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King urges transparency as integrity follow-up panel preparing first annual report

By JT - Jan 07,2015 - Last updated at Jan 07,2015

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed the need to keep Jordanians abreast of the progress made by the Royal committee for follow-up and evaluation of the national integrity system.

At a meeting with committee members, the King said the panel should be transparent and neutral in presenting the results of its work to the public and implementing on the ground for citizens to witness in every sector, according to a Royal Court statement.

The members briefed His Majesty on the committee’s achievements so far and outlined the plan for the current year.

Discussions during the meeting also covered the main aspects of the committee’s work and its observations after holding meetings with the various concerned parties.

Members also highlighted the committee’s goals to entrench integrity as a main characteristic in the behaviour of individuals and establishments.

Rajai Muasher, the committee’s president, gave a presentation outlining the meetings held by the panel with government departments and representatives of concerned sectors to address their responsibilities based on the executive plan of the national integrity system.

Muasher said the discussions were enriched by contributions by  executive, legislative and judicial authorities, in addition to the Economic and Social Council, noting that committee members also met with political party secretaries general and delegates of specialised international organisations with the aim of briefing them on the panel’s work and to ensure their cooperation to achieve its goals.

The committee has also addressed the parties responsible for implementing the integrity plan to ensure that they send detailed action strategies on how to translate the projects outlined there on the ground, the head of the panel said.

He noted that the committee is now studying reports it has received from 27 departments out of 38, with the aim of including their output in the panel’s first periodic report, expected to be finalised in February.

In February last year, King Abdullah tasked Muasher, a former deputy prime minister, to chair a Royal commission entrusted with evaluating and following up on the implementation of the Executive Plan of National Integrity Charter.

The plan was endorsed by a national conference in 2013.

In a letter to Muasher upon his appointment, His Majesty described the national integrity system as “a milestone in the process of comprehensive reform which seeks to provide a better life for our proud people through boosting the democratic approach, fostering the values of justice, respecting citizens’ rights and safeguarding their freedoms”.

The integrity charter addresses major public concerns while the plan includes a detailed framework and timeline to complete a set of projects and laws to boost national integrity and prevent corruption.

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, after the meeting, Muasher said the committee’s plans for 2015 entail project evaluation, noting that the executive plan includes 130 projects.
The panel, he noted, will give priority to projects that enhance the integrity system, and will also submit reports to the concerned authorities to ensure better coordination and participation.

The committee will also monitor the implementation of these projects to make sure they meet the set deadlines, Muasher said, adding that an awareness campaign and a media campaign is designed to inform citizens of the panel’s progress and mechanism of work, in addition to highlighting the importance of integrity in the wider reform drive.

Stressing his commitment to coordinating with the Parliament Muasher said the panel will submit its first annual report on the first anniversary of its inception.

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