Anti-corruption group meets in capital city HA NOI (VNS)— The 17th Steering Group Meeting of the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific was held in the capital city yesterday. The country has made significant progress in battling corruption, from the highest powers down to the grass roots level, Huynh Phong Tranh, Vietnamese Government Chief Inspector, said in his opening speech. "These changes reflect the determination and capacity of the whole political system and of all society to prevent corruption," said Tranh. However, as corruption grows increasingly complicated and sophisticated, he added, the Government's achievements were only a starting point. The Vietnamese Government has decreed that combating corruption is a key element of its domestic strategy and therefore the fight against corrupt entities must be strengthened. "Viet Nam is committed to further accelerating administrative reform, promoting transparency and accountability, and prosecuting corruption cases," said Tranh. In addition, Viet Nam has promoted its bilateral and multi-lateral co-operation with countries both in the region and internationally when it comes to anti-corruption measures. Viet Nam has paid high regards to the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific and has actively followed the initiative in order to ensure peace, stability and prosperous development in the region. At the meeting, the participants also reviewed the activities of each member country, including the implementation of the UN Convention on Anti-Corruption and the recommendations of the 2010 Initiative and the implementation of the 7th Regional Anti-Corruption Conference for Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi, India in late September 2011. The participants also discussed the working programme of the Initiative for 2013. At this 17th Steering Group Meeting, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands joined the Initiative as new members. — VNS