Speech by the President of the Government - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

Full text of the speech delivered today by the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, in Ponta Delgada, at the opening session of the 4th Regional Conference on Corruption Prevention and Transparency:

"It is with a sense of political and civic responsibility that I address you at this 4th Regional Conference on Corruption Prevention and Transparency, at a time when the Region is marking International Anti-Corruption Day.

This meeting is not merely symbolic.

It is a renewed commitment to those who dedicate their professional lives to studying, preventing and fighting one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary democracies.

Corruption erodes citizens' trust, distorts competition, weakens public administration and compromises the legitimacy of public policies.

It undermines the trust of honest and open citizens in all aspects of life and everyone.

Therefore, tackling corruption is not only an ethical requirement.

It is an indispensable condition for strengthening democracy, the functioning of the rule of law, transparency and citizens' trust in the political process.

When a State — or a Region — commits to preventing corruption, it is clearly stating that democracy is not solely based on the act of voting, but on permanent relations of trust between those who govern and those who are governed.

This trust is built on transparency, responsibility, accountability and integrity.

It was with this purpose in mind that, in 2021, the Government of the Azores created the Corruption Prevention and Transparency Office. 

This office has been entrusted with the mission of promoting and ensuring that all regional public administration services are familiar with, implement and monitor corruption prevention mechanisms.

It has promoted initiatives such as this one to increasingly promote a culture of ethics and responsibility that should be present across all public services.

Corruption prevention requires proximity, knowledge and continuous action.

No entity, however well prepared, can respond to this challenge in isolation.

For this reason, the work carried out by the Office has been cross-cutting across the entire Regional Public Administration, including the public business sector, allowing us to understand the specificities of each organisation and tailor best practices and solutions to them.

We know that corrupt practices can arise in any sector of society.

Therefore, identifying risks, reducing weaknesses and strengthening internal control mechanisms is essential.

This effort is aligned with international recommendations, particularly those of the OECD, which emphasise the importance of solid public integrity systems.

This year, marked by the restructuring of the Office, was particularly dedicated to consolidating ethical instruments, addressing weaknesses and raising awareness among the Public Administration and Azorean society.

Particular attention has been paid to young people, as democratic integrity is also built by educating new generations in ethics and civic responsibility.

Preventing and fighting corruption is always a permanent and demanding task.

It requires updating procedures, continuous training and, above all, the courage to break with indifference.

Every step we take will be a step that brings the Region closer to a more solid and a more transparent public system that is more worthy of citizens' trust.

For the Government of the Azores, integrity is also security.

Transparency is a protective measure.

And prevention is always preferable to reaction.

Becoming aware of correct behaviour and good practices, ethics, and how to comply with transparency rules and procedures is essential for awareness of legitimacy. This is achieved through prevention and the establishment of a culture of ethics and legality.

On the other hand, the State and legislators must be more competent in formulating rules and laws so that they truly serve the public interest and safeguard the honour and good of individuals and institutions.

Moving forward with structural reforms, administrative modernisation, and the strengthening of control mechanisms and increasing openness of public data is the inevitable path.

Legislating frantically is not enough, nor is it advisable.

It is necessary to do so with quality and simplicity so that the application of the law does not result in processes that stifle the smooth running of contemporary societies.

Therefore, all those who have the power to legislate and regulate must do so with high standards of rigour and responsibility, being, from the outset, the first defenders of ethics and transparency. 

Next, it will be essential to monitor the actions of public officials and involve everyone participating in public life.

All for a genuine atmosphere of control, where ethical values — integrity, responsibility, competence and accountability — are not mere abstract principles.

It is everyday practices, adopted by workers, leaders, public managers and members of government, that can set a good example.

Therefore, this conference, enhanced by the presence of renowned experts, is a unique opportunity to increase awareness on the subject, promote a stronger ethical culture that we must uphold in a democracy, and assess the progress made, while also learning from best practices in professional integrity and citizenship.

The commitment of the Government of the Azores is transparent and straightforward: to continue strengthening our institutions, protecting those who report irregularities, promoting good transparency practices, and consolidating a true culture of integrity in the Regional Public Administration.

Building a stronger and more transparent democracy cannot be decreed: it is built by every one of us, everywhere and every day.

It is built through responsible choices, consistent practices and a firm determination to reverse opacity.

I wish everyone an inspiring and productive conference that will generate practical, lasting and transformative actions for the future of our Region.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the effort, independence and proactivity of Dr Patrícia Borges.