[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":295},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-basel-institute-seeks-an-executive-director-2629":3,"news-basel-institute-seeks-an-executive-director-2629-similar":40,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":290},[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":17,"topics":18,"activities":19,"programme":20,"area":20,"websites":21,"language":20,"image":23,"translation_of":20,"countries":34,"tags":35,"authors":36,"images":37,"translations":38,"content":39},10443,"published","2024-05-22T10:01:31.000Z","2026-04-27T21:01:52.000Z","Basel Institute seeks an Executive Director","News","After the passing of Gretta Fenner in early April 2024, we are now looking for a new leader.\n\nWe are advertising for a highly skilled and motivated Executive Director with a strong personality, thought leadership and charisma, who has a genuine commitment to the mission and strategy of the Basel Institute and is keen to pursue their implementation and development.\n\n[See full details.](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-05\u002FBasel%20Institute%20Executive%20Director.pdf)\n\nPlease apply by 12 July. Applications will be reviewed thereafter, with the close involvement of the Basel Institute's [Foundation Board](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fgovernance).","2024-05-22",[14],"","basel-institute-seeks-an-executive-director-2629",[14],2629,[],[],null,[22],"Main page",{"id":24,"storage":25,"filename_disk":26,"filename_download":27,"title":9,"type":28,"created_on":29,"modified_on":29,"charset":20,"filesize":30,"width":31,"height":32,"duration":20,"embed":20,"description":20,"location":20,"tags":20,"metadata":33,"focal_point_x":20,"focal_point_y":20,"tus_id":20,"tus_data":20,"uploaded_on":29},"aeb96711-e6e7-4961-90bc-abae30280301","local","aeb96711-e6e7-4961-90bc-abae30280301.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:10:52.000Z",45490,1400,732,{},[],[],[],[],[],[],[41,65,92,118,142,173,205,228,251],{"id":42,"body":43,"status":6,"type":10,"date":44,"slug":45,"title":46,"image":47,"countries":48,"topic":49,"activity":51,"tags":53,"nid":54,"topics":55,"activities":56,"authors":57,"images":58,"websites":20,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":59,"translations":60,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":62,"user_updated":20,"date_updated":20,"content":63,"link":64},10612,"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","basel-institute-joins-regional-effort-to-strengthen-security-justice-and-development-in-latin-america-2977","Basel Institute joins regional effort to strengthen security, justice and development in Latin America","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fda8fdbf2-aea0-4009-8f38-8a04c5d8e964?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[50],"Asset Recovery",[52],"Partnerships",[],2977,[50],[52],[],[],"English",[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2026-06-04T21:13:42.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-joins-regional-effort-to-strengthen-security-justice-and-development-in-latin-america-2977",{"id":66,"body":67,"status":6,"type":10,"date":68,"slug":69,"title":70,"image":71,"countries":72,"topic":74,"activity":75,"tags":78,"nid":79,"topics":80,"activities":82,"authors":83,"images":84,"websites":85,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":86,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":87,"user_updated":88,"date_updated":89,"content":90,"link":91},10267,"The Basel Institute on Governance and the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) are co-organising and participating in several  different workshops at this year’s 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Bangkok, Thailand in November.\n\nOur contribution to the 14th IACC is manifold: we are co-organizing workshops on asset recovery and on repairing social damages our of corruption cases, we are also contributing to workshops on legal remedies for victims of corruption and on governance in the Health Sector. Here is a brief description of these activities:\n\nWorkshop on State and Non-State Actors: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Recovering Stolen Assets\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThis workshop is jointly organised by ICAR and the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative of the World Bank.\n\nThe workshop seeks to describe the roles of the non-state actors in the asset recovery process, and the role of development and law enforcement agencies in fostering international co-operation as envisaged by the UNCAC. It will also present recent innovations aimed at strengthening the capacity of countries to recover and return the proceeds of corruption. The workshop will focus on how to mobilise support for asset recovery initiatives.\n\nIt is expected that the workshop will allow for greater networking amongst relevant stakeholders in building trust to take forward the asset recovery agenda, as well as for investigating the feasibility and possible implementation of new solutions identified during discussions.\n\nDate and time: 11 November 2010, 1730-1930\n\nCoordinators:\n\n*   Pedro Gomes Pereira, Asset Recovery Specialist, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Tim Steele, Senior Governance Specialist, Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative\n\nModerator:\n\n*   Alan Bacarese, Head of Legal and Case Consultancy, Basel Institute on Governance\n\nPanellists:\n\n*   Valentin Zellweger, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland\n*   Robert Palmer, Kleptocracy Campaign, Global Witness\n*   Jesse Wachanga, Jesse Wachanga, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission\n*   Pedro Gomes Pereira, Asset Recovery Specialist, Basel Institute on Governance\n\nMore: [http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Fstate-and-non-state-actors\u002F](http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Fstate-and-non-state-actors\u002F)\n\nFinding the Real Cost of Corruption: How to use the Concept of Social Damage for the Anti-Corruption Struggle\n-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThis workshop is co-organised by The Basel Institute with Transparency International-Americas.\n\nThe panellists will discuss questions around the concept of social damage and how it has been used in measuring damage and defining compensation in corruption cases in the recent past. The case of ALCATEL in Costa Rica will be drawn upon as an example, as well as the Siemens and MAN case from Germany.\n\nThe concept of Social Damage implies that a financial retribution should be made by those found guilty of affecting a society at large to repair the damage caused. It is a quite innovative concept for the anti-corruption struggle but is used already successfully in other areas such as environmental protection. Therefore, at this point it is important to further understand the concept, the mechanisms for its application and their implications for corruption fighting.\n\nDate and time: 12 November 2010, 1500-1700\n\nCoordinators:\n\n*   Manfredo Marroquin, Regional Coordinator for Central America, Transparency International\n*   Andres Hernandez,  Senior Programme Coordinator, Americas Department, Transparency International\n\nModerator:\n\n*   Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair, Poder Ciudadano – TI National Chapter in Argentina, and Member of the TI International Board of Directors\n\nPanellists:\n\n*   Gilberth Calderón Alvarado, Director, Procuraduría de la Ética Pública, Costa Rica.\n*   Joachim Eckert, Presiding Judge Penal Court Munich, Germany\n*   Juanita Olaya, Director, Public and Corporate Governance Basel Institute on Governance, Switzerland\n*   Andrew Feinstein, Former ANC Member of Parliament and activist in the field of corruption and arms trade, South Africa\n\nMore: [http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Ffinding-the-real-cost-of-c...](http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Ffinding-the-real-cost-of-corruption\u002F)\n\nMembers of the Basel Institute also participate in:\n---------------------------------------------------\n\n### Workshop co-organised by Sherpa on Legal Redress for Victims of Corruption\n\nIn many jurisdictions the legal tools for victims’ legal redress are unclear, untested, or even nonexistent - leaving victims little recourse against corrupt officials or those who collude with them.  The ability of victims to initiate civil claims and to participate in criminal proceedings is a crucial counterpart to enforcement by state actors. This is most profoundly true for victims in countries where corruption is systemic and meaningful prosecution is a fiction.\n\nThe workshop on Legal Redress for Victims of Corruption will present corruption cases initiated by civil society.   This workshop will be followed on the 12th by a People’s Empowerment - Special Session that will seek to empower civil society by mapping the current legal landscape and available tools to address trans-national corruption and in which Alan Bacarese will be one of the panellists, sharing his expertise on the BAE case.\n\nDate and time: 11 November 2010, 0900-1100\n\nCoordinators:\n\n*   Maud Pedriel-Vaissaiere, Managing Director, SHERPA\n*   Elizabeth Ryder, Senior Independent Legal Consultant\n\nModerator:\n\n*   Maud Pedriel-Vaissaiere, Managing Director, SHERPA\n\nPanellists:\n\n*   Vijay Anand, President, 5th Pillar\n*   Alan Bacarese, Head of Legal and Case Consultancy, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Juanita Olaya, Director, Public and Corporate Governance Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Edward H. Davis, Lawyer, Astigarraga Davis Law firm\n*   Adetokunbo Mumini, Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project - SERAP\n*   Maud Perdriel Vaissiere, Managing Director, SHERPA\n*   K. Elizabeth Ryder, Senior Legal Consultant\n\nMore: [http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fat-a-glance-day-2\u002F](http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fat-a-glance-day-2\u002F)\n\n### UNDP´s workshop on Improving integrity in the Health Sector - Stories from the field\n\nCorruption reduces access to health services, lowers the quality of health care and diverts resources away from investments in the health sector. Corruption in the health sector impedes efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Corruption and poor governance help explain why increased funding allocations have not necessarily translated into improvements in human development indicators. Success in meeting the health related MDGs will therefore also depend on improved integrity in the health sector.\n\nThis workshop will take an in-depth look at both grand corruption in the pharmaceutical sector and petty corruption that affects the poor in their day-to-day encounters with health service providers. International experts on corruption in the health sector and practitioners from the field will share their experiences in measuring corruption in the health sector and in implementing specific interventions at the national, regional and local level to improve integrity.\n\nThe workshop will highlight success stories in combating corruption in the health sector, raise awareness about the negative effects of corruption in the health sector and explore strategies to reduce grand and petty corruption in the health sector.\n\nDate and time: 12 November 2010, 1730-1930\n\nCoordinator:\n\n*   Samuel De Jaegere – Policy Analyst Anti-Corruption – UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre\n\nModerator:\n\n*   Mohamed Ramzy Ismail – Technical Officer – Division of Health Systems and Services Development – WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean\n\nPanellists:\n\n*   Taryn Vian - Assistant Professor of International Health - Boston University School of Public Health\n*   Chanvit Tharathep - Ministry of Public Health\n*   Eelco Jacobs – PhD Research Associate “Governance of Health Systems” project - Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Sjoerd Postma - Senior Health Specialist – Asian Development Bank\n*   Goodwell Lungu - Executive Director\n\nMore: [http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Fimproving-integrity-in-the...](http:\u002F\u002F14iacc.org\u002Fprogramme\u002Fglobal-challenges\u002Fimproving-integrity-in-the-health-sector\u002F)","2010-11-05","workshops-at-the-14th-international-anti-corruption-conference-in-bangkok-379","Workshops at the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Bangkok","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[73],7774,[50],[76,77],"Events","Presentations",[],379,[81],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[76,77],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:59:38.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:21.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fworkshops-at-the-14th-international-anti-corruption-conference-in-bangkok-379",{"id":93,"body":94,"status":6,"type":10,"date":95,"slug":96,"title":97,"image":98,"countries":99,"topic":101,"activity":103,"tags":105,"nid":106,"topics":107,"activities":108,"authors":109,"images":110,"websites":111,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":112,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":113,"user_updated":114,"date_updated":115,"content":116,"link":117},9884,"The newly established Public Finance Management Experts Network (PFM Experts Network) in Peru met in the capital Lima this week, in yet another demonstration of bottom-up momentum in improving long-term Public Finance Management capacity in Peru.\n\nThe Network is an initiative of the [graduates who completed the Diploma in Management and Public Finances in 2018](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002F186-graduates-through-basel-institute-esan-partnership-peru) with financial support from Switzerland. It is hoped that it will foster dialogue in the management of public finances at the three levels of government, academia and civil society. The initiative, which already has 200 members across Peru, is supported by the [Swiss Cooperation - SECO](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cooperacionsuizaenperu.org.pe\u002Fseco) in Peru and [Basel Institute on Governance - Peru](http:\u002F\u002Fgfpsubnacional.pe\u002F).\n\nIn the words of its members, the Network seeks to be a space for reflection on the challenges and progress made in improving resource allocation and macro-processes around public sector spending. It also seeks to promote concrete and sustained change based on international best practices.\n\nThe meeting brought together the Network’s regional coordinators and experts from the Peruvian regions of Apurímac, Cusco, San Martín, La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura. The discussion was enhanced by the presence of international experts such as Bruno Giussanni, who participated in the production of 43 [Public Expenditure and Accountability (PEFA) evaluation reports](http:\u002F\u002Fgfpsubnacional.pe\u002Fportfolio\u002Fgfp-en-el-peru\u002F), and the director of the PEFA Secretariat, James Kromann, who flew in from the USA.\n\nBruno Giussani expressed his appreciation for the way in which the subnational PEFA assessments, undertaken in 2017, are now being utilised to prepare and execute action plans for Public Finance Management reform in the regions and municipalities in which they were applied. He also – and perhaps more importantly – praised the progress being made to include civil society organisations and other relevant actors to support PFM capacity building at the local level. He sees great potential for this initiative to be replicated in countries around the world.  \n\nFor his part, James Kromann congratulated the vision of the Subnational PFM Programme, which has focused the attention of PFM experts on the specific reforms needed in each region. _\"Knowledge management and innovation are undoubtedly key factors in ensuring strategic resource management and operational efficiency. I congratulate the Swiss Cooperation - SECO forr continuing to emphasise PFM reform as a means to ensure better provision of services to the population,\"_ he said.\n\nThe delegation also held meetings at the Swiss Embassy with the Swiss Cooperation – SECO’s National Programme Officer Jenny Valencia, who praised the initiative. She commented: _“There is so much experience to share in this group of people. The aim is to debate and analyse PFM issues, and ground them in concrete procedures for improving the management of public finances. At SECO, we praise these fine professionals who make up the Network, who are willing to contribute a significant amount of their time and experience for the sustainable development of Peru.”_\n\nThe event was also attended by the Director of the Subnational PFM Program and Manager of the Basel Institute on Governance’s Peru office, Oscar Solórzano. Dr. Solórzano commented on the importance of promoting such a “bottom-up” knowledge network, in which development is focused on people with initiatives to bring real change in decisions and priorities and who have real involvement with the problems in their regions. The activities in Lima were coordinated by the Leader of the Sustainability component of the Subnational PFM Programme, Limberg Chero, who is helping to guide the initiative.\n\nSee the [original news item (in Spanish)](http:\u002F\u002Fgfpsubnacional.pe\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F19\u002Fsuiza-apoya-la-consolidacion-de-red-de-expertos-publicos-en-el-peru\u002F?fbclid=IwAR1o4-6TVvFnyqE1dl8Pfwz_nF5YG3zf4Zt8UlEPeEhksiraLQVRPfTvqEk) and photos from the Network's meeting in Lima.","2019-03-20","swiss-support-for-public-finance-management-experts-network-in-peru-859","Swiss support for Public Finance Management Experts Network in Peru","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa4d117bd-df31-4681-be63-9212f03bbb25?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[100],7496,[102],"Public Finance Management",[52,104],"International cooperation",[],859,[102],[52,104],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:57:04.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-support-for-public-finance-management-experts-network-in-peru-859",{"id":119,"body":120,"status":6,"type":10,"date":121,"slug":122,"title":123,"image":124,"countries":125,"topic":127,"activity":128,"tags":130,"nid":131,"topics":132,"activities":133,"authors":134,"images":135,"websites":136,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":137,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":138,"user_updated":114,"date_updated":139,"content":140,"link":141},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",[126],7091,[102],[129,52],"Anti-corruption interventions",[],2708,[102],[129,52],[],[],[22],[],"2024-10-21T10:01:42.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-peruvian-public-finance-management-programme-enters-exciting-new-phase-2708",{"id":143,"body":144,"status":6,"type":145,"date":146,"slug":147,"title":148,"image":149,"countries":150,"topic":154,"activity":155,"tags":156,"nid":161,"topics":162,"activities":163,"authors":164,"images":166,"websites":167,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":168,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":169,"user_updated":88,"date_updated":170,"content":171,"link":172},9776,"_Opening remarks and a presentation of key concepts by Oscar Solórzano at the side event “Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC” during the eighth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Abu Dhabi, 16-20 December 2019._\n\nLadies and gentlemen, let me please welcome you to the side event “Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC”.\n\nThe title suggests that the purpose of this session is to achieve the goals of the Convention, and specifically articles 43 on international cooperation and 46 on mutual legal assistance (MLA). To achieve the goals of the Convention, it is of course important that States Parties initiate legislative revisions where domestic legislation is not up to standard.\n\nWe would like to talk about something else, however: using domestic legislation to its full extent, approaching legal challenges presented by asset recovery cases with a mindset of \"Yes we can!\"\n\nWhere possible, law enforcement authorities should do whatever is permitted by their domestic law and practice. This means applying underlying concepts in a constructive manner and - in many settings - changing the way foreign MLA requests are received and executed.   \n\nIn the asset recovery field, for instance, consider the practices of authorities charged with the execution of foreign requests related to non-conviction-based confiscation (NCBC) actions. Of course, confiscation laws may differ between the two countries. But differences in legal systems alone are not grounds to refuse MLA. Why? Because the UNCAC policymakers envisioned this situation and introduced a favourability principle: States should interpret the provisions of the Convention in a manner that is most favourable to international cooperation in judicial matters. In order to live up to the favourability principle of UNCAC, States do not need new laws, but rather to explore solutions in the existing legal framework.\n\nFavourability does not mean \"anything goes\". But countries can learn from their peers, and that is what we are hoping to promote this morning. Certain European countries have acquired expertise in enforcing foreign NCBC requests, while acknowledging differences in domestic laws. To prove this, the panel of experts will showcase recent international asset recovery cases between Switzerland and Peru based on NCBC laws.\n\n*   I will start by providing the conceptual perspective of the cases from my experience as Senior Asset Recovery Specialist at the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery.\n*   I will then invite Hamilton Castro, a Peruvian specialised NCBC prosecutor with whom I have worked closely on several important asset recovery cases, to explain through a case presentation why in some scenarios NCBC is the only viable option to recover illicit assets.\n*   Barbara Kammermann, Legal Officer, Division for Mutual Legal Assistance at the Swiss Federal Office of Justice, will then explain what the challenges in that case were and what legal avenues Switzerland used to enforce the Peruvian NCBC request.\n*   Finally, two distinguished practitioners, Markus Busch, Head of Division at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection in Germany and Muthoni Kimani, Director of the Asset Recovery Office in Kenya, will react and present their thoughts on \"favourable\" approaches to NCBC.\n\nEnforcing non-conviction-based confiscation in Europe: can UNCAC provide the plug adapter?\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nIn cases of mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters, law enforcement authorities are often confronted with a variety of legal provisions potentially applicable to a case. A norm of a bilateral MLA treaty and a norm in domestic MLA law may address the same issue. Choosing the solution that is more favourable to the assistance required is the reasoning behind the “favourability principle”.\n\nA coherent interpretation of such fundamental principle means that a refusal of MLA should be a measure of last resort.\n\nIn the UNCAC, favourability is deliberately formulated very broadly so as to enable States Parties to provide MLA to “the widest measure”. One such application of the favourability principle is the granting of MLA when a requesting State seeks to recover illicit assets from a requested State through non-conviction-based confiscation (NCBC).\n\n### Objectives of the panel\n\n*   Advocate for an interpretation of favourability that promotes NCBC as a valid basis to recover ill-gotten assets.\n*   Encourage the introduction of the obligation to “sufficiently explain” the decision of the requested State to refuse MLA on the grounds that NCBC is incompatible with its legal framework.\n*   Pledge for a policy dialogue aiming at revising such a rule or practice so as to meet UNCAC’s standard.\n\nThis presentation is divided in three parts:\n\n*   I will take a “back to the roots” approach to confiscation.\n*   I would then like to introduce a discussion of the “supposed affected rights” in NCBC procedures.\n*   Finally, I would like to convey the lessons learned from international asset recovery efforts involving Peru and Switzerland.\n\n### What is confiscation?\n\nDuring the Middle Ages, confiscation was a widely unpopular measure with the general public as it was often applied for malicious purposes. It was only in the context of the trade in illegal drugs that a wider concept of confiscation was reintroduced: in most countries, confiscation is now considered a reparative measure that only seeks to target illicit wealth. Additional punitive effects and deterrence are not commonplace among the vast majority of States Parties.\n\nAccording to UNCAC, confiscation is the permanent deprivation of assets by a competent authority. Simply put, proceeds of crime must be taken away in order to ensure that \"crime does not pay\".\n\nThe reparative nature of confiscation has important consequences for its procedural treatment in many countries. In common law jurisdictions, as well as a rising number of European and Latin American countries, confiscation is treated as a “civil” measure closer to the “unjust enrichment” of civil law than to a sanction imposed by a criminal court. A direct consequence of this interpretation is that safeguards of criminal procedure, such as the presumption of innocence, do not apply as as confiscation is not considered an accusation in criminal matters. For that reason, it can be ordered in just but simplified procedures.\n\nIn its contemporary interpretation, confiscation is not to be considered a pecuniary sanction. It is certainly neither a civil reparation nor a fine. A civil reparation is based on the concept of harm while a fine is an ordinary criminal sanction.\n\nConfiscation, on the other hand, has its basis in the provenance of the funds derived from the crime. It is said that confiscation in its basic form targets the assets that are the “proceeds” of crime.\n\nAs said, most countries in continental Europe share the reparative conception of confiscation. The constant jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) assessing the scope of individual European States relating to NCBC is very clear in this regard.\n\n### Extinción de dominio\n\nThe Peruvian NCBC law, _extinción de dominio_ law (roughly translated as the extinction of possession) follows the same reasoning as the one exposed in the ECHR caselaw. It is directed against the asset and has a reparative nature. Its essential aim is to take assets linked to crimes out of circulation in a special proceeding directed against objects. In any event, it is not intended to punish the perpetrator of the crimes.\n\nThe main problem with this point of view is that a pure _in rem_ action - directed against objects - is an alien concept to European civil law countries. This concept, imported from the US legal arsenal, enables the use of a completely different procedure governed by civil standards but granting, however, effective procedural rights to the asset holder in a two-fold judicial process. This is particularly important because one of the main arguments to refuse MLA in NCBC is that it affects fundamental rights.\n\nBut what human rights are we talking about? What rights are violated in NCBC? I think it is a valid question that needs special consideration.\n\n### Fundamental rights in play\n\nThe Peruvian extinción de dominio law grants due process and fundamental rights without restriction. They are in fact fundamental principles of this piece of legislation. The asset holder is granted a large number of procedural rights, including:\n\n*   the right to a fair hearing;\n*   the right to inspect the casefile;\n*   the right to provide evidence;\n*   the right to appeal and to a judicial review;\n*   constitutional courts and international human rights tribunals complete the review possibilities of this action.\n\nThe discussion in Europe and Latin America basically revolves around two fundamental rights: the right to property and the protection of procedural guaranties.\n\n#### Property rights\n\nLatin American States have brought innovative understanding to overcome the difficulties linked to the protection of the right to property: property must have a licit origin to deserve the protection of the State and it must be exercised according to social and public interest as imposed by constitution. The first limitation to property arises therefore from the Constitution itself.\n\nLikewise, property rights are not “absolute” in the sense that they can suffer limitations when confronted with other similar or superior interests. This is the case for instance when the State develops more incisive confiscation rules to protect collective interests, which may have an impact in property rights.\n\n#### Procedural rights\n\nA persistent argument is that NCBC procedures do not grant, in general, the same procedural rights as criminal confiscation. For some, NCBC tools circumvent the defences of the criminal proceedings and therefore limit the fundamental rights of the defence.\n\nIn most cases, indeed, the procedural guaranties are modulated according to the nature of the action: reparative and _in rem_. As NCBC targets assets, it does not include a general presumption that the assets under investigation are licit, as it is the case in proceedings against persons.\n\nIn my view this makes perfectly senses as the asset holder’s freedom is not in play, luckily the ECHR and the majority of constitutional courts follow this idea.\n\n_In_ _dubio pro reo_ (literally “the doubt benefits the offender”) is another of the rights inappropriate in NCBC procedure. The prosecution still supports the burden of proof but if a doubt persists regarding the origin of the asset, it does not benefit the asset holder.\n\nIn practice, the burden of proof is lowered to the civil standard of balance of probabilities, which means that the judge decides on the confiscation when he or she thinks that it is more probable that the assets arise from a crime than that they don’t.\n\n### What lessons were learned?\n\n#### NCBC procedures are better placed to recover illicit assets\n\nSeveral interconnected asset recovery cases in Peru show that NCBC procedures are necessary and adequate in certain scenarios. In these Peruvian cases, the criminals (the beneficial owners of the Swiss accounts) intentionally absconded from Peru upon the initiation of the criminal investigation. As the Peruvian Constitution prohibits _in absentia_ trials, it would have been impossible to confiscate through criminal proceedings as a criminal prosecution cannot take place.\n\nIn such scenarios, it is unacceptable to let the criminals knowingly avoid the criminal accusation and enjoy the benefits of their crimes, simply because of old-fashioned legislation or narrow concepts pertaining to confiscation. Favourability must be applied in the Requested State order to overcome such a legal loophole.\n\n#### Impact on MLA\n\nThe success of Peru in these cases heavily relied on the active involvement and support of Swiss authorities. For the cooperation to succeed, the nature of the investigatory or judicial proceeding in the victim country is highly relevant for Switzerland’s ability to cooperate.\n\nIt is therefore important to find common grounds of understanding between requesting and requested States and to jointly decide what is feasible and what is not in terms of international MLA.\n\nWe believe, the adapter plug, the common language among States, is that confiscation is not punitive but a remedial measure. When States want to use NCBC to punish the perpetrators of crime, it becomes a “penalty” – whereupon criminal safeguards apply without any restrictions. NCBC laws must therefore be limited to assets arising from crimes.\n\nIn this respect, Swiss authorities determined that the Peruvian NCBC law complies with Swiss human rights and public order standards. The Swiss Federal Tribunal and the Federal Criminal Court have both confirmed that Switzerland can cooperate with foreign NCBC investigations and is also capable of enforcing the resulting decisions. \n\nLikewise, the European Court of Human Rights, applicable in Switzerland, has repeatedly confirmed that: \"\\[C\\]ommon European and even universal legal standards can be said to exist which encourage the confiscation of property linked to serious criminal offences such as corruption, money laundering, drug offences and so on, without the prior existence of a criminal conviction\".\n\n#### Ensuring a sound implementation of the specialized asset recovery framework\n\nAsset recovery laws cannot translate into investigations, seizures, confiscations and asset restitutions in the absence of proper specialization and implementation. The extinción de dominio law foresees the progressive implementation of a specialized prosecution and court apparatus, with a nation-wide deployment of 22 courts and 3 courts of appeal devoted to NCBC, each with designated specialized judges, prosecutors and investigative police. The specialization is particularly important as it gives the justice operator, particularly judges, the necessary comprehension and experience to decide on actions which are conceptually disconnected from the criminal trial.","Blog","2019-12-19","the-quotfavourabilityquot-principle-uncac039s-plug-adapter-for-enforcement-of-non-conviction-based-confiscation-requests-1046","The \"favourability\" principle - UNCAC's plug adapter for enforcement of non-conviction-based confiscation requests","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fe89af73d-7273-416f-8fb6-ee2c4d123c66?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[151,152,153],7431,7432,7433,[50],[77,104],[157],{"tags_id":158},{"id":159,"name":160},1379,"Non-conviction based forfeiture",1046,[81],[77,104],[165],1248,[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:55:31.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:54.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-quotfavourabilityquot-principle-uncac039s-plug-adapter-for-enforcement-of-non-conviction-based-confiscation-requests-1046",{"id":174,"body":175,"status":6,"type":145,"date":176,"slug":177,"title":178,"image":179,"countries":180,"topic":181,"activity":185,"tags":187,"nid":195,"topics":196,"activities":197,"authors":198,"images":199,"websites":200,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":201,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":202,"user_updated":114,"date_updated":139,"content":203,"link":204},9520,"The [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002F) – an association of 13 global banks that develops frameworks and guidance to manage financial crime risks – became an [independent legal entity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002Farticles\u002Fappointment-new-executive-secretary) in October 2021. Its new home is at the Basel Institute on Governance headquarters in Switzerland.\n\nWe are proud to host what continues to be a ground-breaking Collective Action against financial crime. Our role builds on our support for the Group over the last 21 years, since its first ever meeting at the historic Swiss castle, Château Wolfsberg.\n\nThe Wolfsberg Group’s new Executive Secretary, Alan Ketley, has been involved with the Group for most of his 19-year career in anti-money laundering compliance at European, US and Japanese banks. In this short interview, Alan explains how the Wolfsberg Group evolved, some important ways it has contributed to global financial crime risk management, and its members’ plans for the future.\n\n### The Wolfsberg Group is already an influential voice on the management of financial crime risks in banking – what are the benefits of becoming an independent legal entity?\n\nThe Wolfsberg Group has seen sustained and committed collaboration from the members ever since our first meeting in 2000, even without being a formal entity.\n\nSince publishing our first standard – the Wolfsberg Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Principles for Private Banking, [revised most recently in 2012](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fwb\u002Fpdfs\u002Fwolfsberg-standards\u002F10.%20Wolfsberg-Private-Banking-Prinicples-May-2012.pdf)  – we have issued numerous principles, standards, guidance documents, questionnaires and FAQs on a wide range of topics relevant to know-your-customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML) and counter financing of terrorism (CFT) in the banking sector.\n\nUntil October, the Secretariat function was housed in one of its member banks (first UBS and then HSBC) and Tracy Paradise, of HSBC, provided fantastic leadership as Executive Secretary for 18 years. Yet establishing ourselves as a legal entity creates a more solid, sustainable and independent platform to consolidate our work for the future.\n\nOur new formal independence will help us to continue to act as a credible and authoritative private-sector voice in policy circles, and to strengthen the impact of our guidance on financial crime risk management among the 30,000 or so banks that exist around the world.\n\n### Why did you decide to house your Secretariat at the Basel Institute?\n\nThe Basel Institute is a natural home for the Wolfsberg Group. The Institute’s President Mark Pieth was present at the very first meeting of banks and civil society representatives. Hans-Peter Bauer, a co-founder of the Wolfsberg Group, is a former Board member of the Basel Institute and senior advisor to the Basel AML Index and related matters.\n\nImportantly, the Basel Institute’s [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) team has continued to provide invaluable support and guidance to the Group during the last 21 years, including attending our annual forum and contributing substantively to some of the earlier documents. It has been an especially close relationship in the last few months as the Institute has taken on HR, IT and Finance Department support for the Wolfsberg Group, which has two staff located at the Steinenring office.\n\n### Who is in the Group and how do you interact?\n\nThe Wolfsberg Group represents 13 global banks, as listed on our [website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002F). Those sitting around the table at our quarterly meetings are generally the heads of the banks’ financial crime compliance programmes and their deputies.\n\nThis size and seniority – 26 individuals with strong practical experience and decision-making power, plus the Secretariat – is our sweet spot right now. This is partly for practical reasons. Decisions are consensus-based, and members commit to aligning their own banks’ compliance programmes in accordance with the standards and guidance that we publish.\n\nOn a relationship level, Collective Action is all about trust and open discussion of shared problems, which you can achieve in this kind of collegial environment. Our meetings are always subject to strict competition law guidelines and do not include business staff, vendors, consultants or the press. The publications and comment letters we provide are focused on making financial crime compliance more effective and clearer, as befits an organisation of practitioners developing guidance for other practitioners and providing expert input to regulators and standard setters.\n\n### What achievements stand out over the last 21 years?\n\nIt seems incredible to say this now, with the close public and policy attention on banks and money laundering, and the billions of dollars of resources that banks spend every year on financial crime compliance programmes. But back in 2000, when the Group first met, I believe this was the first time that a group of bank representatives got together and acknowledged the benefit of collaborating to protect themselves and society from financial crime risks, rather than competing on the basis of looser compliance standards.\n\nThe [Collective Action approach](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub) was also innovative back then. It has since become a globally recognised tool to address corruption challenges in and with the private sector, in large part thanks to the Basel Institute’s work in this area. But none of those at Château Wolfsberg thought of it as Collective Action – the members were purely focused on hammering out the Private Banking Principles and did not expect the collaboration to continue after the press conference in Zurich at which they were announced.\n\nBut continuing to interact in a sustained and controlled way over the next 20 years has allowed the Wolfsberg Group to shift the needle in some important matters affecting global financial crime risk management.\n\n### For example?\n\nOne example is our [Trade Finance Principles](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fwb\u002FTrade%20Finance%20Principles%202019.pdf), which outlines the role of financial institutions in managing processes to address financial crime risks associated with trade finance activities. The Principles also aid compliance with sanctions, embargoes and UN requirements on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We have updated these most recently in 2019, in cooperation with the International Chamber of Commerce and Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT). Several countries reference these in their regulations.\n\nAnother is our [Correspondent Banking Due Diligence Questionnaire](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002Fwolfsbergcb) or CBDDQ, the successor to the Wolfsberg AML Questionnaire. This [interview with Financial Crime News](https:\u002F\u002Fthefinancialcrimenews.com\u002Finterview-with-alan-ketley\u002F) explains the history and evolution of the questionnaire, which seeks to harmonise and increase the effectiveness of due diligence in correspondent banking relationships. After a complete update in 2016–18, and the effort and dedication of a standing committee, the questionnaire expanded from 28 to 110 questions. This expansion partly reflects the evolution of financial crime compliance since its first edition in 2004. as well expanding coverage from AML to include sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, and other elements of a financial crime compliance programme.\n\nThe CBDDQ is now widely accepted by policy entities and banks as the de facto industry standard for reasonable (not minimum) due diligence in higher-risk correspondent banking relationships. Its accompanying guidance, FAQs, videos and other training materials provide a useful reference to banks in this area, especially smaller institutions with fewer internal compliance resources.\n\n### How else does the Wolfsberg Group contribute to financial crime risk management?\n\nWe also engage in dialogue with public-sector entities and policymakers. This includes submitting comments on behalf of the Wolfsberg Group to public consultations on changes to financial crime regulation, for example those issued by the Financial Action Task Force, the Financial Stability Board, the EU, UK and FinCEN. Our aim is to ensure that regulations on financial crime are as effective as possible and we have sought to define what “effectiveness” means. Thanks to our industry expertise, we can also identify when new policies might have unintended consequences.\n\nAs an aside, when the Wolfsberg Group first engaged in this form of policy dialogue and consultation (on the risk-based approach in 2004­–2005) it was in fact the first time that the FATF had consulted with the private sector at all.\n\nLooking ahead, financial crimes facing the banking sector have become increasingly complex, and the space is more and more contested. There are still lots of open questions in the financial crime sphere in which the Wolfsberg Group, through our discussions and contributions, can play a highly relevant role.\n\n### What’s on the agenda now?\n\nThe agenda is set by members, so priorities depend on what we are seeing on the ground.\n\nSome topics never go away – correspondent banking and payment transparency continue to require close attention.\n\nThe rise of new payment methods, including virtual assets, is also a hot topic, especially as regards payment service providers that are not regulated the same way as banks. This is not least because of the risk of dirty money flowing from the highly regulated banking sector to differently or unregulated new payment service providers.\n\nEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) topics are also at the forefront of attention these days. The movement of money relating to crimes like trafficking in humans, wildlife, timber, etc., has long been illegal. Many of these problems are complex and really need Collective Action to treat them at source, involving all stakeholders including governments, financial institutions, other private-sector firms and civil society.\n\nThe concept of “effectiveness” is one that Wolfsberg will continue to pursue. This includes continuing efforts to define what it means, and by giving examples of where current practices are overly focused on technical compliance rather than the outcomes. We will also continue to submit responses to competent authorities as they seek to revise their thinking, such as our [response](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfsberg-principles.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fwb\u002FFinCEN%202021.0008%20Comments%20on%20RFI%20for%20modernising%20AML%20CFT%20regulations.pdf) to the US financial intelligence unit (FinCEN)’s request for information on how to modernise the country’s AML\u002FCFT regime.\n\n### Looking ahead\n\nOne question always on the agenda: “What keeps you up at night?” This question helps us keep a forward-looking approach. Criminals who engage in financial crime are smart. They read the same guidance documents and press releases. They pay attention to industry developments and have a strong incentive to evolve fast.\n\nWe believe the Wolfsberg Group, as an independent legal entity, will continue to play an important role in setting standards that help banks to address the risks of financial crime. It will also continue to provide a forum for key regulators to join the dialogue. We all need to keep up with the ongoing evolutions in the financial sector and contribute to building a harmonised, committed approach to financial crime risks.","2022-03-22","collective-action-in-banking-the-wolfsberg-groups-role-in-a-fast-evolving-industry-2202","Collective Action in banking: The Wolfsberg Group’s role in a fast-evolving industry","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F672086dc-b48c-46ef-80e7-bd332cd7a90c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[182,183,184],"Anti-Money Laundering","Collective Action","Private Sector",[186],"Insights",[188,192],{"tags_id":189},{"id":190,"name":191},818,"Anti-money laundering",{"tags_id":193},{"id":194,"name":183},909,2202,[182,183,184],[186],[],[],[22,183],[],"2022-05-26T22:51:54.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcollective-action-in-banking-the-wolfsberg-groups-role-in-a-fast-evolving-industry-2202",{"id":206,"body":207,"status":6,"type":10,"date":208,"slug":209,"title":210,"image":211,"countries":212,"topic":214,"activity":216,"tags":217,"nid":218,"topics":219,"activities":220,"authors":221,"images":222,"websites":223,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":224,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":225,"user_updated":114,"date_updated":139,"content":226,"link":227},10296,"_A guest interview with Bani Bains, Communications Manager at the [Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sustainablenaturalrubber.org\u002F) (GPSNR), for the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F)._\n\n### What does your initiative seek to achieve, and how?\n\nAt the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, of which the Basel Institute on Governance is an NGO member, stakeholders representing all parts of the natural rubber industry come together to find common ground over a similar concern: making their diverse supply chains more sustainable, equitable and fair.\n\nThis is not a straightforward process. Supply chains are like living, breathing organisms – working in complicated, intricate ways to remain high functioning and deliver quality products. And while the heart and the brain may not always see eye-to-eye, one cannot do its job without the other.\n\nSo building consensus takes time, effort and intent across various stakeholder categories – which is why the Collective Action approach is so vital. We hope our story so far demonstrates that investing time and effort in Collective Action brings positive results for all involved.\n\n### How do you go about bringing the natural rubber sector together?\n\nFew people know that six million smallholder farmers produce almost 90 percent of the world’s natural rubber. These are typically based in South-East Asia, with Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia being the biggest producers. Other parts of the world – like India, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire – also produce the commodity.\n\nIn brief, 70 percent of the total rubber produced goes to the tyre industry, which then services other downstream users. Additionally, both producers and processors play a big part in ensuring that the rubber is in the form that is best suited for the various end products.\n\nOur aim at the GPSNR is to operationalise something that is truly multistakeholder and represents everyone in the supply chain in our joint efforts to drive sustainability and equity.\n\nGPSNR is therefore governed by its members’ General Assembly and by an elected executive committee. The executive committee comprises 15 members representing the five membership categories with voting rights. Day-to-day operations are handled by a secretariat headquartered in Singapore, hosted by the [World Business Council for Sustainable Development](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wbcsd.org\u002F). Members participate in GPSNR’s work through working groups.\n\n### What are some key successes so far?\n\nIn about three years of its existence, GPSNR has over 200 members, representing more than 50 percent of global natural rubber demand. All member companies are required to align their natural rubber procurement policies with a [robust policy framework](https:\u002F\u002Fsustainablenaturalrubber.org\u002Fpolicy-framework\u002F).\n\nWe see it as a success in itself that so many diverse representatives from different parts of the supply chain are voluntarily signing up and committing themselves publicly to robust standards. They see the benefits of collaborating with industry peers and riding the wave of change to stay ahead of both industry and civil society’s expectations on sustainability. ZSL, a member that represents the civil society category at GPSNR executive committee, conveys why they participate so actively [in this LinkedIn article](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fpulse\u002Fwhat-next-sustainable-natural-rubber-reflections-gpsnrs-oliver-cupit\u002F?trackingId=zwRm%2BYz3RMqLtwGJRoc86A%3D%3D).\n\nLast year, members also agreed on a set [of reporting requirements](https:\u002F\u002Fsustainablenaturalrubber.org\u002Fgpsnr-reporting-requirements\u002F) and will start the reporting process soon. This will create one core standard for reporting on sustainability data across the industry.\n\nThis year, the platform recently approved a [shared responsibility framework](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.european-rubber-journal.com\u002Farticle\u002F2091740\u002Fgpsnr-members-adopt-shared-responsibility-framework-to-address-inequality) that ensures that the costs of negative externalities are distributed equitably across the value chain. This approach brings the entire industry closer to addressing inequity in a systemic, long-term approach, with well-defined goals and milestones.\n\n### How do you go about building consensus?\n\nAll of these tangible successes, and several others to come, are possible only with some intangible ones: successes that happen when opposing sides find common ground, or when different categories of stakeholders can trust and empathise with each other fully.\n\nThis trust comes through a process of deliberations and debates and is not free of challenges – at GPSNR, we work at this every single day. It requires commitment across members, but most importantly, it requires the space to disagree and voice opinions freely. This space for disagreement as a means to find collaborative solutions is the greatest strength of GPSNR.\n\nTrue to the concept of Collective Action, it makes our initiative truly multi-stakeholder and inclusive.\n\n### Are there any downsides to the approach?\n\nOur focus on deliberation and collaboration makes processes slower. Being slow and steady is no bad thing in itself. Rushed attempts to impose top-down standards on a fragmented industry invariably fail.  \n\nBut as members debate the wording of each question in the reporting requirements, for instance, the world is asking bigger questions of the natural rubber industry, like when we will finally be able to feel confident that their cars and tyres use only rubber sourced from a fully sustainable supply chain.\n\nThe key is to strike a balance between gaining buy-in from all stakeholders and being efficient.\n\n### What practical actions do you take to build trust between stakeholders?\n\nIn the aftermath of the pandemic, finding consensus might be slightly easier, especially as stakeholders can meet in person. At trust-building workshops facilitated by the Basel Institute last month, member participants found certainty in the fact that even if they are on opposing sides of the table sometimes, they are all working towards the same goal of sustainability and equity.\n\nSince building trust is a vital element of all successful Collective Action initiatives, whether these focus primarily on sustainability or integrity, we look forward to learning from others in the Basel Institute’s wider network.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   [Find out more about the GPSNR](https:\u002F\u002Fsustainablenaturalrubber.org\u002F).\n*   Explore resources and tools on [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) as a way to bring stakeholders together to address shared challenges of corruption and sustainability in business.\n*   Learn about the Basel Institute's [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption), which applies anti-corruption tools and approaches to problems of sustainability and environmental conservation.","2022-08-08","why-sustainability-needs-collective-action-an-emerging-success-story-in-natural-rubber-supply-chains-2265","Why sustainability needs Collective Action – an emerging success story in natural rubber supply chains","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fac81ef68-4096-4f5c-839f-fe9c67fee6a1?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[213],7222,[183,215,184],"Green Corruption",[186],[],2265,[183,215,184],[186],[],[],[22,183],[],"2022-08-14T19:46:06.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fwhy-sustainability-needs-collective-action-an-emerging-success-story-in-natural-rubber-supply-chains-2265",{"id":229,"body":230,"status":6,"type":145,"date":231,"slug":232,"title":233,"image":234,"countries":235,"topic":236,"activity":237,"tags":238,"nid":239,"topics":240,"activities":241,"authors":242,"images":243,"websites":244,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":245,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":246,"user_updated":247,"date_updated":248,"content":249,"link":250},9540,"_A guest blog by Bernard O’Donnell, Head of Fraud Investigations at the [European Investment Bank](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eib.org\u002Fen\u002Fabout\u002Faccountability\u002Fanti-fraud\u002Findex.htm) (EIB), and Sabine Zindera, Vice President, Legal and Compliance at Siemens AG and head of the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative)._\n\nWhen companies are sanctioned for wrongdoing, is there a way to turn the punitive sanction into a positive force – not only for those wronged, but for wider business integrity around the world?\n\nThere is. Exhibit number 1 is a settlement agreement signed in 2013 between the EIB and Siemens AG that addresses alleged past violations of the EIB Anti-Fraud Policy (see the [EIB](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eib.org\u002Fen\u002Fpress\u002Fnews\u002Feib-and-siemens-settlement-agreement.htm) and [Siemens](https:\u002F\u002Fnew.siemens.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fen\u002Fcompany\u002Fsustainability\u002Fcompliance\u002Fcollective-action\u002Feib-and-siemens-settlement-agreement.html) press releases).\n\nAs part of the settlement, Siemens committed to provide funds totalling EUR 13.64 million to organisations that support projects or other initiatives that promote good governance and the fight against corruption.\n\nIt was agreed that the money would be disbursed under the umbrella of the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative), a USD 100 million funding mechanism established following a separate agreement that Siemens had reached with the [World Bank](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldbank.org\u002Fen\u002Fnews\u002Fpress-release\u002F2009\u002F07\u002F02\u002Fsiemens-pay-million-fight-fraud-corruption-part-world-bank-group-settlement) in 2009.\n\nNearly a decade on, the EIB has seen the very positive progress that Siemens has made in not only taking appropriate action to remediate past cases of corruption, but also in funding a host of impactful integrity projects around the world. The company is clearly taking an active role in improving the broader situation and has pushed the anti-corruption agenda forward on a local and global level, notably by fostering [Collective Action against corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action).\n\n### Supporting the rise of Collective Action for fair and sustainable business\n\n“Collective Action” in general refers to action taken together by a group of like-minded and\u002For interested parties to try to achieve a common objective. In this case, Siemens committed to fostering the use of Collective Action to promote greater integrity, to level the playing field and to mitigate business risks.\n\nBack then, Collective Action was an innovative idea. Now, it is rapidly becoming part of [mainstream anti-corruption compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-03\u002Fmainstreaming_collective_action_-_executive_summary.pdf) practice, as companies, governments and civil society representatives see the benefits of working together to overcome hurdles to clean business.\n\nIn total, the Siemens Integrity Initiative has supported 85 projects in over 50 countries across the three Funding Rounds and so-called Golden Stretch Round, and increased its committed funding to nearly USD 120 million. All projects are detailed in the Initiative’s [annual reports](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications?topic=All&type=All&country=All&language=All&title=Siemens&external=2), which tell a powerful story about the growing maturity and reach of Collective Action.\n\nCommenting on the Golden Stretch round, of which the Basel Institute is one of the eight organisations [selected for additional funding](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fsiemens-integrity-initiative-funds-basel-institute-golden-stretch-promoting-anti-corruption), Sabine Zindera said:\n\n> In selecting the projects to be supported, we placed particular emphasis on how the sustainability of their activities and results can be ensured beyond 2024, and on how our partners will inspire, support and engage local non-governmental organisations and the public and private sectors through their longstanding networks and institutional standing. We are pleased to again support diverse projects in order to promote fair competition and fight corruption with a portfolio balanced by region and topic.\n\nThe EIB sees the value of Collective Action to combat corruption and agrees that the results are now clear: the projects have been positive for both EIB and Siemens in terms of resolving the past issues relating to the settlement. Globally, they have also had a significant impact in terms of governance and cleaner business.\n\n### Settlements that make sense\n\nSiemens was the first company to set up such a fund as part of a settlement with a multilateral development bank (MDB). Since then, [EIB has signed similar settlement agreements](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eib.org\u002Fen\u002Fabout\u002Faccountability\u002Fanti-fraud\u002Fexclusion\u002Findex.htm) with companies including Volkswagen and, more recently, JSC Nenskra Hydro and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.\n\nAlthough such settlement agreements are not always appropriate, in some cases there may be suitable possibilities to include a sanction that requires the company to make additional efforts and commitments that are not purely monetary.\n\n### Proactive coordination to combat private-sector corruption\n\nThis constructive approach to settlements chimes with the proactive coordination that exists between MDBs in relation to corruption and fraud.\n\nThe six MDBs, including the World Bank and EIB, all share common definitions of fraud and corruption thanks to the 2006 [Uniform Framework for Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.iadb.org\u002Fdocument.cfm?id=37018601). The Framework also introduced [guidelines and principles to conduct investigations](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eib.org\u002Fen\u002Fabout\u002Fdocuments\u002Fifi-anti-corruption-task-force-uniform-framework.htm).\n\nThe MDBs also have [consistent policies on sanctioning](https:\u002F\u002Fidbdocs.iadb.org\u002Fwsdocs\u002Fgetdocument.aspx?docnum=EZSHARE-1138756496-328) those found to have engaged in such wrongdoing, including the [Cross-Debarment Agreement](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.iadb.org\u002Fdocument.cfm?id=35154738) signed in 2010 by the MDBs with the exception of EIB. This enables participating MDBs to mutually recognise certain sanctions imposed by any of the signatory institutions against firms and individuals found to have engaged in prohibited practices.\n\n### The bottom line\n\nThe mid-term review of the Siemens Integrity Initiative (see page 90 onwards in the [2017 Annual Report](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative\u002FReport2017)) concluded that there is “strong evidence” that the Siemens Integrity Initiative-funded Collective Action projects have “achieved their intended short-term results” and made “significant contributions to change within their respective contexts”.\n\nIt is “the passionate and committed work of Integrity Partners and the Siemens Munich Project Office that has helped promote, enhance the visibility of, and contribute to learning on Collective Action, including demonstrating to the private sector that there is a business case for investing in Collective Action”, it continued. In so doing, said the report, “the Integrity Initiative has made valuable contributions to the global fight against corruption”.\n\nThe story is not over yet, and we are all looking forward to seeing the fruits of anti-corruption Collective Action blossom and mature over the coming years. Visit the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub), developed and maintained by the Basel Institute on Governance, for more on Collective Action and ways to get involved.\n\n### _About the authors_\n\n_Bernard O’Donnell is Head of Fraud Investigations at the European Investment Bank (EIB). In his current position, Bernie oversees investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption and other prohibited conduct affecting EIB Group financed projects and activities in collaboration with national law enforcement and prosecution offices, along with the investigation offices of other international financial Institutions and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF._\n\n_Sabine Zindera is Vice President, Legal and Compliance at Siemens AG and head of the Siemens Integrity Initiative. In this role she leads Siemens´ global Collective Action activities, helping to build alliances against corruption to foster clean business and to support fair market conditions. As part of this, she also manages Siemens' relationships with international and non-governmental organisations around the world._","2021-12-06","siemens-and-the-european-investment-bank-fostering-integrity-through-collective-action-and-constructive-settlements-2133","Siemens and the European Investment Bank: Fostering integrity through Collective Action and constructive settlements","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F47ec9765-2a36-4eba-bbc1-252dc4ea4da8?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[183,184],[186,52],[],2133,[183,184],[186,52],[],[],[22,183],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:12.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:00.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsiemens-and-the-european-investment-bank-fostering-integrity-through-collective-action-and-constructive-settlements-2133",{"id":252,"body":253,"status":6,"type":145,"date":254,"slug":255,"title":256,"image":257,"countries":258,"topic":260,"activity":263,"tags":265,"nid":277,"topics":278,"activities":280,"authors":281,"images":284,"websites":20,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":59,"translations":285,"translation_of":20,"user_created":61,"date_created":286,"user_updated":88,"date_updated":287,"content":288,"link":289},10572,"Corruption at border points remains a pressing global issue, threatening not only border integrity but also the health, safety and security of our societies. It enables illicit trafficking, facilitates organised crime and undermines trust in public institutions.\n\nIn our _[Working Paper 58](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-58)_, Saba Kassa and Jacopo Costa examine how corruption facilitates drug trafficking through the port of Rotterdam.\n\nThrough in-depth interviews with stakeholders, a review of judicial cases and desk research, the paper shows how trafficking and corruption strategies are changing in response to strengthened enforcement at border spaces.\n\nIt contributes to the growing body of work that looks at corruption from a systemic viewpoint, analysing the relationships and adaptive capabilities that allow organised crime to thrive.\n\nThe Working Paper was written as part of the [FALCON](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.falcon-horizon.eu\u002F) (Fight Against Large-scale Corruption and Organised Crime Networks) project. The research supports efforts to develop more robust and forward-looking approaches to combat corruption and drug trafficking.\n\nRead the executive summary below.\n\n### Unintended consequences of strengthened enforcement\n\nThis Working Paper examines how corruption facilitates drug trafficking (specifically cocaine) through the port of Rotterdam, looking at the underlying drivers and strategies involved.\n\nLegal trade routes and commercial ports are especially attractive because of the high volumes of cargo, which make it possible to conceal illicit cargo under licit cargo. The spatial complexity of the port of Rotterdam also makes it difficult to fully secure it against criminal activity.\n\nDigging deeper into the facilitating factors of trafficking, the paper finds that, paradoxically, a main driver of rising border corruption is the increased political attention on and resources dedicated to fighting trafficking.\n\nDesk research and stakeholder interviews highlight that as authorities deploy new technology to improve detection, traffickers face more obstacles to operating effectively.\n\nHaving someone on the inside then becomes increasingly important. So, an unintended but important consequence of the strengthened fight against drug trafficking is that corruption becomes even more essential for the operational success of organised crime networks.\n\n### Customs officials are specifically vulnerable\n\nThis study focuses specifically on the role of customs. Tasked with monitoring the import and export of goods, customs officers are important actors in the fight against drug trafficking. However, their role also makes them vulnerable: they have crucial knowledge on processes and procedures, access to systems and discretionary power that can be exploited by criminals.\n\nThe desk research shows that corruption is used strategically to circumvent two important bottlenecks: the container screening and security as cargo enters the port, and the exit of drugs from the port. Traffickers may seek to obtain key information or direct assistance from customs officers.\n\n### Collusion – coercion – infiltration\n\nThese corrupt relationships and the emerging networks between members of crime groups and the customs officials are diverse. Some relationships can be characterised by collusion, where customs officials offer their services or are persuaded to cooperate. This collusion may be opportunistic or targeted.\n\nOther relationships can be characterised by coercion. Customs officials may be lured by financial reward, but this is accompanied by intimidation or the threat of violence to ensure that the officer cooperates and continues to cooperate. Our research highlights that the boundary between collusion and coercion is often blurred.\n\nBeyond collusion and coercion, we also see infiltration, which crosses the boundaries between the criminal, public and private. What emerges is less a matter of individual corruption and more akin to regulatory capture, where the public office position is held by a member of the criminal network.\n\nThe review of the judicial cases shows that bribes involved in these schemes can amount to millions. To hide and use the illicit gains, traffickers rely on money laundering, disguising its source as legitimate. They often enlist the help of family and friends, a trusted inner circle or professional specialists. They may also hide cash at home or invest it in assets and businesses in the Netherlands or abroad.\n\n### Adaptive corruption strategies\n\nA key finding of our research is that the criminal and corruption strategies used to facilitate drug trafficking are highly adaptive. The underlying driver of this adaptability is the unchanging demand for drugs and high profitability of the crime. This pushes traffickers to adopt new strategies to overcome hurdles in supplying the demand.\n\nCorruption strategies adapt in response to new enforcement measures. When control systems are changed and\u002For strengthened, corruption strategies evolve alongside them. This research identifies some key patterns:\n\n*   Stronger detection efforts increase the incentives for corruption.\n*   Evolving systems encourage a similar shift in corruption strategies.\n*   Anti-corruption and anti-trafficking measures may change the profile of those most vulnerable to being co-opted.\n*   The characteristics of corruption can also evolve, from collusion to coercion, to full infiltration of institutions and systems – with blurred lines in between.\n\n### Trafficking strategies evolve, too\n\nTrafficking strategies are similarly adaptive. There have been increased efforts by the port to combat trafficking through enhanced detection and technology. This was initially reflected by increased drug seizures. But since 2024, drugs seizures have declined.\n\nThe research findings provide an explanation for this: As detection strengthens, more drug seizures are made. But what may happen, too, is a response to these new measures. As the risk of detection increases, criminals may adapt their trafficking strategies to overcome the additional hurdles, including:\n\n*   changing concealment strategies; and\n*   changing modes of transport and trafficking routes, including to ports outside of the Netherlands.\n\n### Red flags and risk indicators\n\nThese developments highlight the complexity in understanding the impact of stronger anti-trafficking measures on both corruption and trafficking strategies.\n\nTrafficking and corruption are typically measured by detection, for example, by changes in the volume of drug seizures or the number of public officials caught engaging in corruption.\n\nBut the elephant in the room is that increasingly sophisticated criminal strategies can hide what is really happening. This underscores the need to continuously strengthen our ability to recognise “red flags” of corruption and trafficking. Data-driven tools and refined risk indicators are critical for understanding how crime and corruption strategies are changing.\n\n### A holistic understanding and improved foresight\n\nThe evolving nature of criminal strategies is often likened to a game of chess: enforcement makes a move, and criminal networks adapt. But what now seems to be emerging is more troubling.\n\nWhen barriers to drug trafficking increase while demand remains unchanged, crime and corruption strategies adapt in ways that can deepen their impact on society, leading for example to the hardening of crime and associated violence.\n\nThis makes anticipating how crime may adapt to changing anti-corruption and anti-trafficking strategies critical. Improved foresight and scenario-building capacities will be vital in order to develop more robust enforcement efforts against drug trafficking and mitigate the negative impact on society.\n\nA holistic approach is essential. Addressing corruption as a facilitator of drug trafficking requires a broad view of crime that focuses on understanding vulnerabilities, leveraging data and harnessing collaboration.\n\nThe risk of trafficking routes changing are high, therefore, we must use every tool at our disposal to ensure effective and sustainable enforcement efforts.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Download the full _[Working Paper 58: Corruption as a facilitator of drug trafficking in the port of Rotterdam: Drivers, strategies and implications](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-58)_\n*   View related online workshop for enforcement and research communities: _[Red flags at the frontier: detecting and disrupting border corruption in the EU](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F2844)_, 23 September 2025\n\n### _Acknowledgement and disclaimer_\n\n_FALCON is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Program Grant Agreement ID 101121281. The Basel Institute on Governance, as an associated partner without the right to receive funds directly from the European Research Executive Agency, has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The contents of the Working Paper are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the European Research Executive Agency or SERI._","2025-09-11","how-corruption-helps-drug-traffickers-adapt-to-strengthened-border-enforcement-2848","How corruption helps drug traffickers adapt to strengthened border enforcement","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F13171c8d-1c71-4c6a-9688-3c1ff7b9775a?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[259],7796,[261,262],"Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[264,186],"Research",[266,270,273],{"tags_id":267},{"id":268,"name":269},967,"Organised crime",{"tags_id":271},{"id":106,"name":272},"Corruption risks",{"tags_id":274},{"id":275,"name":276},1374,"Law enforcement",2848,[279],"Prevention Research and Innovation",[264,186],[282,283],1355,1356,[],[],"2025-09-11T16:01:34.000Z","2026-05-07T21:29:57.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-corruption-helps-drug-traffickers-adapt-to-strengthened-border-enforcement-2848",{"left":291,"top":291,"width":292,"height":292,"rotate":291,"vFlip":293,"hFlip":293,"body":294},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>",1780676494884]