Advancing in preventing corruption in Latin America

Mexico and Argentina presented national initiatives to address and prevent corruption and presented experiences of how fair and equitable good public management practices have been implemented. During the Forum, the case of Social Security (IGSS) in Guatemala was mentioned.

June 4, 2021.- In the framework of the special session of the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations, the Government of Mexico through the Permanent Mission to the UN, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretariat of Public Service; the Government of Argentina through the Ministry of Public Works of the Nation, and the

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) held the online event: “Advancing in preventing corruption through partnerships and synergies in public procurement”.

The event was attended by Ms. Grete Faremo, UNOPS Executive Director, Ms. Irma Eréndira Sandoval, Secretary of the Public Service of Mexico, Mr. Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, and Mr. Gabriel Katopodis, Minister of Public Works of Argentina, presented specific examples of joint initiatives between governments, the UN, and international organizations to effectively implement anti-corruption commitments.

Mexico's Chancellor Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon noted that although Mexico has many institutions to guarantee transparency and access to information, unfortunately, there had been no willingness to end corruption and monopolies that prevailed in various areas of the federal government, notably in the public health system. Collaboration with UNOPS, at the request of the Government of Mexico, is therefore essential in this area. “The greatest risk to democracy is corruption because it destroys trust in institutions and political representation, that is the main origin of mistrust,” he said.

The objective of this event was to present specific actions and experiences of joint efforts on the potential to prevent and fight corruption through efficient and transparent public procurement. In addition, experiences were presented on the implementation of Good Practices of Fair and Equitable Public Management.

For his part, the Minister of Public Works of Argentina, Gabriel Katopods, in his address mentioned “the great challenge is how to guarantee that public works are contracted in a transparent manner and how we develop a fair and equitable Public Management to meet this objective. The Ministry of Public Works has been carrying out processes to ensure greater efficiency in the contracting and control of works. We have the political decision and a strategic vision to continue building more egalitarian cities.”

Finally, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNOPS, Ms. Grete Faremo, noted that: “We work with governments on fair governance to prevent corruption, promote the sustainable use of available resources, and ensure equitable services. We help build strong capacities and institutions. Through our support we contribute to improving public procurement, helping governments improve the quality of governance, building and maintaining peaceful societies.”

She also mentioned the successful case of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) where, through transparent bidding processes, the purchase of more than 550 million drugs, the construction of hospitals, equipment, among other services, reached savings of USD 270 million, to benefit the affiliates of the Social Security in Guatemala.

The speakers agreed that addressing corruption requires continuing integrated and coordinated efforts at both the national and regional levels, as well as strengthening partnerships and synergies implemented in public procurement that have shown increased management efficiency, sustainable value, and transparency.

The event is available for viewing through the following links:

CLICK HERE FOR THE EVENT IN SPANISH

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE EVENT IN ENGLISH

For more information: lcr@unops.org

***///***The event was held as a side event to the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS2021), which was held from June 2-4, 2021. In these sessions, UN member states discussed the challenges and measures to prevent and fight corruption and strengthen international cooperation. ***////***