GUYANA is scheduled to host the 9th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICACB) in April.

Formed in 2015, CCAICACB brings together heads of anti-corruption agencies, senior government officials, relevant international organisations, policymakers, and development partners to review national and regional anti-corruption efforts, share knowledge and good practices, and discuss the impacts of corruption on sustainable development.

The conference, which takes place annually, is sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation and the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is hosted by a different member country each year and employs a different theme relating to ethics and corruption prevention.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira on Monday highlighted that Guyana will host the conference this year and as such, $5 million has been allocated for the event in the 2023 National Budget.

“Included in the $5 million, is that we are hosting the 9th Annual Meeting Conference of the Commonwealth Caribbean Associations of Integrity commissions and Anti-corruption body. That will be held in April of this year; we are the host country for the Commonwealth Caribbean,” Minister Teixeira explained as she responded to questions from Opposition Parliamentarians.

Due to this, the ministry’s budget has seen an increase in meals and refreshments being provided for the hosting of events this year.

The minister also explained that, the fact that regular physical meetings are returning to replace meetings previously held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, means that the budget for hosting of events will increase.

The CCAICACB Conference was last held virtually last year from 23 – 25 May, hosted by St Kitts and Nevis under the theme, ‘Controlling Corruption – Preventative Mechanisms Work Better Than Reactive Measures.’