GOPAC Oceania, with the support of the United Nations Development Program, welcomed legislators from Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Tonga, and members of GOPAC Australia and GOPAC Kiribati at a regional meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in February. The meeting enabled the Oceania region to build the capacity of parliamentarians to support anti-corruption programs both in their countries and in the region with a specific focus on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and parliamentary oversight.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna opened the event. In his remarks he highlighted that Cook Islands signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2011 and that the country’s legislators are committed to strong public accountability and oversight.

At the end of the second day, legislators from Cook Islands formed a new national chapter. Just shy of 75 per cent of the country’s legislators joined GOPAC Cook Islands and committed to a strong fight against corruption at home and abroad. Nandi Glassie will lead the chapter as Chair with the help of Vice-Chair Tetangi Matapo. Joining them are Treasurer Selina Napa, Secretary Mona Ioane, and Board Member John Mokoenga Henry.