Corruption in the Pacific Region needs urgent attention

The level of corruption in the Pacific region is no longer a usual issue but an emergency and security crisis that needs urgent attention.

This was revealed during the 2025 Pacific Update currently underway at the University of South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

The presentations by academics and experts were mostly on the topic of corruption in the Pacific and its impacts on the people.

One of the presenters, Teddy Winn, a PhD. candidate at the University of James Cook in Australia , conducted most of his research on corruption, highlighted in his presentation that corruption resembles a crisis of governance that undermines national integrity.

He says corruption is no longer an isolated case, but it's widespread and a common issue in the region. Hence, it requires collaborative efforts from leaders and policymakers.

Teddy Winn, in his findings, says it is frightening as corruption is penetrating into institutions of governance at an alarming rate unlike before.

"Yes, and it's basically pretty much perceptions from the people that I've interviewed. Overall, the general perception from Papua New Guineans basically revealed that corruption is highly problematic within the public sector.

"It's systematic and it's basically institution-wide. So, again, the overall perception of Papua New Guineans basically does not paint a very positive outlook for the country in terms of public sector corruption. There is more that needs to be done, although we have very good gatekeeper institutions, oversight institutions," Teddy said.

Teddy and his fellow researchers are calling on the regional partners, Non Government agencies, and good leaders of respective countries to seriously invest in fighting corruption before they can talk about economic prosperity.