KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – State Minister for National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, has lauded the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) Jamaica Chapter for its commitment to building accountability, transparency and trust in public- and private-sector governance.

“Your over 400 registered members have individually played their part in serving corporate Jamaica and the public sector. But it is your collective efforts, which promise to contribute significantly to the focus on integrity building and ethical behaviour as we strive towards good governance beyond the boardrooms of Jamaica,” he said.He made his remarks in a speech delivered by the ministry’s Senior Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Management, Sandra O’Meally, at the IIA’s Leadership. Innovation. Value. Effectiveness (LIVE) business conference, held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday.Senator Charles noted the importance of having the necessary mechanisms in place to monitor unethical behaviour, detect breaches and encourage people, “especially our leaders”, to “do the right thing”.He noted that ethical failings “can have far-reaching social and economic implications for us as individuals, and a domino effect for our society”.He said Jamaica’s national security policy cites corruption of elected and public officials as a clear and present danger to the country’s development. Senator Charles assured that the ministry is committed to creating a society characterised by trust, transparency and accountability, “and continues to work through various initiatives and with various partners towards the vision of a prosperous Jamaica”.He commended the IIA for staging the event to facilitate discussions on these and other issues.Thursday’s conference was part of activities marking the 76th anniversary of the IIA’s establishment.An internal audit and risk management guidance-setting body, headquartered in Florida, United States, the IIA is the internal audit’s largest professional organisation, serving 185,000 members in nearly 190 countries.It has 80,000 members in 13 countries in North America and the Caribbean.The local chapter, which was formed in 1994, is the largest in the Caribbean.