The United Nations Development Programme says exposing and limiting corruption in the Pacific is the key to achieving economic development.
Pacific Centre Manager, Garry Wiseman, says transparency of government decision-making is a key factor in a country's attractiveness to investors and is particularly relevant because of the global financial crisis.
Mr Wiseman says secrecy allows corruption to flourish, and the effects of mismanagement to go unobserved and therefore unchecked.
He was speaking as the UNDP highlighted the importance of open government and free access to information as part of International Right to Know Day.
