[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":274},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-basel-institute-joins-regional-effort-to-strengthen-security-justice-and-development-in-latin-america-2977":3,"news-basel-institute-joins-regional-effort-to-strengthen-security-justice-and-development-in-latin-america-2977-similar":38,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":269},[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":8,"area":8,"websites":8,"language":21,"image":22,"translation_of":8,"countries":32,"tags":33,"authors":34,"images":35,"translations":36,"content":37},10612,"published","2026-06-04T21:13:42.000Z",null,"Basel Institute joins regional effort to strengthen security, justice and development in Latin America","News","Reducing the economic power of organised crime is essential to improving security, strengthening justice systems and supporting sustainable development across Latin America and the Caribbean. And doing that requires strong and dependable partnerships.\n\nBuilding on more than a decade of support to authorities across the region, the Basel Institute on Governance has formally joined the [Alliance for Security, Justice and Development](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iadb.org\u002Fen\u002Fwho-we-are\u002Ftopics\u002Fmodernization-state\u002Fcitizen-security-and-justice\u002Falliance-security-justice-and-development), a regional initiative led by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).\n\nThe Alliance seeks to strengthen coordinated responses to organised crime in Latin America and the Caribbean through dialogue, cooperation, knowledge exchange and resource mobilisation.\n\n### Supporting the fight against illicit financial flows\n\nFor the Basel Institute and its International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), participation in the Alliance represents a further opportunity to contribute its expertise in financial investigations, asset recovery, international cooperation and public financial management while working alongside governments, international organisations and other partners committed to strengthening security, justice and development across the region.\n\nExecutive Director Elizabeth Andersen signed the declaration formalising the Basel Institute’s participation in the Alliance in Washington, D.C. The signing followed close engagement between senior IDB and Alliance representatives and Oscar Solórzano, Head of ICAR Latin America.\n\n### Strengthening regional cooperation\n\nThe Alliance for Security, Justice and Development is a regional platform for dialogue, cooperation, knowledge exchange and resource mobilisation aimed at preventing and responding to organised crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.\n\nCoordinated by the IDB through its Citizen Security Division, the Alliance currently brings together 23 member states and multiple strategic partners from the international, development and security sectors.\n\nIts work is structured around three strategic pillars:\n\n*   protecting vulnerable communities from organised crime and violence;\n*   strengthening institutional resilience within security and justice systems; and\n*   reducing illicit financial flows and illicit markets to weaken the operational capacity and influence of criminal organisations.\n\n### Bringing expertise in asset recovery and financial investigations\n\nThe Basel Institute will contribute particularly to the third pillar, leaning on the expertise and two decades of experience of its specialised International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR).\n\nElizabeth Andersen stated that the Basel Institute is honoured to participate in such a high-level initiative focused on issues of critical importance for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as for the broader international community.\n\nOscar Solórzano highlighted that the Alliance represents an important opportunity to support countries in strengthening asset recovery systems, international cooperation and institutional capacities against increasingly sophisticated forms of organised crime and illicit economies.\n\n### Building on a decade of support in Latin America\n\nOur participation builds on more than a decade of operational and technical support to authorities across Latin America in areas including financial investigations, asset recovery, international cooperation and – through a dedicated programme – public financial management.\n\nActivities under the Alliance framework are expected to begin in the region in the coming months, with our teams supporting key initiatives and technical workstreams developed through the Alliance in the years ahead.\n\nOur participation reflects our longstanding commitment to helping countries tackle corruption, illicit financial flows and organised crime, and our belief that sustainable impact is achieved through strong partnerships that bring together public authorities, international organisations and practitioners around shared goals.","2026-06-02",[14],"Asset Recovery","basel-institute-joins-regional-effort-to-strengthen-security-justice-and-development-in-latin-america-2977",[17],"Partnerships",2977,[14],[17],"English",{"id":23,"storage":24,"filename_disk":25,"filename_download":26,"title":9,"type":27,"created_on":7,"modified_on":7,"charset":8,"filesize":28,"width":29,"height":30,"duration":8,"embed":8,"description":8,"location":8,"tags":8,"metadata":31,"focal_point_x":8,"focal_point_y":8,"tus_id":8,"tus_data":8,"uploaded_on":7},"da8fdbf2-aea0-4009-8f38-8a04c5d8e964","local","da8fdbf2-aea0-4009-8f38-8a04c5d8e964.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp",21836,800,600,{},[],[],[],[],[],[],[39,79,101,122,144,169,193,220,244],{"id":40,"body":41,"status":6,"type":42,"date":43,"slug":44,"title":45,"image":46,"countries":47,"topic":50,"activity":51,"tags":54,"nid":67,"topics":68,"activities":69,"authors":70,"images":72,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":21,"translations":73,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":75,"user_updated":74,"date_updated":76,"content":77,"link":78},10611,"When states fail to hold corrupt actors to account, ordinary citizens pay the price. Corruption sanctions were born from the idea that no one should be above the law, no matter where they are in the world. In a new Working Paper, Dr Anton Moiseienko explores how these tools have evolved and offers recommendations for their more effective and legitimate use.\n\nHere we share the foreword to his paper by the Basel Institute's Andrew Dornbierer, Head of Policy and Research, International Centre for Asset Recovery.\n\n> ### Foreword\n> \n> Every state has an obligation to investigate and prosecute corruption within their jurisdiction. Unfortunately, many states around the world are not willing to fulfil this responsibility.\n> \n> As a result, the very individuals within these states tasked with serving the public interest are instead given free rein to commit acts that not only serve themselves but also corrode the fabric of the state. And ordinary citizens have no alternative but to endure the ensuing economic and social damage.\n> \n> The development of sanctions tools targeting corruption stemmed from the idea that justice should be universal; that no one in any society around the world should be above the law.\n> \n> They are powerful tools, built on powerful principles. States introducing them understand that unchecked corruption will always suffocate a state’s ability to provide security, fairness and prosperity to its citizens.\n> \n> Comparatively though, corruption sanctions are still an underdeveloped concept and are far from perfect. Only a handful of states have introduced them, and those that have are not often using them to their full potential.\n> \n> They also spark valid concerns surrounding due process. These criticisms shouldn’t be ignored: they offer an insight on how these tools could be further developed and enhanced to ensure that they are more credibly and consistently applied.\n> \n> In his paper, Anton Moiseienko provides an excellent and well-researched overview of how corruption sanctions could be designed and employed to better achieve their potential. He explains how these tools have evolved over the last two decades and how they could be further refined to be more effective and achieve a wider range of impact.\n> \n> Critically, his paper is an indispensable resource for those looking to understand exactly how such sanctions can help states deter, disrupt and debilitate the notoriously corrupt that are unreachable through standard criminal justice tools.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Read Dr Anton Moiseienko’s Working Paper “[Corruption sanctions: What governments need to know](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-62)” for a deeper analysis of the topic and key policy recommendations.\n*   Get a brief introduction to corruption sanctions from our related [Quick Guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fqg43).\n*   Register for our public webinar \"[Corruption sanctions – reaching those beyond the law](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F2968)\" on 18 June 2026, marking the launch of Dr Moiseienko's Working Paper.","Blog","2026-06-03","holding-the-corrupt-to-account-the-promise-and-potential-of-corruption-sanctions-2979","Holding the corrupt to account: the promise and potential of corruption sanctions","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F9f5fad98-9243-40da-98d0-1271edd00df2?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[48,49],7808,7809,[14],[52,53],"Reports","Insights",[55,59,63],{"tags_id":56},{"id":57,"name":58},1227,"Sanctions",{"tags_id":60},{"id":61,"name":62},843,"Asset recovery",{"tags_id":64},{"id":65,"name":66},982,"Anti-corruption",2979,[14],[52,53],[71],1372,[],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2026-06-04T21:13:40.000Z","2026-06-04T21:13:41.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fholding-the-corrupt-to-account-the-promise-and-potential-of-corruption-sanctions-2979",{"id":80,"body":81,"status":6,"type":42,"date":82,"slug":83,"title":84,"image":85,"countries":86,"topic":87,"activity":89,"tags":91,"nid":92,"topics":93,"activities":94,"authors":95,"images":96,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":21,"translations":97,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":98,"user_updated":8,"date_updated":8,"content":99,"link":100},10617,"As the use of virtual assets accelerates worldwide, so too does their appeal to criminal actors looking to move money faster, hide transactions more effectively and stay one step ahead of enforcement authorities.\n\nAnd it’s natural that when people discuss crypto-related crime, the focus is often on governments, regulators, law enforcement agencies and the private sector – crypto exchanges, financial institutions and blockchain intelligence firms.\n\nWhat about international organisations, non-profits, expert networks and professional associations – what role do they play behind the scenes? And how much impact can they really have when it comes to tackling illicit activity involving virtual assets?\n\nThese questions were at the centre of a [webinar](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002FIOs_virtualassets) co-hosted by the Basel Institute on Governance and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The discussion brought together experts from the OSCE, the Basel Institute, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Moldova, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime.\n\nAcross the discussion, speakers kept circling around the same point: the crypto-crime field does not need more vague talk about cooperation or more one-off awareness workshops. It needs practical, sustained and operational forms of support that help investigators, prosecutors and financial intelligence units respond to increasingly sophisticated criminal activity.\n\n### Beyond awareness raising\n\nA recurring theme throughout the discussion was the gap between recognising the problem and building the capability to address it.\n\nSpeakers noted that crypto-related crime evolves faster than most institutions can adapt. Bots on the Telegram messaging app are now providing money-laundering-as-a-service, as one speaker noted by way of example. Criminal actors – and bots – exploit regulatory gaps, fragmented information-sharing systems and uneven levels of expertise across jurisdictions.\n\nAt the same time, many authorities are still in the early stages of developing operational capacity.\n\nThis is where international organisations and networks can play an important role. Not simply by producing guidance documents or organising workshops and conferences – which are necessary but not sufficient – but by helping countries build practical and lasting capabilities.\n\nThe OSCE shared examples from its regional [project on mitigating the money laundering risks of virtual assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002FIOs_virtualassets), which supports participating states across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and Mongolia.\n\nOne example was Moldova’s sectoral national risk assessment on virtual assets. Beyond identifying vulnerabilities, the process helped prompt institutional action and legislative development.\n\nThe OSCE also pointed to measurable operational outcomes linked to its capacity-building support. Institutions supported through the programme, for example, traced more than USD 100 million in illicit crypto assets in 2025 alone.\n\n### Why PowerPoint presentations are not enough\n\nSeveral speakers emphasised that complex investigations involving virtual assets and asset recovery require highly specialised expertise that cannot be built through isolated workshops.\n\nInvestigators need opportunities to apply knowledge in real cases. Financial intelligence units need ongoing mentoring and technical support. Prosecutors need to understand not only the technology itself but also how to present complex digital evidence in court.\n\nThe Basel Institute highlighted the importance of long-term engagement with practitioners. The approach of its [International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery) includes combining case-centered training with hands-on mentoring, operational support on live cases and efforts to foster collaboration between different government agencies and with the private sector.\n\nTogether with highly effective train-the-trainer programmes, the focus is on helping agencies develop capabilities that can evolve alongside changing technologies and criminal methods, rather than delivering isolated workshops.\n\n### Networks that make cooperation operational\n\nThe webinar also challenged the tendency to talk about “international cooperation” in abstract terms. In practice, it’s difficult to develop trusting relationships between individuals and institutions operating in very different legal and cultural contexts, especially where there are language barriers.\n\nIn this environment, organisations such as the OSCE, Basel Institute, UNODC and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime can act as connectors between sectors, jurisdictions and professional communities. They can:\n\n*   help investigators and practitioners exchange expertise and emerging typologies;\n*   create trusted channels for faster information sharing;\n*   connect authorities facing similar challenges across jurisdictions;\n*   support the development of common standards and approaches; and\n*   bridge gaps between public authorities, financial institutions and technical experts\n\nOne example is the Global Coalition’s proposal to develop a framework for sharing illict crypto wallet attribution data between public authorities – a major need, especially for jurisdictions without the resources to purchase multiple blockchain intelligence tools.\n\n### Research and analysis as a basis for action\n\nAnother important thread running through the webinar was the role of research and evidence-based analysis.\n\nAs technologies and criminal typologies evolve rapidly, policymakers and practitioners need reliable analysis rather than hype or speculation. Speakers discussed how international organisations support countries by analysing emerging threats, identifying trends and helping governments design informed legal and operational responses.\n\nSpeakers highlighted several concrete projects, such as UNODC research into [scam compounds](https:\u002F\u002Ftrack.unodc.org\u002Ftrack\u002Fen\u002Ftrack\u002Fresourcehub\u002F2025\u002Finflection_point_global_implications_of_scam_centres_underground_banking_and_illicit_online_marketplaces_in_southeast_asia.html) and cyber-enabled fraud in Southeast Asia and into the links between [cybercrime and corruption](https:\u002F\u002Ftrack.unodc.org\u002Ftrack\u002Fen\u002Ftrack\u002Fresourcehub\u002F2025\u002Fthe_nexus_between_cybercrime_and_corruption.html), and the Global Coalition’s research on links between gaming and crypto-related financial crime.\n\n### A rapidly evolving challenge\n\nThe webinar closed with a discussion on what aspects of collaboration participants would most like to strengthen in the virtual assets space.\n\nWhile perspectives differed, there was broad agreement that current models of cooperation and capacity building are still not moving fast enough to match the pace of technological change and criminal innovation.\n\nIt’s been said many times, but it warrants saying again: As virtual assets continue to evolve at breakneck speed, so too must the international response.\n\nThe discussion demonstrated that international organisations, non-profits and professional networks can have significant impact – particularly when they focus less on rhetoric and more on operational support, sustained partnerships and measurable outcomes.\n\n### Speakers\n\nWith thanks to our moderator, Vera Strobachova-Budway, Head of the Economic Governance Unit, OSCE, and to our excellent speakers:\n\n*   Erlin Agich, Associate Anti-Corruption Officer, OSCE\n*   Valentin Draganel, Deputy Head, Financial Intelligence Unit Moldova\n*   Alexandru Donciu, Specialist, Financial Investigations – Virtual Assets, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Fabrizio Fioroni, AML\u002FCFT Advisor, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)\n*   Michal Gromek, Chair, Digital Assets Task Force, Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   View the recordings: browse the [full playlist](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP8mqlkcvhkC5kNXuX1M7ax4&si=HeEsEW6u_V9OnsCb) or go straight to individual interventions: [Vera Strobachova-Budway](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FPyjFVx3Da1I), [Erlin Agich](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FyxyKjh2qbc0), [Valentin Draganel](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Ffn-P6Q1Q04Y), [Alexandru Donciu](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fi6AoR2bBGGk), [Fabrizio Fioroni](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FJCET83V2nFk) and [Michal Gromek](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fb18ACqpIM64), plus the final [lightning round](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002Fu61VF8rxR5k).\n*   Sign up to the second joint Basel Institute-OSCE webinar on the role of [investigative journalists in tackling crime linked to virtual assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fjournalism_virtualassets), on 2 June 2026.\n*   Read the OSCE’s [Decoding Crypto Crime – A Guide for Law Enforcement](https:\u002F\u002Foceea.osce.org\u002Foceea\u002F587475) in multiple languages.\n*   Learn more about the [OSCE Virtual Assets project](https:\u002F\u002Fprojects.osce.org\u002Fvirtualassets).\n*   Learn about the Global Coalition’s [Digital Asset Task Force](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gcffc.org\u002Fsectors\u002Fdigital-asset-task-force-(datf)) and how you can get involved.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s training opportunities are now open to individuals – learn more about short online courses on [crypto and blockchain compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcrypto-aml-training) and [financial investigations and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fassetrecovery-openenrolment); plus [postgraduate courses on anti-corruption and asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy).","2026-05-19","virtual-assets-real-world-crime-and-the-search-for-effective-responses-2967","Virtual assets, real-world crime and the search for effective responses","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fb16bddc0-613b-402f-baca-77cc9a835cd9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[88,14],"Anti-Money Laundering",[90],"Events",[],2967,[88,14],[90],[],[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:46.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-assets-real-world-crime-and-the-search-for-effective-responses-2967",{"id":102,"body":103,"status":6,"type":10,"date":104,"slug":105,"title":106,"image":107,"countries":108,"topic":109,"activity":110,"tags":112,"nid":113,"topics":114,"activities":115,"authors":116,"images":117,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":21,"translations":118,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":119,"user_updated":8,"date_updated":8,"content":120,"link":121},10620,"The Basel Institute on Governance is expanding its training offer to help more professionals build practical skills in financial investigations and asset recovery.\n\nBuilding on decades of global experience, we are launching new courses for both public-sector practitioners and non-state actors. Our hands-on, case-based training is now accessible to a wider audience than ever before.\n\n### Reaching new audiences\n\nFor the first time, our flagship financial investigations and asset recovery training is available as an open enrolment online course for individual public-sector practitioners.\n\nWe are also expanding our offer for civil society organisations, investigative journalists and other professionals outside government. These groups play a growing role in exposing financial misconduct and supporting accountability.\n\nThe new courses build on the success of our popular [Introduction to blockchain: Crypto investigation and AML compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcrypto-aml-training) course. This course equips participants to tackle the misuse of cryptoassets for financial crime.\n\n### New course for public-sector practitioners\n\nThe [financial investigations and asset recovery online course](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fassetrecovery-openenrolment) is a five-day, instructor-led training for investigators, prosecutors, judges and financial intelligence practitioners.\n\nParticipants work through a realistic case. They apply practical techniques to follow financial leads across jurisdictions, analyse financial flows, gather evidence using open-source intelligence and develop effective investigative strategies.\n\nThe first open-enrolment course will take place from 20–24 July 2026.\n\n### New courses for civil society and journalists\n\nWe are also launching Asset recovery for civil society and journalists, tailored to non-state actors working to uncover corruption and track public funds. This includes private-sector professionals working in compliance or investigations.\n\nTwo formats are available:\n\n*   An [online course for individual participants](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Ffiar_csos), with the first open-enrolment session planned from 2–5 November 2026.\n*   A [tailored training programme for organisations and groups](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcourse-asset-recovery-training-civil-society-and-journalists), delivered on site or virtually.\n\nBoth formats are built around a realistic corruption case. Participants gain hands-on experience in tracing assets, analysing financial information and understanding how asset recovery works in practice.\n\n### Part of a wider learning offer\n\nThese courses complement our broader learning ecosystem.\n\nThis includes [Basel LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-learn), our free eLearning platform, and [Basel STUDY](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy), our academic programmes. Together, they provide flexible pathways for professionals to build and deepen their expertise.\n\n### A proven track record\n\nThe training courses are led by practitioners from the Basel Institute's International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR). Over the past 18 years, ICAR has trained more than 5,800 practitioners from financial intelligence units, law enforcement, prosecuting and judicial authorities in over 138 countries.\n\nAn independent study by Fondazione Safe found that our case-based, \"learning by doing\" approach drives meaningful institutional change and strengthens the effectiveness of efforts to tackle corruption and related crimes. Thierry Ravalomanda, Head of Training at ICAR, explained:\n\n> “We know from experience that practical, skills-based training makes a real difference in the fight against financial crime. By opening up our flagship courses to individual practitioners and expanding our offer for civil society and journalists, we are helping more people develop the tools they need to trace assets, follow the money and support accountability.”\n\nWith these new courses, we aim to make our expertise accessible to a broader community working to prevent, detect and address financial crime.","2026-05-07","new-training-courses-expand-access-to-financial-investigation-and-asset-recovery-skills-2961","New training courses expand access to financial investigation and asset recovery skills","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fd35bd5ef-7211-4d1f-8ff5-4b27afe8aa5c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14],[111],"Training",[],2961,[14],[111],[],[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:49.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-training-courses-expand-access-to-financial-investigation-and-asset-recovery-skills-2961",{"id":123,"body":124,"status":6,"type":42,"date":125,"slug":126,"title":127,"image":128,"countries":129,"topic":130,"activity":131,"tags":133,"nid":134,"topics":135,"activities":136,"authors":137,"images":139,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":21,"translations":140,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":141,"user_updated":74,"date_updated":141,"content":142,"link":143},10622,"In a world that feels increasingly unsettled, with rising concerns over corruption, organised crime and illicit finance, it is encouraging to see that the Basel AML Index does not show global money laundering risks getting worse. The average score across all jurisdictions has even improved slightly – and in today’s climate even a modest hint of progress is worth noting. \n\nStill, we all know that global averages are hardly meaningful. What matters is what people experience in their own countries and regions, where threats like corruption, fraud, environmental crime and drug trafficking continue to evolve fast and affect their everyday lives. \n\nI have spent more than two decades working to strengthen governance and the rule of law around the world, and I have seen firsthand the power of data and evidence to drive change. With respect to complex topics such as corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes, this is no simple task. They are difficult to define, to quantify and to track over time. But unless we make a sincere effort to assess the risks, and acknowledge where the gaps and uncertainties lie, policymakers and practitioners are left working in the dark. \n\nThis is the purpose of the Basel AML Index. It is not a simple score to be copy-pasted into a risk assessment or put out in a press release. It is a tool to explore what lies behind a jurisdiction’s risk profile. Many users rely on the headline Public Edition score, but there is much to be gained by looking deeper. The Expert Edition, free for the public sector, non-profits, academia and the media, and reasonably priced for private firms, gives an overview of all 17 indicators and supports more informed decisions. \n\nLook behind the curtain and you will see that the Basel AML Index recognises that tackling money laundering is not only about laws, regulations and enforcement. It also depends on independent political and legal systems, a free and active media and real accountability in the public sector. These elements are essential to a jurisdiction’s resilience to financial crime, so the Basel AML Index incorporates measures of these as well as other factors more commonly associated with financial crime. \n\nMeasurement alone, however, is not enough; it is just the starting point for progress. That is why the Basel Institute works directly with partner countries to help them understand their risks and strengthen their resilience to money laundering and related financial crimes. We often undertake this work in the context of preparations for Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations or ongoing efforts to leave the FATF grey list.\n\nLast month we welcomed Mozambique’s exit from the grey list after intensive work by our team and other partners to support improvements in the country’s anti-money laundering framework and asset recovery capacity. Similar assistance is underway with other partner countries, and we continue to engage with FATF-style regional bodies such as GAFILAT and ESAAMLG as an active observer member. \n\nIf we can say one thing for sure about the future, it is that financial crime will continue to evolve at speed. But I remain hopeful, because progress in tackling it is possible when decisions are rooted in solid evidence. By shedding light on the underlying factors driving money laundering risks at the jurisdiction level, the Basel AML Index aims to help focus attention and resources where they matter most. \n\n[Explore the Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002F) and [download this year's report](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fbasel-aml-index-2025).","2025-12-08","foreword-to-the-basel-aml-index-2025-report-2898","Foreword to the Basel AML Index 2025 report","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[],[88,14],[132],"Basel AML Index",[],2898,[88,14],[132],[138],1377,[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:51.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fforeword-to-the-basel-aml-index-2025-report-2898",{"id":145,"body":146,"status":6,"type":10,"date":147,"slug":148,"title":149,"image":150,"countries":151,"topic":152,"activity":154,"tags":155,"nid":156,"topics":157,"activities":158,"authors":159,"images":160,"websites":161,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":163,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":164,"user_updated":165,"date_updated":166,"content":167,"link":168},10387,"Senior representatives of the U.S., Ukrainian and Liechtenstein Governments are gathering at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. on 19 September 2023 for a high-level panel on tackling the “Green Corruption” that is destroying our environment. The 1.5-hour event is co-organised by the Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the U.S., the U.S. Department of State, the Wilson Center and the Basel Institute on Governance.\n\nThe event is a unique chance to find out how those at the forefront of fighting corruption and illicit financial flows approach financial crimes linked to environmental degradation.\n\nSpeakers include:\n\n*   Richard Nephew, Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption, U.S. Department of State\n*   Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister, Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine\n*   Andrea Gacki, Director of FinCEN\n*   Himamauli Das, Former Director of FinCEN\n*   Roberto Troya, Senior Vice President for WWF U.S. country offices and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, WWF US\n*   Juhani Grossmann, Team Leader Green Corruption, Basel Institute on Governance\n\nAmbassador Georg Sparber, Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United States, will give the welcoming address. Lauren Herzer Risi, Director of the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Wilson Center, will moderate.\n\nAll are welcome to attend this free event and to join us for post-event refreshments. Live streaming is available for those unable to attend in person.\n\n### The issue\n\nEnvironmental degradation and financial crime are often intricately intertwined. Various international organisations and fora have recognized this complex relationship, including the FATF, the UN General Assembly, the OECD and the G20.\n\nBy identifying and disrupting illicit financial flows, nature crimes such as illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, logging and waste dumping can effectively be tracked, disrupted and prosecuted. Corruption is often an integral part of such criminal practices and should therefore be a focus of the international community in addressing nature crime.\n\nForward-looking Governments and civil society organisations are increasingly designing policy shifts, interventions and programs to address Green Corruption. The United States Government, for example, has provided major funding to strengthen enforcement and prevention efforts in natural resource-rich countries, engage with the FATF on illicit financial flows and use the Lacey Act to prosecute international criminal networks targeting the environment.\n\n### The event\n\nThe event will highlight the “Green Corruption” approach to tackling nature crime, as well as measures taken by Governments, civil society and international actors in response.\n\nThe speakers will explore best practices and concrete examples in fighting Green Corruption and identify ways to strengthen the normative framework in the run-up to the Conference of the States Parties of the UN Convention against Corruption, hosted by the United States in Atlanta, Georgia from 11 to 15 December 2023.\n\nThe panel discussion will look into questions such as:\n\n*   What tools exist to fight illicit financial flows associated with Green Corruption?\n*   What resources do officials, civil society and the business community have to address cases of Green Corruption?\n*   How can prevention, oversight and enforcement be improved?\n*   How can the transition to the green economy be achieved without criminal exploitation of people and the environment, for example when sourcing critical minerals?\n\n### Register and find out more\n\n*   [Register on the Wilson Center web page](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wilsoncenter.org\u002Fevent\u002Fcombatting-green-corruption-fighting-financial-crime-driver-environmental-degradation).\n*   [Download the flyer\u002Finvitation](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2023-08\u002FGreen%20Corruption%20event_PDF%20flyer.pdf).\n*   Learn about the Basel Institute’s [Green Corruption programm](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption)e, established with core funding from the Principality of Liechtenstein and supported by the U.S. Government.","2023-08-31","19-september-a-high-level-conversation-on-fighting-financial-crime-as-a-driver-of-environmental-degradation-2499","19 September: A high-level conversation on fighting financial crime as a driver of environmental degradation","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff5b279f1-7a26-4469-9344-1f616122839c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[153],"Green Corruption",[90],[],2499,[153],[90],[],[],[162],"Main page",[],"2023-08-31T10:01:36.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002F19-september-a-high-level-conversation-on-fighting-financial-crime-as-a-driver-of-environmental-degradation-2499",{"id":170,"body":171,"status":6,"type":10,"date":172,"slug":173,"title":174,"image":175,"countries":176,"topic":178,"activity":180,"tags":182,"nid":183,"topics":184,"activities":185,"authors":186,"images":187,"websites":188,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":189,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":190,"user_updated":165,"date_updated":166,"content":191,"link":192},10498,"We are delighted that our highly successful programme to strengthen public finance management at the regional and local levels in Peru is entering its third four-year phase.\n\nFunded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) since 2013, the [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) aims to improve how public finances are managed and spent at the subnational level and to optimise the delivery of public services to Peruvian citizens.\n\n### Hands-on support, tangible impact\n\nOur office in Lima coordinates an ambitious programme of capacity building and technical assistance, including innovative training initiatives and mentoring by experts based in local and regional government offices.\n\nWith an additional USD 8 million in funding from 2024–2028, the programme will build on its previous achievements in strengthening capacity in relation to procurement, budgeting and risk management processes. These include:\n\n*   Increased efficiency in the programming and execution of public investments, particularly in education and healthcare infrastructure.\n*   Strengthened internal controls and financial management systems at regional and local levels.\n*   Successful implementation of property tax management reforms, significantly boosting local revenue collection.\n*   Notable progress in asset recovery through Peru’s non-conviction based forfeiture law, Extinción de dominio. Drawing on the Basel Institute’s asset recovery expertise, this effort has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in misappropriated public funds and is helping to reduce impunity for corruption.\n\nThe team has also helped to introduce innovative tools to increase efficiency and transparency in public administration – like WhatsApp chatbots for tax collection.\n\nThese [short testimonials](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP_3bkP5LFPtKnbD0HV1M1vy) highlight some of the real impacts our team’s work has had for both the governments and the citizens they serve.\n\n### New biodiversity focus\n\nThe third phase of the programme will continue strengthening these areas, incorporating new strategies and adapting to changing circumstances.\n\nIt will also add a special focus on the monitoring and surveillance of regional conservation areas, including through the use of innovative technologies. This support will help subnational governments to preserve biodiversity and implement sustainable development strategies, aligning with Peru’s national environmental policies. This complements the work of the Basel Institute’s [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fimproving-public-integrity-peru-how-regional-governments-can-take-lead) in Peru and neighbouring countries that also enjoy rich biodiversity and are home to precious rainforest.\n\nIn addition, the programme specifically seeks to facilitate the implementation of recommendations for Peru to comply with OECD standards on public finance management at the subnational level.\n\n### Launch event\n\nAt the launch event at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence in Lima, high-level diplomats and subnational government leaders gathered to celebrate the programme’s successes so far.\n\nPaul Garnier, Swiss Ambassador to Peru, highlighted the significance of the ongoing collaboration, saying:\n\n> _“__It is very important to maintain a stable economic framework and solid and transparent institutions that generate confidence and allow for the further deepening of economic relations between Peru and Switzerland._ _It is also important to improve the provision of basic services such as health, education and sanitation._ _We hope that the new phase of the Subnational GFP Programme will contribute to sustainable growth and also to poverty reduction__.”_\n\nMassimo Bloch, Director of the Swiss Economic Cooperation - SECO commented:\n\n> “_This_ _third phase of the_ _Programa GFP Subnacional_ _has been designed taking into account the good practices learned, as well as the particular characteristics and needs of each regional or local government._ _On behalf of SECO…__we want to accompany the coordination, effectiveness and implementation of policies that_ _foster_ _sustainable growth and improve public services for citizens._ _Our commitment to Peru is long-term__.”_\n\nCarlos Vargas Mas, Programme Director, remarked:\n\n> _“Our work has proven that technical assistance, when combined with a commitment to transparency and good governance, can create lasting, meaningful improvements for millions of Peruvians. This new phase will further solidify these gains.”_\n\nAmong the distinguished guests at the event were the Director of the Swiss Economic Cooperation - SECO in Peru, Massimo Bloch, the Basel Institute on Governance’s Head of Latin America, Oscar Solórzano, a thematic coordinator of the Programme and former President of Peru’s Fiscal Council, Carlos Oliva, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Betty Sotelo, and the former Minister of Economy and Finance, Miguel Castilla.\n\n### Expanded beneficiaries, alignment with national policies\n\nThe regional government of Loreto and municipality of Maynas are set to join the programme’s 11 existing beneficiaries: the municipalities of Abancay, Cusco, Piura, San Martín (Tarapoto) and Trujillo, as well as the regional governments of Apurímac, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and San Martín.\n\nThe programme will also continue close coordination with relevant state institutions, including the [Public Integrity Secretariat](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ffostering-peer-learning-and-innovation-public-integrity-peru), Ministry of Economy and other relevant Ministries such as health and education, government environmental agencies, prosecutors’ offices and the judiciary.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Download a flyer in [Spanish](http:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-11\u002FProgramaGFP_ES.pdf) or [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-11\u002FProgramaGFP_EN.pdf).\n*   See SECO’s [information sheet](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cooperacionsuiza.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FHoja-informativa-finanza-publicas-SECO-2024.pdf) on Switzerland’s commitment to helping Peru improve public finance management (in Spanish).\n*   Watch a short [video about the programme’s achievements](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=8TtfzpfugP4) in the second phase (in Spanish).\n*   Watch [testimonials from public officials](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP_3bkP5LFPtKnbD0HV1M1vy) telling stories of how the programme has benefited them and the citizens they serve.\n*   View the [Programa GFP Subnacional website](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) and follow the programme on [LinkedIn](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fprograma-gfp-subnacional) and [Facebook](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FGFPsubnacional\u002F).","2024-10-21","swiss-peruvian-public-finance-management-programme-enters-exciting-new-phase-2708","Swiss-Peruvian public finance management programme enters exciting new phase","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff355701d-4d0b-4a0f-a1f3-686436118cb4?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[177],7091,[179],"Public Finance Management",[181,17],"Anti-corruption interventions",[],2708,[179],[181,17],[],[],[162],[],"2024-10-21T10:01:42.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-peruvian-public-finance-management-programme-enters-exciting-new-phase-2708",{"id":194,"body":195,"status":6,"type":42,"date":196,"slug":197,"title":198,"image":199,"countries":200,"topic":204,"activity":207,"tags":208,"nid":209,"topics":210,"activities":211,"authors":212,"images":214,"websites":215,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":216,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":217,"user_updated":165,"date_updated":166,"content":218,"link":219},10317,"_This blog by Liza Young, Project Associate for Collective Action in the Basel Institute’s Private Sector team, draws on her newly published Policy Brief in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpb11) and [French](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpb11-fr) on how anti-corruption Collective Action can help West African coastal states achieve their development potential._\n\nAfrica is estimated to [lose an unbelievable USD 88.6 billion](https:\u002F\u002Functad.org\u002Fnews\u002Fafrica-could-gain-89-billion-annually-curbing-illicit-financial-flows) (3.7% of Africa’s GDP) each year to illicit financial flows, of which corruption is a major component. Rooting out corruption is a collective effort, and the private sector has a major role to play in laying down the foundations for clean business environments and sustainable development.\n\nThat is why [anti-corruption Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) has got so much to offer Africa, and in particular West African coastal states keen to maximise their clear economic potential.\n\nAs the spectrum of Collective Action initiatives is quite large, it allows for innovative measures where governments, companies and civil society organisations (CSOs) can join forces toward a common objective, despite their different perspectives.\n\nThis collaborative approach therefore provides a fertile ground for constructive dialogue between like-minded stakeholders, as well as an opportunity to understand the private sector’s language and reality.\n\n### The voice of civil society\n\nCSOs have an important part to play in bringing Collective Action to the fight against corruption in West Africa. They must continue to initiate, facilitate and engage in Collective Action initiatives to help raise awareness and build bridges. Their presence can bring credibility, independent oversight and accountability to the initiatives.\n\nOur Private Sector team’s latest Policy Brief is based on conversations held with CSOs based in Benin ([Social Watch Benin](http:\u002F\u002Fsocialwatch.bj\u002F)), Ghana ([Ghana Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tighana.org\u002F)), Ivory Coast ([Ivorian Youth Leaders’ Network](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FrijliAnticorruption\u002F)) and Togo ([The Togolese National Agency for Consumers and the Environment](https:\u002F\u002Funcaccoalition.org\u002Fmembers\u002Felections-2022\u002Falliance-nationale-des-consommateurs-et-de-lenvironnement-ance-togo\u002F)). It aims to capture their experiences, challenges and outlook on what the future for Collective Action could hold in the region.\n\nDespite their different backgrounds, they are united on one point: fighting corruption collectively by raising the voice of the private sector is an important step to pave the way for sustainable economic growth.\n\n### Lessons for practitioners\n\nThe representatives from the above CSOs shared some important insights for their counterparts seeking to develop multi-stakeholder initiatives to address corruption in their contexts.\n\nLooking at the big picture, they agreed that anti-corruption Collective Action can play an important role in helping West African coastal states – and other states of course – maximise their economic potential. Bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors with civil society promotes good business along with business integrity.\n\nSecond, they reflected on the important role of civil society in bringing together stakeholders from other sectors to address shared challenges of business integrity and corruption. CSOs can help to trigger and facilitate Collective Action initiatives that fit the economic, political and social context of a given country.\n\nAll interviews mentioned the vital element of trust. To build trust between diverse stakeholders, they advised trying to find a common language and build understanding of the different perspectives of different stakeholders. Establishing platforms for dialogue can help build this trust, they said, but such platforms need a strong facilitator.\n\nLast, many of the CSOs we spoke to live in contexts where anti-corruption laws, institutions and enforcement are not as strong as they could be. In some cases, Collective Action can help to fill gaps in legal frameworks and strengthen implementation. But where legal incentives to resist corruption are weak, CSOs will need to think hard about incentives for different stakeholders to engage. Fair competition, building alliances and shaping self-regulatory standards could all be incentives depending on the context.\n\n### Get involved and connect with like-minded organisations\n\nAnother major point of agreement was that working on anti-corruption can, at times, feel like pushing a stone up a hill. Going at it alone can be disheartening, especially in a context where corruption is still perceived as a way of doing business.\n\nThat is why connecting with other CSOs to exchange and learn from them is important to keep going. It can help build more robust and effective networks and initiatives, especially within a regional context where organisations might be facing similar challenges.\n\nAt a global level, the Basel Institute on Governance is working to build up a Collective Action community through a novel [mentoring programme](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fmentoring-programme\u002F). The Programme is intended for civil society organisations that work with the private sector and other stakeholders in tackling corruption. It offers tailored advice, support and technical assistance from leading experts in anti-corruption compliance and Collective Action, for free.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Read the full Policy Brief in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpb11) and [French](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpb11-fr). It is published by the Basel Institute's Private Sector team with the support of the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fnew.siemens.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fen\u002Fcompany\u002Fsustainability\u002Fcompliance\u002Fcollective-action.html).\n*   To find out what Collective Action initiatives might already exist in your country or region, visit the [B20 Collective Action Hub initiatives database](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives).\n*   A special thanks to all the civil society organisations that agreed to share their experiences in bringing a variety of stakeholders together to fight corruption and level the playing field: Mary Awelana Addah of the [Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tighana.org\u002F); Fabrice A. Kodjo Ebeh of [The Togolese National Agency for Consumers and the Environment (ANCE)](https:\u002F\u002Funcaccoalition.org\u002Fmembers\u002Felections-2022\u002Falliance-nationale-des-consommateurs-et-de-lenvironnement-ance-togo\u002F); Blanche Sonon of [Social Watch Benin](http:\u002F\u002Fsocialwatch.bj\u002F) and Aman Baptiste Ado of the [The Ivorian Youth Leaders’ Network (RIJLI)](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FrijliAnticorruption\u002F).","2022-11-16","collective-action-in-west-african-coastal-states-fighting-corruption-for-sustainable-and-equitable-development-2311","Collective Action in West African coastal states: fighting corruption for sustainable and equitable development","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F22c9083b-4a35-4a30-bed5-9aeb54858713?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[201,202,203],7216,7217,7218,[205,206],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[53],[],2311,[205,206],[53],[213],1153,[],[162,205],[],"2022-11-16T11:01:26.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcollective-action-in-west-african-coastal-states-fighting-corruption-for-sustainable-and-equitable-development-2311",{"id":221,"body":222,"status":6,"type":10,"date":223,"slug":224,"title":225,"image":226,"countries":227,"topic":229,"activity":230,"tags":231,"nid":232,"topics":233,"activities":234,"authors":235,"images":236,"websites":237,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":238,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":239,"user_updated":240,"date_updated":241,"content":242,"link":243},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",[228],7180,[205,206],[90],[],2457,[205,206],[90],[],[],[162,205],[],"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":245,"body":246,"status":6,"type":42,"date":247,"slug":248,"title":249,"image":250,"countries":251,"topic":255,"activity":257,"tags":258,"nid":259,"topics":260,"activities":261,"authors":262,"images":263,"websites":264,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":265,"translation_of":8,"user_created":74,"date_created":266,"user_updated":165,"date_updated":166,"content":267,"link":268},9563,"_A guest blog by Elisabeth Danon, Legal Analyst, OECD Anti-Corruption Division._\n\nHow can governments in South East Europe partner with the vibrant business sector and civil society to help combat corruption?\n\nOECD experts and practitioners shared some novel ideas on this question at a two-day webinar on Collective Action – Building Alliances Against Corruption in South East Europe on 16 and 17 September.\n\nThe event convened the Collective Action community in South East Europe to take stock of the advancement of the project [Fair Market Conditions for Competitiveness in the Adriatic Region](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Finitiatives-database\u002Ffair-market-conditions-competitiveness-adriatic). This project is being conducted under the umbrella of the OECD South East Europe Regional Programme and is supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative.\n\n### Improving business integrity in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia\n\nThe three-year business integrity project aims to promote a level playing field and fair market conditions in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. All three countries have significant potential for strong and sustainable economic development, but are hampered by relatively high levels of perceived corruption.\n\nAmbitioning to be a multi-stakeholder initiative, the project gathers government officials, business representatives, civil society and academia to address country-specific drawbacks by applying international standards. It aims to: \n\n*   raise awareness about OECD standards and good practices of anti-corruption, integrity and fair competition for competitiveness with governments, business and civil society;\n*   build capacity and foster the implementation of concrete OECD recommendations with regard to the transparency and efficiency of anti-corruption and competition authorities; and\n*   promote the latest knowledge on international standards and practices in the area of anti-corruption and integrity for competitiveness in academic curricula.\n\nThe September webinar, which was part of a series of events organised in the context of the project, consisted of a plenary roundtable on _Instruments and Global Lessons for Implementing Collective Action_, and three country-specific roundtables on _Putting Collective Action Into Practice – Factors of Success__._\n\nPolicy practitioners and experts from OECD countries shared practical experiences in implementing policy reforms to strengthen fair competition and combat corruption across the economy and society.\n\nAmong the OECD-supported instruments presented as a way to create a fair and competitive playing field was the [High Level Reporting Mechanism (HLRM)](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhrlm).\n\n### How HLRMs can provide early and pragmatic resolutions to integrity issues\n\nThe HLRM, jointly developed by the OECD and the Basel Institute of Governance, is a reporting mechanism created to effectively address complaints of bribery solicitation and related practices that involve public officials. Upon receipt of a complaint, the HLRM triggers a process of rapid analysis and pragmatic response on the part of a government.\n\nExamples of different contexts can include:\n\n*   public procurement\n*   the issuance of commercial licenses\n*   tax refunds\n*   the release of goods by customs authorities.\n\nThe goal is to restore the status quo before a reported problem escalates further and to allow interactions between public and private stakeholders to proceed smoothly.\n\nThe HLRM can be customised according to the needs and reality of different countries – an essential feature of any Collective Action initiative. Representatives of the public sector, business, civil society and other stakeholders participate in its design and implementation.\n\nThe HLRM anticipates a whole-of-a-society approach to tackling corruption and enhancing public integrity as described in the [2017 OECD Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption\u002Frecommendation-public-integrity.htm). By providing a tool to companies facing solicitation of bribes, the HLRM can also contribute to the fight against foreign bribery, driven at the global level by the [OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption\u002Foecdantibriberyconvention.htm).\n\nTo date, customised models of the HLRM have been deployed in Colombia and Argentina. During the roundtables, experts from the OECD and the Basel Institute on Governance provided insights on those existing models, and how the mechanism could be replicated in Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia, based on the priorities and specifies of each country.\n\nBy supporting Collective Action and implementing a HLRM, governments would be demonstrating their real commitment to the joint fight against corruption and their leadership in efforts to create a fair and clean business environment for all.","2021-09-22","how-collective-action-can-help-improve-business-integrity-in-south-east-europe-2101","How Collective Action can help improve business integrity in South East Europe","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fe7cc2427-74d4-4f32-91bf-ce308a599aca?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[252,253,254],7304,7305,7306,[205,256,206],"HLRM",[90,53,17],[],2101,[205,256,206],[90,53,17],[],[],[162,205],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:32.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-collective-action-can-help-improve-business-integrity-in-south-east-europe-2101",{"left":270,"top":270,"width":271,"height":271,"rotate":270,"vFlip":272,"hFlip":272,"body":273},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>",1780676519380]