On Monday, May 18, U.S. Ambassador Daniel Clune and Government Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority (GIAA) Vice President Bounsome Sangsomsak opened a week-long training workshop for GIAA officials at the Khampaseuth Hotel in Vang Vieng. The workshop brings together officials from all 18 of GIAA’s provincial offices and will focus on improving officials’ abilities to design and carry out investigations into suspected cases of corruption. The GIAA training will take place from May 18 – 22, and is organized in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative.
“The United States is proud to help fund this workshop and to work with the staff of the GIAA,” said Ambassador Clune. “The importance of the GIAA’s work cannot be understated, and we strongly admire their dedication to their work and to the future of the Lao PDR. Corruption can be an extremely difficult issue to confront. At a low-level, corruption impedes the justice system, it inhibits fair commerce, and it can take advantage of society’s most vulnerable,” Ambassador Clune stated.
In addition to investigative practices, the workshop will cover Lao laws as well as international best practices. Peter Ritchie, the American Bar Association’s Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor, is helping lead training and discussions on the United Nations Convention on Anti-Corruption and Financial Action Task Force standards for combatting money laundering. Other sessions will cover the Lao PDR’s anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws.
Ambassador Clune closed his remarks by noting, “The lessons you learn here will strengthen your institution and can help you facilitate continued gains in the fight against corruption. The government of the United States of America — and our visiting colleagues from the American Bar Association — stand ready to support your valuable work in any way we can.”
Lao Version (PDF 42KB)
