight in the management of development aid. To support
parliamentarians, they have launched Guidelines to Strengthen Oversight Through
Parliamentarian-Donor Collaboration.
“Corruption in development aid is naked theft from the most destitute and most vulnerable
people on earth” said GOPAC Executive Director, Akaash Maharaj. “Our guidelines will
help parliamentarians around the world ensure that donor funds are used only for their
intended purposes, and that those who would prey upon development aid are brought to
justice.”
GOPAC and the Parliamentary Network created the Guidelinesin consultation with the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Guidelinesinclude 14
recommendations on: collaboration between parliamentarians and donor organizations;
regulatory frameworks on the management of funds; and the building of institutional
oversight capacity. The Guidelines will also help parliamentarians vigorously scrutinize
foreign loans and donor-sponsored assistance programmes, and collaborate with
international financial institutions to ensure that all stages of loan negotiations are subject to
democratic accountability.
“At a time when many donor nations are looking closely at domestic budgets and
opportunities to consolidate deficits, it is essential that taxpayers know development aid is
reaching the world’s poorest. These guidelines will help give that confidence,” said Jeremy
Lefroy MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Network. “G8 nations are also pledged to spend
0.7% of GNI on development aid and as we seek to increase aid flows to tackle extreme
global poverty these recommendations will help ensure that money works as hard as it
possibly can to deliver that aim.”
The Parliamentary Network is an independent, non-governmental organization that provides
a platform for parliamentarians from over 140 countries to advocate for increased
accountability and transparency in development cooperation.
GOPAC is a worldwide alliance of parliamentarians working together to combat corruption,
strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law. Based in Ottawa, Canada, GOPAC
has 47 national chapters on 5 continents. GOPAC supports its members’ efforts through
original research, global anti-corruption capacity building, and international peer support.
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