[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":269},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-basel-institute-at-upcoming-events-and-conferences-436":3,"news-basel-institute-at-upcoming-events-and-conferences-436-similar":30,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":264},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":15,"activity":16,"nid":18,"topics":19,"activities":20,"programme":21,"area":21,"websites":22,"language":21,"image":21,"translation_of":21,"countries":24,"tags":25,"authors":26,"images":27,"translations":28,"content":29},9942,"published","2022-05-26T22:57:42.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z","Basel Institute at upcoming events and conferences","News","Staff of the Basel Institute will be at the following upcoming events (among others), either presenting or participating. See you there – or contact us in advance if you’d like to meet up.\n\n*   [B20 Argentina summit](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.b20argentina.info\u002FEvent\u002FEventDetail?eventId=25d86a9d-acab-4130-828f-52a5ac140d16&eventId=25d86a9d-acab-4130-828f-52a5ac140d16), Buenos Aires, 4–5 October 2018. The policy recommendations of the B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force, to which we have contributed, will present their recommendations during the summit.\n*   [2018 International Anti-Corruption Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fiaccseries.org\u002F), Copenhagen, 22–24 October, 2018. Our President Mark Pieth, together with Gemma Aiolfi, will be moderating the High-Level Segment, a closed-door session of ministers and private sector representatives preceding the conference. We will also be hosting an information booth where we will display and distribute our most recent publications.\n*   [International Conference on Financial Crime and Terrorism](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aif.org.my\u002Fevents\u002Fupcoming-events), Kuala Lumpur, 30–31 October, 2018. Gemma Aiolfi, Head of Compliance and Anti-Corruption Collective Action, will be presenting at this annual conference organised by the Asian Institute of Finance.\n*   [Anti-Corruption Collective Action Conference: Evolution to Revolution](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action\u002Fevents\u002F2018-conference), Basel, 14–15 November 2018. Basel Institute experts will be among those presenting at the conference.\n*   International Anti-Corruption Day, Saudi Arabia, 9 December 2018. Gemma Aiolfi will present on Managing Corruption Risks at the invitation of the Saudi National Anti-Corruption Commission.","2018-09-01",[14],"","basel-institute-at-upcoming-events-and-conferences-436",[17],"Events",436,[],[17],null,[23],"Main page",[],[],[],[],[],[],[31,59,83,117,140,161,196,219,242],{"id":32,"body":33,"status":6,"type":10,"date":34,"slug":35,"title":36,"image":37,"countries":38,"topic":39,"activity":42,"tags":45,"nid":46,"topics":47,"activities":48,"authors":49,"images":50,"websites":51,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":52,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":54,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":56,"content":57,"link":58},9582,"The Siemens Integrity Initiative is boosting the Basel Institute’s capacity to promote anti-corruption Collective Action with an additional USD 3.5 million in funding under its “Golden Stretch” round.\n\nThis funding complements an [existing USD 2.86 million project](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-pursues-new-collective-action-project-renewed-funding-siemens-integrity) of our Collective Action team under the Siemens Integrity Initiative, with both projects due to end in 2024. We are delighted to be one of eight organisations to receive the additional funding, which will help us expand our support to more practitioners, governments and companies worldwide.\n\n### Why the Golden Stretch?\n\nCollective Action has emerged as a powerful way to bring together diverse stakeholders from the public and private sectors and civil society to ensure clean business and fair competition.\n\nAs a [recent study](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-03\u002Fmainstreaming_collective_action_-_executive_summary.pdf) by our Collective Action team shows, the concept is now endorsed by numerous governments, international organisations and standard-setters, as well as practised by businesses and civil society representatives worldwide who recognise the benefits of this collaborative approach to fighting corruption.\n\nThe successful expansion of Collective Action is in no small part down to the work of the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fnew.siemens.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fen\u002Fcompany\u002Fsustainability\u002Fcompliance\u002Fcollective-action.html), which has supported 85 Collective Action projects across more than 50 countries with three funding rounds and the Golden Stretch Round since 2009. The total funding commitment has increased from $100 million to nearly $120 million.  \n\nThe Golden Stretch will help to ensure that the achievements are sustained and the concept of Collective Action continues to grow and spread.\n\n### A growing community\n\nThe Basel Institute, which was founded in 2003 partly with the [aim of promoting Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action\u002Ffaqs-collective-action) against corruption, has been part of the Siemens Integrity Initiative community since the first funding round. Among many other achievements, the funding has enabled us to develop the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub), a global go-to centre for resources and guidance on anti-corruption Collective Action, as well as build a strong community of practitioners through a series of international [conferences](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fevents) and workshops.\n\nThe adoption by several governments of the [High Level Reporting Mechanism](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhrlm), a novel clean procurement mechanism developed and jointly promoted by the Basel Institute and the OECD with Siemens Integrity Initiative support, is another key achievement under our collaboration so far.\n\nA current series of roundtables exploring [synergies in human rights and anti-corruption compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhuman-rights) is seeing widespread resonance in the private sector, demonstrating the power of Collective Action to drive responsible and sustainable business beyond anti-corruption.\n\n### What to look out for at the Basel Institute\n\nThe new project will leverage our broad experience to mentor and support current and upcoming Collective Action leaders, as well as showcase the wide applicability of Collective Action to anti-corruption and related sustainable development goals. The B20 Collective Action Hub will be enhanced with online courses and a virtual help desk.\n\nWe will also multiply our strategic efforts to [mainstream Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fmainstreaming-collective-action-establishing-baseline), helping to embed the practice as a global compliance norm. We have already made significant inroads in this strategy under the current Siemens Integrity Initiative project, with strong endorsements of [Collective Action issued by the B20](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-support-b20-italy-integrity-and-compliance-task-force-network-partner) Saudi Arabia in 2020 and in the Political Declaration of the Special Session of the UN General Assembly against Corruption ([UNGASS 2021](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002FUNGASS21)).\n\nLook out for announcements of our forthcoming conference in 2022 – and more – by following our Collective Action team on [Twitter (@FightBribery)](https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Ffightbribery) and [LinkedIn](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fbasel-institute-collective-action).\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   See the official [press release issued by Siemens AG](https:\u002F\u002Fpress.siemens.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fen\u002Fpressrelease\u002Fsiemens-again-support-international-initiatives-fight-against-corruption) on 7 July 2021.\n*   Learn about our [Collective Action team](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) and see answers to [frequently asked questions](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action\u002Ffaqs-collective-action) in Spanish, French and Portuguese.\n*   Browse the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub) for inspiration and evidence on anti-corruption Collective Action.","2021-07-07","siemens-integrity-initiative-funds-basel-institute-for-golden-stretch-in-promoting-anti-corruption-collective-action-2049","Siemens Integrity Initiative funds Basel Institute for “Golden Stretch” in promoting anti-corruption Collective Action","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa60ebd65-c3c1-47f6-8f43-a97a3690fbee?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[40,41],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[43,44],"Partnerships","Media releases",[],2049,[40,41],[43,44],[],[],[23,40],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2022-05-26T22:52:49.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsiemens-integrity-initiative-funds-basel-institute-for-golden-stretch-in-promoting-anti-corruption-collective-action-2049",{"id":60,"body":61,"status":6,"type":10,"date":62,"slug":63,"title":64,"image":65,"countries":66,"topic":68,"activity":69,"tags":70,"nid":71,"topics":72,"activities":73,"authors":74,"images":75,"websites":76,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":77,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":78,"user_updated":79,"date_updated":80,"content":81,"link":82},10369,"Across Southern Africa, leaders from the business community, civil society and government are coming together to strengthen business integrity and thus catalyse the region's huge economic potential.\n\nThat groundswell of multi-stakeholder action – anti-corruption Collective Action – was on display on 31 May at the [Southern Africa Anti-Corruption Collective Action Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Fsouthern-africa-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum-2023). The Forum marks the emergence of a regional community of practice that will sustain and multiply the efforts of the 66 inspiring professionals present.\n\nHeld in Johannesburg, South Africa, the one-day Forum was organised by the Basel Institute on Governance together with The Ethics Institute and Southern African Anti-Corruption Network (SAACoN). This event was held with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.\n\n### Joint action against corruption\n\nAmong the participants were representatives of businesses and industry associations; governments, including anti-corruption agencies and offices of the ombudsman; and civil society organisations.\n\nHighlights included:\n\n*   A provocative panel on how institutions like the stock exchange can improve corporate governance in a country.\n*   A group reflection on the challenges that anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives encounter in Southern Africa and ways to overcome them.\n*   Whistleblowing in the private and public sectors and changing the culture to one of “speaking up” about corruption.\n*   Breakout sessions on new training or reporting tools and certification opportunities.\n*   A keynote speech by Mosilo Mothepu, a former CEO at Trillian Financial Advisory who blew the whistle on state capture. Her speech, like her book _Uncaptured_, emphasised the challenges of facing endemic corruption and the need to stand together.\n\nThe participants had a preview of the Basel Institute’s new, free Collective Action online training course. Soon to be launched on our virtual learning platform [Basel LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002F), the course takes users through the fundamentals of setting up an anti-corruption Collective Action initiative.\n\n### CoST Uganda wins Collective Action Award\n\n[CoST Uganda](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cost.or.ug\u002F) – the Ugandan arm of the global Infrastructure Transparency Initiative – was presented with a prestigious [Anti-Corruption Collective Action Award](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards) for its outstanding achievements in tackling corruption and raising standards of business integrity in the region. Gilbert Sendugwa, CoST Senior Regional Manager for Africa, commented:\n\n> This Award is not just for CoST Uganda but for the government, private sector and civil society partners that have worked together to increase disclosure and undertake assurance processes to give meaning to disclosed data, and more importantly the government’s commitment to implement recommended reforms. This Award inspires us to continue on this path. \n\nThe other two finalists – the [Fisheries Transparency Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiti.global\u002F) and [MozUp Enterprise Development Center](https:\u002F\u002Fmozup.org\u002F) – were also praised for their untiring efforts to bring business, government and civil society together to address specific corruption challenges in the fisheries sector and among Mozambican small businesses.\n\n### Coming up\n\n*   View recordings of the panels in this [YouTube playlist](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=KV5pwJiWPkY&list=PLYRnhpCcnLP9JtT9ckzzKpdpLcbC7QcGM).\n*   View the [forum summary](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fkey-takeaways-2023-southern-africa-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum).\n*   The regional gathering of anti-corruption leaders builds on the success of the International [Collective Action Conference series](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents) hosted by the Basel Institute on Governance in Switzerland between 2014–2022. Further regional forums will take place in Southeast Asia in late 2023 and in Latin America next year.\n*   See the Basel Institute’s [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Fsouthern-africa-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum-2023) for more information on upcoming events and Collective Action generally, and follow our Collective Action-focused [newsletter](http:\u002F\u002Feepurl.com\u002FiesMvH), [LinkedIn](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fbasel-institute-collective-action\u002F) and [Twitter](https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FFightBribery) accounts.","2023-06-01","community-of-practice-emerges-from-southern-africa-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum-2457","Community of practice emerges from Southern Africa Anti-Corruption Collective Action Forum","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc6babc42-3fc5-4931-8cd8-df4742e2b835?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[67],7180,[40,41],[17],[],2457,[40,41],[17],[],[],[23,40],[],"2023-06-01T16:01:27.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:17:38.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcommunity-of-practice-emerges-from-southern-africa-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum-2457",{"id":84,"body":85,"status":6,"type":10,"date":86,"slug":87,"title":88,"image":89,"countries":90,"topic":91,"activity":94,"tags":99,"nid":107,"topics":108,"activities":109,"authors":110,"images":111,"websites":112,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":113,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":114,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":56,"content":115,"link":116},10281,"Companies and business associations play an important role in preventing and reducing corruption in the markets where they operate – something that governments also want to achieve.\n\nSo how can governments and the private sector work together better to raise standards of integrity and fair business in specific countries and industries?\n\nTo answer this, our Collective Action team has worked with the people on the front lines of governments’ corruption prevent efforts – anti-corruption authorities –  to develop practical guidance with real examples.\n\nPublished today, the [guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fengaging-private-sector-collective-action-against-corruption) was co-developed with members of the Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities ([NCPA](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coe.int\u002Fen\u002Fweb\u002Fcorruption\u002Fncpa-network)), of which the Basel Institute is an [affiliated partner](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fstopping-corruption-before-it-occurs-why-the-basel-institute-has-become-a-partner-to-the-network-of-corruption-prevention-authorities-1751).\n\n### Three avenues, global examples\n\nThe user-friendly guidance document explains how governments and their anti-corruption agencies can engage with the private sector to prevent corruption in three ways:\n\n*   Collaborate and consult on corruption prevention activities in the private sector - by setting up events and platforms, providing advisory support, and engaging the private sector in developing national anti-corruption strategies.\n*   Support and incentivise the private sector to engage in corruption prevention activities and initiatives – by creating tangible business benefits for companies investing in compliance, incentivising companies to externalise their compliance programmes, and supporting compliance certification.\n*   Demonstrate leadership by becoming an active participant in Collective Action - by establishing Collective Action as the go-to approach for engaging with the private sector, implementing integrity tools in public procurement, and fostering compliance in state-owned enterprises.\n\nMany of the members involved in the collaboration are at the forefront of efforts to engage business in anti-corruption activities, often through Collective Action or similar multi-stakeholder approaches.\n\nThe examples they provide cover France, Brazil, Malawi and others.\n\n### Conference discussions – exploring further\n\nThe first panel of our upcoming [International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022) will further explore this crucial topic – the importance of government engagement and support for Collective Action.\n\nThe panel “Tailwind for Collective Action” on 30 June features the Comptroller General of Chile, the Director General of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Mauritius and the International Affairs Officer of the French Anti-Corruption Agency. Moderated by our Head of Compliance and Collective Action Gemma Aiolfi, the panellists will discuss their support for Collective Action and share experiences in translating commitments into action.\n\nThe speakers' experiences, along with the new guidance, will hopefully help governments progress from committing to using Collective Action to prevent corruption to actually using it to its full potential.\n\n### Learn more\n\nDownload the guidance here: [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption](http:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fengaging-private-sector-collective-action-against-corruption)\n\nWe are grateful to the NCPA members who contributed their time and expertise to the discussions and document. We also thank the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fsiemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative) for supporting both the Conference and our participation in developing the guidance with our partners at the NCPA.\n\nThe guidance will be updated on a regular basis to continue the discussion around government and private-sector engagement on issues of corruption. Contact Scarlet Wannenwetsch of our [Collective Action team](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fabout) for more information or to contribute to future editions.","2022-06-16","new-guidance-for-governments-to-engage-business-in-preventing-corruption-2237","New guidance for governments to engage business in preventing corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa723e951-617b-4f48-a194-3287de0cde77?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[40,92,93,41],"HLRM","Integrity Pacts",[95,96,97,98,43],"Research","Reports","Insights","Anti-corruption interventions",[100,104],{"tags_id":101},{"id":102,"name":103},1373,"Corruption prevention",{"tags_id":105},{"id":106,"name":40},909,2237,[40,92,93,41],[95,96,97,98,43],[],[],[23,40],[],"2022-06-16T13:26:50.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-guidance-for-governments-to-engage-business-in-preventing-corruption-2237",{"id":118,"body":119,"status":6,"type":120,"date":121,"slug":122,"title":123,"image":124,"countries":125,"topic":126,"activity":127,"tags":128,"nid":129,"topics":130,"activities":131,"authors":132,"images":134,"websites":135,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":136,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":137,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":8,"content":138,"link":139},10099,"The private sector’s role in combating and preventing corruption continues to be essential and is widely recognized by government, civil society and companies themselves, with the spread of corporate anti-corruption compliance programs in recent years presenting a clear response to the acknowledged responsibility of the private sector. Whilst this is a positive development it is not enough to tackle corruption in particularly challenging markets and sectors. In this regard, Collective Action seeks to further level the playing field through applying concerted, cooperative strategies against corruption.\n\nPrivate sector engagement however in anti-corruption Collective Action has yet to reach its full potential, and is frequently perceived as a new or emerging concept despite years of application and evolution in numerous multi-stakeholder approaches.\n\nAn oft-heard question remains: what is the business case for engagement? What are the benefits of anti-corruption Collective Action to the participants?\n\nA better understanding and communication of these issues and greater application of empirical research-based arguments for Collective Action may help to better convince the private sector of its value. In addition, this may encourage greater government support and recognition of Collective Action. Academics, researchers and evaluation methods clearly have a role to play here.\n\nVirna Di Palma of TRACE International addressed this topic [previously](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Frole-academia-anti-corruption-collective-action) on the International Centre for Collective Action (ICCA) Blog, underscoring the important role of research to improve anti-corruption strategies and policy recommendations. The research support basis for Collective Action will thus be an important topic at the upcoming Collective Action conference hosted by the Basel Institute’s ICCA on October 20-21 in Basel.\n\nThe conference, entitled “[Collective Action: Evidence, Experience and Impact](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action\u002Fevents\u002F2016-conference),” will address the latest in research and practice in Collective Action and business integrity, through a number of high-level panel discussions and interactive sessions that together aim to emphasise the business case for joint engagement against corruption. The preliminary agenda for this 1.5 day event and further information is available on the conference webpage. To support the research component, the ICCA is inviting papers from anti-corruption and compliance practitioners and academics (including graduate students), that assess and provide further insights into anti-corruption Collective Action evidence and impact (10,000 words maximum, excluding annexes). Papers selected for the conference will be published here on the B20 Collective Action Hub and made available to participants during the conference. In addition, authors selected for their work may be given the opportunity to present their paper during the conference and to publish their papers in the Basel Institute on Governance Working Paper Series.\n\nDetailed submission requirements, thematic areas for papers and further information can be found on the conference [website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action\u002Fevents\u002F2016-conference). Those interested in contributing a paper should send a 300 to 500 word abstract by 24 June, 2016, along with full contact information and institutional affiliation.\n\nWhile many actors remain convinced of the validity of Collective Action, the more we know about how corruption operates and where cooperative solutions can most effectively and efficiently tackle it, the better we can tailor Collective Action approaches  that are relevant and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector.","Blog","2016-05-01","strengthening-the-case-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-through-research-263","Strengthening the case for anti-corruption Collective Action through research","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[],[40,41],[17],[],263,[40,41],[17],[133],1306,[],[23,40],[],"2022-05-26T22:58:54.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fstrengthening-the-case-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-through-research-263",{"id":141,"body":142,"status":6,"type":10,"date":143,"slug":144,"title":145,"image":146,"countries":147,"topic":148,"activity":149,"tags":150,"nid":151,"topics":152,"activities":153,"authors":154,"images":155,"websites":156,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":157,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":158,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":56,"content":159,"link":160},10276,"[Collective-action.com](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com) is the new website of the B20 Collective Action Hub, a free resource centre on tools and strategies to prevent corruption and raise standards of business integrity through Collective Action.\n\nSince its establishment nearly 10 years ago, the B20 Collective Action Hub has become the go-to platform for information, ideas and connections to others on anti-corruption Collective Action.\n\n### New look, better features\n\nVisit the all-new website to:\n\n*   Explore tools and approaches that bring multiple stakeholders together to address issues of corruption and fair business, such as Integrity Pacts, High Level Reporting Mechanisms and Certification initiatives.\n*   Get involved in upcoming events like the [Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022) on 30 June or in our Mentoring Programme.\n*   Search a [database](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives) of over 280 Collective Action initiatives in 60+ countries.\n*   Ask questions of our Collective Action team via the free [Helpdesk](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fhelpdesk).\n*   Read top [publications](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications) and [blogs](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews?type=All) on anti-corruption Collective Action.\n\n### The B20 connection\n\nThe Hub remains as vital as it was in 2013, when the B20 group of business leaders mandated the Basel Institute to develop and maintain this online resource centre together with partners.\n\nAs the B20 recognised back then – and [has done consistently over the years](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fb20-g20) – Collective Action is a powerful tool for governments, businesses and civil society to jointly tackle shared problems of corruption and create a fair and attractive environment for business and investment.\n\nForms of Collective Action are now [advocated](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F1863) in various documents and standards by multilateral organisations and others, including the UNODC, OECD, European Union, UN Global Compact, World Bank and World Customs Organization. At least 17 countries now endorse Collective Action in National Anti-Corruption Strategies, from Malawi to the UK. Yet despite these positive signals, there is a lot more that Collective Action can achieve.\n\nThe Hub brings together positive ideas and experiences from Collective Action initiatives in various industries around the world, helping ensure that this vital approach enters the mainstream of anti-corruption compliance.\n\n### A blossoming network\n\nThe B20 Collective Action Hub has developed and expanded over the years thanks to support from our key donors and partners, in particular the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fsiemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative).\n\nThe great variety of Collective Action initiatives that have blossomed around the world in recent years have helped push the needle towards a world where we all work together to raise standards of integrity in business and beyond.\n\nWe take this opportunity to thank all practitioners, professionals and policymakers in the Collective Action community for your efforts in promoting collaborative approaches to address corruption and for sharing your experiences with us all.\n\n[Visit the B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F)\n\n> ### Vote now – Collective Action Awards\n> \n> As the new website is launched, so too is public voting for the [Collective Action Awards](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022\u002Fawards\u002F). These celebrate anti-corruption initiatives in two categories:\n> \n> *   Outstanding Achievement – significant impact in advancing Collective Action as a tool against corruption\n> *   Inspiring Newcomer – emerging initiatives with innovative approaches to Collective Action\n> \n> The winners will be presented with their (non-monetary) awards on 30 June at the 4th International Collective Action Conference. The Conference will see over 200 leading voices in anti-corruption Collective Action join us in Basel from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia. [Vote now.](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022\u002Fawards\u002F)","2022-06-08","new-website-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-learning-and-inspiration-2231","New website for anti-corruption Collective Action learning and inspiration","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fbd2321b8-c87b-4e67-825c-20670c2ed220?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[40,41],[44],[],2231,[40,41],[44],[],[],[23,40],[],"2022-06-08T13:18:54.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-website-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-learning-and-inspiration-2231",{"id":162,"body":163,"status":6,"type":10,"date":164,"slug":165,"title":166,"image":167,"countries":168,"topic":169,"activity":171,"tags":173,"nid":186,"topics":187,"activities":188,"authors":189,"images":190,"websites":191,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":192,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":193,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":56,"content":194,"link":195},9624,"Smart use of technology, concerted cooperation both across and within sectors, and information sharing on risks and risky actors are key to combating the rampant trade in illegal goods, including wildlife, minerals and forest products.\n\nThese were strong takeaways of a virtual discussion on illicit trade and natural resources on hosted by the [OECD](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002F) and [Green Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption) team of the Basel Institute on Governance on 27 January 2021.\n\nAttended by 181 participants, the event featured a varied panel representing law enforcement, regulation, NGOs and the private sector. Clips of the various presentations are available on [this playlist](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP-Ual-E91AOVFugMqDN6z-P).\n\nHere are a few takeaways among the many interesting points raised:\n\n### Two sides of technology\n\nIncreased digitalisation across all sectors has an important role to play in reducing corruption risks as it boosts transparency, information sharing and the efficiency of due diligence checks. These are key benefits of electronic permitting systems such as the ASYCUDA eCITES system.\n\nNotwithstanding, increased digitalisation poses new risks for illicit trade in natural resources. The rise of popular web platforms for trading and advertising has further facilitated the illegal wildlife trade, with NGOs noting a [significant increase](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.traffic.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fprojects-and-approaches\u002Fwildlife-crime\u002Fcybercrime\u002F) in the trade of ivory, pangolin scales and exotic pets on social media platforms.\n\nThis poses new challenges that cannot be solely addressed by law enforcement. It requires the commitment of private companies to implement systems to filter and share usable information on e-commerce activity and other relevant information with law enforcement. Through the [Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.endwildlifetraffickingonline.org\u002F), the major tech companies are making strong progress, but there is a danger of driving more illegal trade into the dark web.\n\n### A shared responsibility\n\nGovernments, regulatory bodies, the private sector and civil society all have a different but important role to play in assessing and mitigating the risk of corruption concerning the licit and illicit trade in natural resources.\n\nFor example, [CITES](https:\u002F\u002Fcites.org\u002Feng) is supporting governments to address corruption risks in wildlife supply chains, including through [guidance documents](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002FWildlife\u002F19-08373_Scaling_Back_Corruption_ebook.pdf) and assistance in developing preventive strategies in line with a [2016 resolution](https:\u002F\u002Fcites.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fdocument\u002FE-Res-17-06_0.pdf) on countering corruption that violates the Convention. A 2019 resolution on [legal acquisition findings](https:\u002F\u002Fcites.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fdocument\u002FE-Res-18-07.pdf) emphasises the requirement to verify the legality of wildlife specimens before authorising their export.\n\nGreater government commitments and clearer regulations would support the efforts of [proactive transport companies](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.maritime-executive.com\u002Fcorporate\u002Fcma-cgm-group-fight-illicit-trafficking-in-protected-species) to prevent their systems being misused for illicit trade in wildlife goods. NGOs can also help companies with information to support risk assessments, internal investigations and training.\n\n### Cooperation across and within sectors\n\nThere needs to be increased cooperation not only between but also within sectors. For law enforcement, this means proactive bilateral and multilateral collaboration on cross-border investigations. Strong platforms for cooperation exist, via INTERPOL as well as between national police forces, customs agencies, coastguards and other authorities. The need now is to use them systematically and proactively.\n\nFor the private sector, areas crying out for collaboration include more harmonised systems to reduce document fraud and the exchange of data regarding blacklisted and red-listed customers. A [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) approach involving an independent third party would mitigate anti-trust risks. Successful initiatives in the private sector include [United for Wildlife](https:\u002F\u002Funitedforwildlife.org\u002F) Transport and Financial Taskforces and the [ROUTES Partnership](https:\u002F\u002Froutespartnership.org\u002F) for the airline industry.\n\nIllicit trade in natural resources has much in common with illicit trade in other goods, such as tobacco, narcotics, weapons or counterfeit medicines and vaccines. Practitioners and companies see many of the same criminal networks, techniques, and investments in logistical and financial capacities. Due diligence and track-and-trace systems implemented to prevent [smuggling of other goods](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pmi-impact.com\u002F) could serve as inspiration and a part of the solution.\n\nAlso crucially, existing tools for addressing corruption and organised crime risks across all areas – such as financial investigation, anti-money laundering, asset recovery, and public-private cooperation – can help turn illicit trade in natural resources into a high-risk, low-reward game. This is the idea behind an October 2020 resolution at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) on [Preventing and combating crimes that affect the environment](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNTOC\u002FCOP\u002FSESSION_10\u002FResolutions\u002FResolution_10_6_-_English.pdf).\n\n### With thanks to our esteemed panel:\n\n*   Piotr Stryszowski, Senior Economist, Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade, OECD (moderator)\n*   Sofie H. Flensborg, Legal Advisor, CITES Secretariat\n*   LCL Christian Tournié, Deputy Head of the Office for European and International Affairs, Central Office for Combating Crimes against the Environment and Public Health, France National Gendarmerie\n*   Crawford Allan, Senior Director Americas and Wildlife Crime, TRAFFIC\n*   Guilhem Isaac Georges, Senior Manager, Sustainability, CMA CGM\n*   Alvise Giustiniani, Vice President of Illicit Trade Prevention, PMI\n\n### More\n\n*   View video clips of the participants on the Corrupting the Environment [playlist on YouTube](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP-Ual-E91AOVFugMqDN6z-P)\n*   [Download the audio version](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-05\u002FHow%20CITES%20is%20addressing%20illicit%20trade%20in%20natural%20resources%20Sofie%20H.%20Flensborg%2C%20CITES.mp3)\n*   Learn more about the OECD-Basel Institute [Corrupting the environment series](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption\u002Fcorrupting-environment) and register now for upcoming events on [mineral supply chains](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.zoom.us\u002Fwebinar\u002Fregister\u002FWN_nHRApB1hSBWXBkVUFZWVVQ) (23 February) and [following the money](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.zoom.us\u002Fwebinar\u002Fregister\u002FWN_Pa5XVdTNQ-2v15BhFlOChg) (17 March).","2021-02-10","combating-the-illicit-trade-in-natural-resources-together-1968","Combating the illicit trade in natural resources together","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F2102956a-9eb5-4f6c-a017-c1caec061e16?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[170],"Green Corruption",[17,172],"Presentations",[174,178,182],{"tags_id":175},{"id":176,"name":177},804,"Natural resources",{"tags_id":179},{"id":180,"name":181},1215,"Illicit financial flows",{"tags_id":183},{"id":184,"name":185},1303,"Environment",1968,[170],[17,172],[],[],[23],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:26.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcombating-the-illicit-trade-in-natural-resources-together-1968",{"id":197,"body":198,"status":6,"type":10,"date":199,"slug":200,"title":201,"image":202,"countries":203,"topic":204,"activity":205,"tags":206,"nid":207,"topics":208,"activities":209,"authors":210,"images":211,"websites":212,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":213,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":214,"user_updated":215,"date_updated":216,"content":217,"link":218},10308,"The rapid expansion of anti-corruption Collective Action is offering businesses, governments and civil society groups powerful ways to enhance business integrity and create fair business conditions. What does Collective Action look like in practice? What benefits does it bring, what is success, and how do you measure it? And what should we expect from each other in these multi-stakeholder initiatives?\n\nA Basel Institute webinar on 19 October 2022 brought together four leading speakers in Collective Action to answer these questions and more from their own hands-on experience. Each represented a different stakeholder group commonly involved in anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives: government, the private sector, civil society and multilateral organisations.\n\nThe panel discussion built on insights from the [4th International Collective Action Conference and Awards](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022) in Basel. The conference summary highlights that our collective goal is the same: creating a clean, fair and sustainable business environment for all. But different stakeholders have very different incentives, contributions and expectations.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s Head of Private Sector [Vanessa Hans](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Fvanessa-hans) moderated the discussion, which is available on [YouTube here](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=xIz3EIAbPXY).\n\n### Collective Action endorsed in key international standards\n\nVitor Geromel of the Anti-Corruption Division of the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the [OECD](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fdaf\u002F) highlighted the OECD’s endorsement of Collective Action in its [2021 Anti-Bribery Recommendation](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Foecd-recommends-anti-corruption-collective-action-in-its-revised-anti-bribery-recommendation-2141).\n\nThe endorsement not only provides inspiration and guidance for those seeking effective ways to prevent and combat bribery through multi-stakeholder collaboration. It also means that the OECD Working Group on Bribery will from now on assess whether and how OECD member countries are incentivising and taking part in anti-corruption Collective Action as part of its rigorous [peer review mechanism](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption\u002Fcountrymonitoringoftheoecdanti-briberyconvention.htm). This is vital in making Collective Action a standard element in anti-corruption compliance and [state-led business integrity strategies](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2199).\n\nThe endorsement also strengthens the OECD’s existing support for multi-stakeholder engagement on anti-corruption, which is built into its peer review process and the development of guidance products and studies.\n\nAn upcoming example is a new toolkit that provides guidance and success stories on the use of Collective Action to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assess and mitigate their bribery risks. The toolkit is set to be released in November at the OECD’s Business Integrity Roundtable, which brings together representatives from the private sector, civil society, public authorities to openly discuss the challenges they face in implementing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.\n\n### Public-private learning and agility\n\nDaniela Santana Silva of the [Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Chile](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.contraloria.cl\u002F), shared her Office’s experiences in [developing Chile’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ceacgr.cl\u002FCEA\u002Fpdf\u002FDISMANTLING_210906.pdf), which endorses Collective Action. The strategy’s development itself involved wide-ranging public consultations to understand the main integrity concerns of all citizen and business groups.\n\nDaniela highlighted significant benefits for government entities, including comptroller generals or supreme audit institutions, engaging with the private sector on anti-corruption. It makes all of us more agile and ready to respond to fast-changing evolutions in how corruption is perpetrated, she said. It boosts information-sharing and results in anti-corruption policies that are more likely to be effective as they take into account everyone’s needs.\n\nShe also pointed to how public and private-sector entities can learn a lot from one another. Some elements of corporate anti-corruption compliance programmes and financial audit models can be replicated in the public sphere. Government-run whistleblowing protection mechanisms may offer lessons for companies seeking to strengthen reporting channels.\n\n### Setting up for success: lessons from Nigeria\n\nSoji Apampa of the [Convention on Business Integrity (CBi)](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbinigeria.com\u002F), a civil society organisation, shared real-life success stories of fighting corruption through Collective Action in Nigeria. His organisation’s collaboration with the [Maritime Anti-Corruption Network](https:\u002F\u002Fmacn.dk\u002F) to reduce bribe demands in Nigeria’s ports won the Basel Institute’s 2021 [Collective Action Award](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022\u002Fawards) for outstanding achievements.\n\nSoji explained how civil society organisations seeking to facilitate Collective Action could set themselves up for success. He stressed the need to make sure that everyone involved with or impacted by the Collective Action should be consulted. This will help you to align the activities of the Collective Action initiative with the interests of the stakeholders, he said, which is crucial to maintain engagement. And it follows that the initiative’s activities and immediate goals have to be narrowly focused – narrow enough to measure change and evaluate success.\n\nOn what is success, Soji stressed the difference between short-term improvements (such as a reduction in reports of bribery demands) and long-term change (such as the government’s inclusion of the initiative’s recommendations in regulations and standard operating procedures). To get there, civil society organisations need to find an issue narrow enough that really matters for stakeholders, get the right partners on side, and present data and evidence that shows the extent of the problem and the benefits of solving it.\n\n### Integrity community: how SMEs benefit from Collective Action\n\nVibeke Lyssand Leirvag, Managing Director of high-end jewellery company [Felicia Designs Ltd.](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.feliciadesign.com\u002Fabout-1), shared insights from her experience as a Norwegian building a 150-strong business in Thailand. SMEs are like small fish in the sea, she said: alone, they’re vulnerable but by joining together they can chase off the sharks.\n\nAs a member of the [Thai Collective Action Against Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1388), Vibeke explained that belonging to such an “integrity” community brings multiple benefits to an SME. It helps company leaders to build ethical values and practices into the company’s DNA, and to demonstrate that even small businesses benefit from operating with integrity.\n\nSharing experiences, accessing training, and learning from both peers and larger companies are invaluable, she said. And engagement in Collection Action, especially when its supported by a [certification](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fcertification) scheme, can open up important access to business opportunities on international markets.\n\nShe urged larger businesses to use innovative Collective Action approaches to strengthen integrity along their supply chains and among the wider SME community. Practical things that really help are clear and easy-to-understand guidance and tools, and hands-on training to help SMEs pass audits and obtain certifications.\n\n### More\n\n*   Watch the webinar on [YouTube](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=xIz3EIAbPXY).\n*   To explore practical resources and a database of Collective Action initiatives, plus get free advice via the Basel Institute’s helpdesk, see the B20 Anti-Corruption Collective Action Hub at [collective-action.com](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F).\n*   To stay up to date with new developments in anti-corruption Collective Action and be notified of job or consulting opportunities, follow [@FightBribery](https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FFightBribery?lang=en) on Twitter and [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fbasel-institute-collective-action) on LinkedIn and sign up to the Basel Institute’s new [Collective Action newsletter](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.us18.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u=533ed2a4eb1d84dcb5c4a06b6&id=e90bd70d33).\n*   The organisers would like to thank the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fnew.siemens.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fen\u002Fcompany\u002Fsustainability\u002Fcompliance\u002Fcollective-action.html) for its support.","2022-10-20","collective-action-set-up-for-success-practical-insights-on-enhancing-business-integrity-through-multi-stakeholder-collaboration-2294","Collective Action set up for success: practical insights on enhancing business integrity through multi-stakeholder collaboration","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F92c4d1e4-1c6c-45ca-83a7-1f51486365ea?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[40,41],[17,97,172],[],2294,[40,41],[17,97,172],[],[],[23,40],[],"2022-10-20T10:01:25.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-04-27T21:01:58.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcollective-action-set-up-for-success-practical-insights-on-enhancing-business-integrity-through-multi-stakeholder-collaboration-2294",{"id":220,"body":221,"status":6,"type":10,"date":222,"slug":223,"title":224,"image":225,"countries":226,"topic":228,"activity":229,"tags":230,"nid":231,"topics":232,"activities":233,"authors":234,"images":235,"websites":236,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":237,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":238,"user_updated":79,"date_updated":239,"content":240,"link":241},10405,"We are pleased to see States embracing the business community in corruption prevention activities in Africa. At a recent anti-corruption conference in Rabat, a new declaration emphasised the importance of the \"involvement of all stakeholders, with a shared vision and an action based on collective mobilisation…”. This language underlies the [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) approach that we at the Basel Institute have long promoted to increase standards of integrity and fair business around the world.\n\nRueben Lifuka, Vice Chair of Transparency International until November 2023, summed it up at the conference:\n\n> Our fight is collective. Corruption is a thief of our future. We need Collective Action to succeed.\n\nIn the context of rapidly growing direct foreign investment in Africa, Collective Action can help to safeguard investments and ensure the economic attractiveness of African countries. It is now recognised across the world as a powerful tool to raise standards of integrity, enhance conditions for fair competition and help to solve systemic issues related to bribery and corruption.\n\n### International conference opens the way\n\nOur Private Sector team participated in the Rabat conference entitled “Twelve years after the Marrakech Declaration: Africa mobilises to strengthen the role of prevention against corruption” from 24–25 October 2023.\n\nCo-organised by the Moroccan Anti-Corruption Authority (INPPLC) and UNODC, the event brought together African heads of anti-corruption agencies, civil society representatives and business associations. Their aim was to better understand common challenges in preventing corruption and how African countries can set a path for steady and sustainable development.\n\n### The Rabat Declaration\n\nTwo days of discussions led to the adoption of the [Rabat Declaration](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inpplc.ma\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002FDocuments\u002FDeclaration%20de%20Rabat%20-%20Vf%20-En.pdf) (also in [French](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inpplc.ma\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002FDocuments\u002FDeclaration%20de%20Rabat%20-%20Version%20finale%20-Fr.pdf)): “Towards reinforcing measures for the prevention of corruption to open up new perspectives on development, equity, and stability”.\n\nThe declaration’s recommendations will be presented at a side event of the upcoming 10th Conference of the States Parties to the UNCAC ([CoSP](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10-special-events\u002F11-december-2023.html)) in Atlanta, U.S. The aim is for the Declaration to be adopted as a United Nations Resolution during the conference.\n\n### Moving towards multi-stakeholder engagement\n\nThe Rabat Declaration is a follow-up to the [Marrakech Declaration](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession4\u002FV1186630e.pdf), which was adopted in 2011 at the 4th CoSP in Morocco. This declaration is the only resolution that has been a permanent agenda item at CoSP since its adoption, with implementation closely monitored by the Secretariat.\n\nHowever, the Marrakech Declaration did not emphasise the private sector’s role in preventing and fighting corruption, referring to the business community only as “other relevant stakeholders”. Ten years later, the Rabat Declaration provides new impetus and explores “new perspectives for the prevention of corruption in the African context”.\n\nWith this, it puts the private sector at centre stage. Recognising that “corruption affects investors’ confidence and the business environment and therefore weighs negatively on the country’s economic attractiveness” the Rabat Declaration sees the private sector as a “leading actor in the efforts of prevention and fight against corruption”.\n\nThere is also a strong emphasis on the role of civil society, with particular reference to the importance of representing youth and women in the decision-making and consultation process. This focus on the private sector and civil society is a welcome advance to ensure responsible and sustainable economic development.\n\n### Leading by example\n\nWe were pleased to see the multi-stakeholder approach to anti-corruption being picked up by the Moroccan Government during the conference, through the INPPLC. Morocco has been increasingly involving the private sector in its anti-corruption efforts, as we discuss in our [Practical Guide](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2280) for anti-corruption agencies in Africa. This is a decisive step in the right direction.\n\nThe Private Sector team is also engaging with INPPLC in the field of Collective Action through a joint initiative with the OECD.\n\nOther conference participants similarly emphasised the importance of the private sector in the fight against corruption, saying for example:\n\n> Africa will receive massive infrastructure investments over the next years. Safeguarding these funds is crucial for the development of the continent. National and international investors need guarantees.\n\n> Respect of international standards, legal predictability and corruption are amongst the top considerations for international investors.\n\n> Corruption is one of the biggest impediments for the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.\n\n> The private sector holds a crucial role in the economic development of Africa. The continent needs investments to support development efforts.","2023-11-21","rabat-declaration-highlights-private-sector-engagement-in-preventing-corruption-2539","Rabat Declaration highlights private-sector engagement in preventing corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa7e0c4f3-8ea0-4735-a3c2-76c911fd893c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[227],7148,[40],[14],[],2539,[40],[],[],[],[23,40],[],"2023-11-21T17:01:29.000Z","2026-05-08T21:11:09.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Frabat-declaration-highlights-private-sector-engagement-in-preventing-corruption-2539",{"id":243,"body":244,"status":6,"type":120,"date":245,"slug":246,"title":247,"image":248,"countries":249,"topic":250,"activity":251,"tags":252,"nid":253,"topics":254,"activities":255,"authors":256,"images":258,"websites":259,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":260,"translation_of":21,"user_created":53,"date_created":261,"user_updated":55,"date_updated":56,"content":262,"link":263},10428,"Business integrity was among the priority topics at the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in December 2023. For the first time ever, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) together with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) hosted a Private Sector Forum in the margins of CoSP10.\n\nServing as a partner of the Forum, the Basel Institute welcomes the UN’s efforts to bring businesses to the table on anti-corruption and business integrity. A [new CoSP10 Resolution](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf) dedicated to the private sector opens opportunities for [Collective Action initiatives](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F), whereby businesses, civil society and governments can jointly engage to implement the international commitments at the national level.\n\n### UN engages with businesses on anti-corruption\n\nIn the two decades since the adoption of the [UNCAC](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002Funcac.html), significant transformations have taken place both for businesses and the environments in which they operate. A growing number of countries have implemented legislation focusing on corporate compliance and the criminalisation of unethical business practices.\n\nGone are the days of tax-deductible bribes. Today, the expectations on businesses from regulators, investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders are higher than ever.\n\nThe private sector has an important role to play in the fight against corruption, contributing significantly to the establishment of transparent, accountable and ethical business environments. As major drivers of economic growth and innovation, private enterprises possess considerable influence and resources that can be harnessed to promote integrity and catalyse positive change.\n\nMeaningful engagement of diverse stakeholders, including from the business community, in multilateral fora like the CoSP, the UN’s major anti-corruption conference, increases transparency and accountability. It can also contribute to more effective policies that reflect the diversity of contexts and challenges faced by businesses worldwide.\n\n### Private sector ready to join new platform for collaboration\n\nThe first ever [Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fbusinessintegrity.unodc.org\u002Fbip\u002Fen\u002Fevents\u002Fprivate-sector-forum.html) at CoSP10 established a new platform for collaboration on business integrity – and the business community was ready to engage.\n\nThe Forum discussed how governments can create enabling frameworks for business integrity through a combination of carrots and sticks, i.e., measures that incentivise compliance while ensuring that misconduct is sanctioned.\n\nDiscussions also drew on insights from an updated [Resource Guide on State Measures for Business Integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fgov\u002Fethics\u002FDRAFT%20FOR%20CONSULTATION_Resource%20Guide%20on%20State%20Measures%20for%20Strengthening%20Business%20Integrity.pdf) that UNODC, UNGC and the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) released prior to the event.\n\nA session moderated by Gretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, showcased how Collective Action initiatives can drive impact to foster more ethical and transparent business environments. Other discussions revolved around joining forces to standardise best practices on anti-corruption in the supply chain, and the role of investors in reinforcing business integrity through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks.\n\nThe Forum showed that there is great appetite from businesses to participate in shaping the global business integrity agenda. In a [call-to-action](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction\u002Fanti-corruption-call-to-action), put forward before the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC and presented to delegates at the CoSP, more than 500 companies from around the world urged governments to intensify anti-corruption efforts worldwide and foster Collective Action in the fight against corruption.\n\n### New CoSP Resolution focuses on private-sector incentives\n\nIt seems that government delegates heard the private sector’s appeal: they agreed on a [new Resolution dedicated to the private sector](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf), tabled by Brazil, Norway and Saudi Arabia.\n\nThe Resolution acknowledges the importance of governments fostering a conducive environment for the private sector to adopt and implement effective integrity measures to prevent and combat corruption.\n\nIt calls upon governments to “develop effective frameworks to provide incentives for the private sector to adopt integrity measures, including codes of conduct” and to “implement robust internal governance and risk management systems for preventing acts of corruption”.\n\nCoSP Resolutions are not binding. However, they set standards for the implementation of the UNCAC and States parties are expected to take action to implement them. In brief, this Resolution covers:\n\n*   Tangible benefits: Governments should consider providing tangible benefits to companies. These might include public recognition and taking a company’s anti-corruption efforts into account in decisions relating to participation in public programmes, such as those related to subsidies, licences, procurement contracts and export credits.\n\n*   Incentives for enforcement: Governments should consider the effectiveness of a company’s compliance programme when holding them liable for corruption. Additionally, the Resolution invites States parties to explore the possibility of providing incentives for companies to voluntarily disclose instances of corruption and cooperate effectively with national law enforcement authorities. Furthermore, it suggests that when employing alternative legal mechanisms, such as settlements or non-trial resolutions, governments should consider offering appropriate incentives for companies entering such procedures to commit to developing or strengthening their anti-corruption compliance programmes.\n\n*   Evaluating compliance programmes: Governments should consider adopting laws, regulations and public policies to adequately evaluate compliance programmes. That includes developing and making publicly available guidelines, methodologies and other evaluation tools.\n\n### What’s new, what’s missing and next steps\n\nThe idea of incentives is not new to the CoSP. Already in 2019, [Resolution 8\u002F6](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8-resolutions.html) encouraged States parties to consider providing appropriate incentives for the effective implementation of anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes or measures. However, this time around, the Resolution gives more concrete examples of what these incentives could look like.\n\nAlso on the plus side, the Resolution enables information exchange by calling for concrete efforts to provide technical assistance and exchange best practices among States. It also directs the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption, a subsidiary body of the CoSP, to discuss incentives for the private sector in its future meeting. This literally puts business integrity on the agenda for the coming years.\n\nIt is encouraging that the focus is not solely on law enforcement but that the Resolution embraces a proactive approach to engaging with the private sector for the prevention of corruption. In this regard, the Resolution can create a space for private sector-driven Collective Action initiatives as well as civil society working with the private sector to engage with governments in their countries on how to best incentivise business integrity on a national level.\n\nHowever, it is a missed opportunity that the idea of incentivising companies’ engagement in Collective Action is not explicitly mentioned. Business engagement in Collective Action can help to level the playing field between competitors and be a game changer for raising integrity standards in industries and markets.\n\nThis September, UNGC will be celebrating 20 years of the [10th principle of the UN Global Compact](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Fwhat-is-gc\u002Fmission\u002Fprinciples\u002Fprinciple-10) committing companies to proactively develop policies and programmes to address corruption internally and within their supply chains. Hopefully, this upcoming anniversary will help to keep up the momentum for business integrity and Collective Action and ensure that governments involve the private sector when putting the recommendations of the Resolution into action.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   The Report on the CoSP10 and Private Sector Forum will be made available on the [CoSP website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10.html).\n*   See our guidance documents on [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for National Anti-Corruption Agencies](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2199\u002F) and [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for anti-corruption agencies in Africa](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2280\u002F)\n*   View [photos from the Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.flickr.com\u002Fphotos\u002Fungc\u002Falbums\u002F72177720313411288\u002F) by the UN Global Compact.","2024-03-06","sticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594","Sticks and carrots: New UN Resolution calls on governments to provide incentives for companies to implement anti-corruption measures","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F92a45106-0661-411c-933b-23c699fbda33?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[40,41],[17,97],[],2594,[40,41],[17,97],[257],1116,[],[23,40],[],"2024-03-06T17:01:30.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594",{"left":265,"top":265,"width":266,"height":266,"rotate":265,"vFlip":267,"hFlip":267,"body":268},0,20,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 10a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H5.612l4.158 3.96a.75.75 0 1 1-1.04 1.08l-5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.08l5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 1 1 1.04 1.08L5.612 9.25H16.25A.75.75 0 0 1 17 10\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\u002F>",1780676421718]