The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has stepped up efforts to strengthen integrity, accountability and ethical business practices at the sub-national level, engaging corporate leaders in Lae through a business breakfast focused on governance and anti-corruption partnerships.
The engagement, attended last Friday by senior executives and industry leaders from across Morobe Province, centered on the role of ethical leadership in preventing corruption and improving governance systems across both the public and private sectors. Related article: https://www.icac.gov.pg/news/engaging-the-business-community-promoting-integrity-and-accountability-through-partnerships/
Addressing participants, ICAC Acting Commissioner Thomas Eluh said the private sector plays a critical role in strengthening integrity due to its close and ongoing relationship with government institutions.
“In many respects, the business community is one of Government’s largest partners, as well as a key client and service provider.”
“Every day, businesses engage with government through contracts, licensing, taxation, procurement processes, and service delivery arrangements,” Mr. Eluh said in a statement.
He said because of these interactions, the integrity of public systems is closely connected to how businesses conduct themselves.
“When businesses operate ethically, systems function effectively. When unethical practices occur, those systems are weakened and corruption can take root,” he said.
Mr. Eluh told participants that corporate leaders are uniquely positioned to drive ethical standards within their organizations while supporting broader public sector accountability.
“The business community is not separate from the fight against corruption. You are central to it. Your decisions, standards, and leadership shape how systems operate across the country,” he said.
He added that ethical business practices not only protect organizations and their reputations but also strengthen public institutions and contribute to national development.
Participants used the session to discuss governance challenges and identify practical measures to improve internal integrity systems, manage corruption risks and encourage ethical decision-making in their organizations.
The business breakfast forms part of ICAC’s wider regional engagement program launched earlier this year to build partnerships, encourage collective action and strengthen integrity at sub-national levels of governance.
ICAC also acknowledged the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the European Union, for supporting the delivery of the event.