PRESENTATION AT THIRD MEETING OF MESICIC HELD AT BRASILIA, BRAZIL ON DECEMBER 9 AND 10. By Belize representative: Oscar Ramjeet Solicitor General Mr. Chairman, distinguished officials and delegates. I regret that I was unable to attend this important conference. The reason being is that I was not aware and was not told that persons holding American passports must first obtain a visa before they can enter into Brazil. On learning this when I checked in at the airport, I tried to secure one at the Brazilian Consul in Miami, I explained the problem and requested an emergency visa, but despite pleas, my request was turned down by officials at the Consul – even the Consulate General. I contacted OAS officials as well as personnel from the Brazilian government in Brasila, but unfortunately they could not assist. I regret this very very much. Re: Progress made by Belize in the Fight against Corruption and in the Implementation of Recommendations of the Committee of Experts of the MESICIC – (This meeting of the Conference of the States Parties of the Mechanism for Follow-Up on Implementation of the Inter-American Convention(MESICIC), December 9-10,2010: Brasilia, Brazil) Belize has, in no uncertain terms, expressed and demonstrated its commitment to fight corruption. The Government of the Hon. Dean Barrow, which was brought to power on a campaign against corruption, continues to take bold initiatives in that direction. But we are strongly aware that any country’s fight against the plague of corruption, requires the collaborative effort of all national sectors – government, private sector, NGO community – as well as of close collaboration with international partners and authorities. In brief, I will highlight some of the important steps taken by Belize in the fight against corruption: At National level, Belize has adopted measures which criminalize the acts of corruption provided for by Article VI (I) of the Convention. For example, we have introduced and passed aimed at preventing and fighting corruption, including the Finance and Audit Reform Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Now, we are in the process of reviewing the Stores and Financial Orders, which are subsidiary legislation for ensuring inter alia, the proper conversation and use of resources entrusted to government officials in the performance of their functions. Further on the issue of Public Procurement, the Government of Belize, with the assistance of the inter-American Development Bank, conducted a review of its public procurement system. Said assessment resulted in the development of an Action Plan for strengthening of such system. The Executive welcomed the assessment and approved the Action Plan on November 30th. With assistance from the OAS, and following consultations with national stakeholders on March 11th and 12th of this year, Belize developed its National Plan of Action. Said Plan of action seeks to assist the country in the implementation of the recommendations made thereto by the Committee of Experts of the MESICIC within the First and Second Rounds of Review. This Plan has now been published the OAS. Dissemination: Draft Plan published in the Attorney General’s Ministry’s website: www.belizelaw.org Internationally, Belize has been assisting its fellow countries in their efforts against corruption by providing them with vital information in their investigation against perpetrators of corruption. Such information has assisted many countries to successfully prosecute the corruption-related offence. Since its ratification of the Convention in 2002 and joining the Mechanism in 2003, Belize has continued to actively participate therein. Belize ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (the Convention) on August 2, 2002 and deposited its instrument of ratification on September 6th of that year, Belize signed the Declaration on the Mechanism on June 9, 2003. Belize has been the last of 28 states to have joined the Mechanism. These 28 MESICIC State Parties are: Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. .