In support of Tonga’s efforts to strengthen its integrity system, the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) and the UNDP Pacific Office convened a technical exchange on 17 April as part of the SDG Partnership on Whistleblower Protection. The event brought together the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Tonga Anti-Corruption Commission (TACC).
Through the SDG Partnership, USPC’s flagship initiative, USPC works closely with the UNDP Pacific Office to support Tonga and Vanuatu in advancing whistleblower protection mechanisms as part of broader efforts to strengthen integrity systems. Pacific Island Countries have been taking significant steps forward in this area. For instance, the Government of Tonga enacted its Whistleblower Protection Act in 2025, while Vanuatu is progressing discussion on strengthening its draft legislative framework. These developments reflect a growing commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks, with continued efforts focused on enhancing implementation, procedural development and capacity building.
Drawing on the ROK’s experience, Tonga and Vanuatu are working to strengthen whistleblower protection systems in ways that are adapted to their national contexts. Against this backdrop, the technical exchange offered an opportunity for practical knowledge sharing between the ACRC and TACC, supporting ongoing collaboration and peer learning.
Chris LaHatte, Commissioner of TACC, opened the meeting by...
A person in his 30s who demanded compensation for alleged foreign substances in cup noodles and the absence of meat in stir-fried pork was sentenced to prison in both the first trial and the appel...