Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is set to host two prominent international programmes in July, aiming to enhance global discourse on governance and anti-corruption practices. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, made the announcement, highlighting Malaysia’s pivotal role in these significant international gatherings.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the first event, the Regional Summer Academy (RSA), is a collaborative effort between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Assembly of Parties (AoP) of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA). Scheduled from July 11 to 14, the RSA will bring together experts and leaders to share best practices in anti-corruption initiatives. The second event, the International Conference on Governance and Integrity, is slated for July 15. This conference is organized by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) in partnership with MACC, IACA, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Azalina, who serves as the president of the 13th Session of the AoP IACA, emphasized that these events will provide essential platforms for discussing governance practices and enhancing integrity and administrative oversight. She noted that these programmes were a focal point of discussion during the recent IACA Bureau Meeting, which she attended as part of her official visit to Vienna, Austria.
In her statement, Azalina elaborated on her role in chairing the first meeting of the (Extended) Bureau of the Thirteenth Session of the Assembly of Parties of the International Anti-Corruption Academy. The IACA Bureau, which meets quarterly, addresses strategic, financial, and human resource matters, playing a crucial role in shaping the academy’s policies and strategies.
Azalina also mentioned that preparations for the 14th Session of the AoP, planned for later this year, were part of the Vienna agenda. The meeting saw participation from Malaysia’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to IACA, Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim, along with senior officials from IACA, MACC, and BHEUU.
Additionally, Azalina received a courtesy call from Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Their discussions centered around Malaysia’s intention to adopt UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, aligning the country’s insolvency framework with international standards. Azalina highlighted this initiative as a testament to Malaysia’s commitment to legal innovation and economic governance, crucial under the ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, where Malaysia will lead efforts to harmonize cross-border insolvency laws in the region.