There is a need for better collaboration between integrity commissions and anti-corruption agencies to eradicate corruption in the Caribbean, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj has said.
He was speaking at the start of the 2nd Commonwealth Regional Meeting for Heads of Integrity Commissions and Anti-corruption Bodies in the Commonwealth Caribbean.
The Forum for regional integrity commissions, anti-corruption agencies, global experts and other stakeholders began yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago and will run until Friday.
According to the World Economic Forum, corruption is estimated to cost more than five per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or US$2.6 trillion, with more than US$1 trillion paid in bribes every year.
Maharaj said “Caribbean countries are already facing economic challenges such as unsustainable levels of debt and vulnerabilities due to climate change. They simply cannot afford to fall victim to corruption”.
