[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":277},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-visit-us-at-the-iacc-in-panama-148":3,"news-visit-us-at-the-iacc-in-panama-148-similar":51,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":272},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":15,"nid":17,"topics":18,"activities":19,"programme":20,"area":20,"websites":21,"language":20,"image":20,"translation_of":20,"countries":23,"tags":46,"authors":47,"images":48,"translations":49,"content":50},10050,"published","2022-05-26T22:58:37.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z","Visit us at the IACC in Panama","","From 1 - 4 December 2016 you will find the Basel Institute on Governance at the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Panama City. The IACC is the world’s premier global forum for bringing together heads of state, civil society, the private sector and more to tackle the increasingly sophisticated challenges posed by corruption.\n\nWe will be hosting an information booth where you can obtain copies of our latest publications. Come by and learn more about our current activities and fields of research.\n\nProfessor Mark Pieth, Chairman of the Basel Institute, will be moderating in a practitioner’s workshop panel on “Collective Action as a Game Changer – Private Sector Opportunities in the Fight Against Corruption” on Saturday 3 September.The workshop will take a thorough look at how to overcome lack of trust and other dialogue failures between potential stakeholders in anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives.  The panelists will discuss how civil society, businesses and the public sector can capitalize on opportunities presented by a change in government to signal new forms of sustainable collaboration to tackle corruption challenges collectively, and how successful experiences in Latin America to date are encouraging examples of effective Collective Action endeavours.  \n\nFor more information see website: [http:\u002F\u002Fiaccseries.org\u002Fagenda\u002Ffull-agenda\u002F](http:\u002F\u002Fiaccseries.org\u002Fagenda\u002Ffull-agenda\u002F)","2016-12-29",[10],"visit-us-at-the-iacc-in-panama-148",[16],"Events",148,[],[16],null,[22],"Main page",[24],{"id":25,"news_id":26,"countries_id":40},7612,{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":27,"date_created":7,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":20,"date":12,"topic":29,"slug":14,"activity":30,"nid":17,"topics":31,"activities":32,"programme":20,"area":20,"websites":33,"translation_of":20,"language":20,"countries":34,"tags":35,"authors":36,"images":37,"translations":38,"content":39},"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30",[10],[16],[],[16],[22],[25],[],[],[],[],[],{"id":41,"name":42,"code":43,"latitude":44,"longitude":45},170,"Panama","PA",8.53798,-80.78213,[],[],[],[],[],[52,74,104,128,153,175,205,229,251],{"id":53,"body":54,"status":6,"type":55,"date":56,"slug":57,"title":58,"image":59,"countries":60,"topic":61,"activity":62,"tags":63,"nid":64,"topics":65,"activities":66,"authors":67,"images":68,"websites":69,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":70,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":71,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":8,"content":72,"link":73},9780,"The Basel Institute is looking forward to seeing many of our partners in the fight against corruption at the [8th Session of the Conference of the States Parties](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8.html) to the UNCAC (COSP) in Abu Dhabi from 16–20 December.\n\nIf you're at CoSP, here are some events for your calendar:\n\n*   Friday 20 December, 9am-10am: Our International Centre for Asset Recovery is hosting a side event on [Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fcosp-side-event-living-spirit-articles-43-and-46-uncac). The panel, organised by the Basel Institute's International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) and chaired by Oscar Solórzano, will explore how principles of Articles 43 (international cooperation) and 46 (mutual legal assistance) of the UNCAC can provide answers to countries that are victims of corruption and seeking to recover assets through non-conviction-based confiscation. See [full details and the concept note here](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fcosp-side-event-living-spirit-articles-43-and-46-uncac).\n*   Tuesday 17 December, 9am-10am: Our Managing Director Gretta Fenner will be a discussant in the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) Day – Opening & High-Level Conversation on Asset Recovery: achievements, challenges and the road ahead.\n*   Thursday, 19 December, 5pm-6pm: Gretta Fenner is a panellist in a side event on \"Utilization of recovered asset for the realisation of SDG 16.4\".\n\nAll three events are in conference room CR1.\n\nCome and visit us at the booth to speak to our delegation and pick up some of our latest publications. Or – if you're not attending – you can download them here:\n\nVirtual booth – free publications on anti-corruption and governance\n-------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n*   [Annual Report 2018](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fannual-report-2018)\n\n### Digital tools - flyers\n\n*   [Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002Fbasel_aml_index_flyer.pdf)\n*   [Basel Open Intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002Fboi_flyer.pdf)\n*   [eLearning courses](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002Felearning_flyer.pdf)\n*   [Corruption prevention training](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002F191106_flyer-digital-tools_08_all_4-training.pdf)\n\n### Research \n\n*   [Hidden agendas, social norms and why we need to re-think anti-corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-22-hidden-agendas-social-norms-and-why-we-need-re-think-anti-corruption)\n*   [Can a behavioural approach help fight corruption?](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fpolicy-brief-1-can-behavioural-approach-help-fight-corruption)\n*   [Harnessing the power of communities against corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fharnessing-power-communities-against-corruption) (U4 brief)\n*   [Addressing bribery in the Tanzanian health sector](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002Fgi-ace_1.pdf) - a behavioural approach (GI-ACE project description) \n*   [Harnessing informality:](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002Fgi-ace_2.pdf) designing anti-corruption network interventions and strategic use of legal instruments (GI-ACE project description)\n\n### Asset recovery and anti-money laundering\n\n*   [Recovering assets in support of the SDGs – from soft to hard assets for development](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-29-recovering-assets-support-sdgs-soft-hard-assets-development)\n*   [It takes two to tango. Decision-making processes on asset return](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-24-it-takes-two-tango-decision-making-processes-asset-return)\n*   [Tracing illegal assets - a practitioners' guide](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Ftracing-illegal-assets-practitioners-guide) (available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Bulgarian)\n*   [Regulating cryptocurrencies: challenges and considerations](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-28-regulating-cryptocurrencies-challenges-and-considerations)\n*   [ICAR training programmes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-02\u002FICAR_Training_Programmes_2017.pdf) (brochure)\n\n### Collective Action and compliance\n\n*   [High Level Reporting Mechanisms: A comparative analysis](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-25-high-level-reporting-mechanisms-comparative-analysis)\n*   [Anti-Corruption Collective Action: Success factors, sustainability and strategies](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-27-anti-corruption-collective-action-success-factors-sustainability-and)\n*   [New perspectives in e-government and the prevention of corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-23-new-perspectives-e-government-and-prevention-corruption)\n\n### Illegal wildlife trade\n\n*   [Corruption and wildlife trafficking](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fworking-paper-30-corruption-and-wildlife-trafficking-exploring-drivers-facilitators): exploring drivers, facilitators and networks behind illegal wildlife trade in East Africa\n\n### Quick guides\n\n*   [Cryptocurrencies and money laundering](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Ffederico-paesanos-quick-guide-cryptocurrencies-and-money-laundering)\n*   [Intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fmanuel-medinas-quick-guide-intelligence)\n*   [Integrity and anti-corruption compliance for SMEs](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fgemma-aiolfis-quick-guide-integrity-and-anti-corruption-compliance-smes)\n*   [Social network analysis in combating organised crime and trafficking](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fjacopo-costas-quick-guide-social-network-analysis-combating-organised-crime-and-trafficking)\n*   [Illicit enrichment](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fandrew-dornbierers-quick-guide-illicit-enrichment)\n*   [Social norms and corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fclaudia-baez-camargos-quick-guide-social-norms-and-corruption)\n*   [Effective training on financial investigations](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fphyllis-atkinsons-quick-guide-effective-training-financial-investigations)\n*   [The role of FIUs in asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fthierry-ravalomandas-quick-guide-role-fius-asset-recovery)\n*   [eLearning for asset tracing and financial analysis](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fpeter-huppertzs-quick-guide-elearning-asset-tracing-and-financial-analysis)\n*   [International cooperation in asset recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fshane-nainappans-quick-guide-international-cooperation-asset-recovery)\n*   [Drivers and facilitators of wildlife trafficking](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fsaba-kassas-quick-guide-drivers-and-facilitators-wildlife-trafficking)\n*   [The role of business in tackling illegal wildlife trade](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fscarlet-wannenwetschs-quick-guide-role-business-tackling-illegal-wildlife-trade)\n*   [Financial crime in illegal wildlife trade](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fgretta-fenners-quick-guide-financial-crime-illegal-wildlife-trade)\n*   [Fundamental skills in tracing assets](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fphill-joness-quick-guide-fundamental-skills-tracing-assets)","News","2019-12-16","visit-us-at-the-conference-of-the-states-parties-in-abu-dhabi-1033","Visit us at the Conference of the States Parties in Abu Dhabi","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc59a836e-d631-43c5-a572-377f5bffce37?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[10],[16],[],1033,[],[16],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:55:35.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fvisit-us-at-the-conference-of-the-states-parties-in-abu-dhabi-1033",{"id":75,"body":76,"status":6,"type":55,"date":77,"slug":78,"title":79,"image":80,"countries":81,"topic":82,"activity":86,"tags":89,"nid":90,"topics":91,"activities":94,"authors":95,"images":96,"websites":20,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":97,"translations":98,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":99,"user_updated":100,"date_updated":101,"content":102,"link":103},10581,"We are pleased to announce the launch of a special crowdfunding campaign on the day of what would have been Gretta Fenner’s 50th birthday.\n\nThe campaign supports the Gretta Fenner Scholarship Fund, which enables talented individuals from lower-income backgrounds to access our advanced anti-corruption programmes.\n\nYou can [visit and share the campaign page here](https:\u002F\u002Fwhydonate.com\u002Ffundraising\u002Fgretta-fenner-scholarship-fund).\n\n### Gretta’s commitment to education and integrity\n\nOur long-serving and inspiring leader of two decades, [Gretta Fenner](https:\u002F\u002Fgretta.baselgovernance.org\u002F), understood the value and power of education. She invested boldly on behalf of the Basel Institute in [Basel STUDY](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy) – academic programmes with the University of Basel – to help build tomorrow’s leaders in the fight against corruption and financial crime.\n\nGretta was inspired by the people she met in every corner of the world and in every profession during her famously whirlwind travels. She recognised the potential in individuals who showed initiative, talent and the inner fire to pursue impactful careers strengthening governance and transparency and combating corruption and financial crime.\n\nShe wanted to open the door to meaningful education and lifelong learning beyond school or university, beyond short courses, videos and slides.\n\n### Investing in future leaders\n\nAll of us at the Basel Institute share this belief. Each of us can tell a story of how education, peer networks and continuous learning have shaped our careers and opened new opportunities.\n\nThis is why we are asking for your support for the Scholarship Fund named in Gretta’s honour. \n\nThe [Scholarship Fund](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy\u002Fscholarship) supports applicants from lower-income backgrounds who show a strong commitment to anti-corruption, transparency and good governance in their fields or communities. All funds raised go towards these students' tuition fees and, in some cases, travel to Basel for in-person course launch and closing events.\n\n### The Fund’s impact\n\nOne Scholarship recipient starting our first anti-corruption course spoke of his determination to _“…resolve anti-corruption challenges from an African perspective”_, while another shared how _“this prestigious study programme… offers a forum to learn from professionals who are influencing the global conversation on anti-corruption.”_\n\nShe acknowledged:\n\n> _“This educational journey would not have been possible without the support of the Gretta Fenner Scholarship Fund.”_\n\n### How to support\n\nIf education or the generosity of others have ever shaped your life, please consider giving – or inviting others to give – before the year ends.\n\nWith a target of CHF 100,000, we aim to fund up to 20 scholarships in 2026 and help advance Gretta’s vision for global peace, stability and sustainability.\n\nTo donate or share the campaign with your networks, please visit the [Gretta Fenner Scholarship Fund platform](https:\u002F\u002Fwhydonate.com\u002Ffundraising\u002Fgretta-fenner-scholarship-fund).","2025-11-22","launch-of-the-gretta-fenner-scholarship-fund-campaign-changing-lives-through-education-2875","Launch of the Gretta Fenner Scholarship Fund campaign: Changing lives through education","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F12330f9e-9b30-45fa-8526-a88cc7e84302?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[83,84,85],"Asset Recovery","Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[16,87,88],"Training","Partnerships",[],2875,[92,93],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement","Prevention Research and Innovation",[16,87,88],[],[],"English",[],"2025-11-21T17:01:43.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:38.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Flaunch-of-the-gretta-fenner-scholarship-fund-campaign-changing-lives-through-education-2875",{"id":105,"body":106,"status":6,"type":55,"date":107,"slug":108,"title":109,"image":110,"countries":111,"topic":112,"activity":113,"tags":117,"nid":118,"topics":119,"activities":120,"authors":121,"images":122,"websites":123,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":124,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":71,"user_updated":100,"date_updated":125,"content":126,"link":127},9781,"The Basel Institute's International Centre for Asset Recovery ([ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)) is hosting a side event on \"Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC\" at the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption ([COSP8](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8.html)). \n\nUNCAC Articles 43 and 46 deal with international cooperation and mutual legal assistance. \n\nHow can their principles provide answers to countries that are victims of corruption and seeking to recover assets through non-conviction-based confiscation?\n\nJoin the panel of expert practitioners from Peru, Switzerland, Germany and Kenya on Friday 20 December, 9am–10am, in conference room CR1 of COSP. \n\n### Questions\n\n*   Why is it so difficult for countries that have been victims of large-scale corruption to get international asset confiscation orders enforced?\n*   How can we make it easier for states to afford one another, as Article 46 requires, \"the widest measure of mutual legal assistance\" in asset recovery cases?\n*   What can we learn from successful cases of international cooperation in asset recovery?\n\n### Panellists\n\n*   [Oscar Solórzano](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Foscar-solorzano), Senior Asset Recovery Specialist and Country Manager Peru, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   Hamilton Castro, Specialised Prosecutor, Office of the Attorney General, Peru\n*   Barbara Kammermann, Swiss Federal Office of Justice, Switzerland\n*   Markus Busch, Head of Division, Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, Germany\n*   Muthoni Kimani, Director, Asset Recovery Office, Kenya\n\n### Information\n\n*   View [briefing notes by Oscar Solórzano](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Finternational-cooperation-asset-recovery-and-non-conviction-based-confiscation-briefing) on international cooperation in asset recovery and non-conviction based confiscation.\n*   Download the concept note: _Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC_ [in English](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002FCOSP%20concept%20note%20EN_15.12.19.pdf) or [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002FCOSP%20concept%20note%20ES%209%20Dec%202019.pdf).\n*   Download a flyer with the key details in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002FCOSP%20side%20event%20one-pager.pdf) or [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-12\u002FFlyer-AbuDabi_3.pdf).\n*   [UNCAC Convention Against Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Fbrussels\u002FUN_Convention_Against_Corruption.pdf)\n*   [COSP conference programme](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8\u002FCOSP_Conference_Programme.pdf)\n*   Read an interview on non-conviction based confiscation with one of the panellists, Dr. Hamilton Castro, in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-test) and [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fun-caso-historico-de-recuperacion-de-activos-pone-prueba-la-legislacion-peruana-de-extincion)\n*   The Basel Institute will have a [booth at COSP8](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fvisit-us-cosp-or-download-publications-our-virtual-booth) in conference hall 2 – do visit us for more information on this and our other work.","2019-12-15","cosp-side-event-living-up-to-the-spirit-of-articles-43-and-46-uncac-1031","COSP side event: Living up to the spirit of articles 43 and 46 UNCAC ","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F4a5ded55-ec0a-4a73-a7d0-3873e2c54ee2?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[83],[114,16,115,116],"Insights","Presentations","International cooperation",[],1031,[92],[114,16,115,116],[],[],[22],[],"2026-05-29T22:21:55.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcosp-side-event-living-up-to-the-spirit-of-articles-43-and-46-uncac-1031",{"id":129,"body":130,"status":6,"type":55,"date":131,"slug":132,"title":133,"image":134,"countries":135,"topic":136,"activity":139,"tags":141,"nid":142,"topics":143,"activities":144,"authors":145,"images":146,"websites":147,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":148,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":149,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":150,"content":151,"link":152},10276,"[Collective-action.com](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com) is the new website of the B20 Collective Action Hub, a free resource centre on tools and strategies to prevent corruption and raise standards of business integrity through Collective Action.\n\nSince its establishment nearly 10 years ago, the B20 Collective Action Hub has become the go-to platform for information, ideas and connections to others on anti-corruption Collective Action.\n\n### New look, better features\n\nVisit the all-new website to:\n\n*   Explore tools and approaches that bring multiple stakeholders together to address issues of corruption and fair business, such as Integrity Pacts, High Level Reporting Mechanisms and Certification initiatives.\n*   Get involved in upcoming events like the [Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022) on 30 June or in our Mentoring Programme.\n*   Search a [database](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives) of over 280 Collective Action initiatives in 60+ countries.\n*   Ask questions of our Collective Action team via the free [Helpdesk](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fhelpdesk).\n*   Read top [publications](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications) and [blogs](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews?type=All) on anti-corruption Collective Action.\n\n### The B20 connection\n\nThe Hub remains as vital as it was in 2013, when the B20 group of business leaders mandated the Basel Institute to develop and maintain this online resource centre together with partners.\n\nAs the B20 recognised back then – and [has done consistently over the years](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fb20-g20) – Collective Action is a powerful tool for governments, businesses and civil society to jointly tackle shared problems of corruption and create a fair and attractive environment for business and investment.\n\nForms of Collective Action are now [advocated](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F1863) in various documents and standards by multilateral organisations and others, including the UNODC, OECD, European Union, UN Global Compact, World Bank and World Customs Organization. At least 17 countries now endorse Collective Action in National Anti-Corruption Strategies, from Malawi to the UK. Yet despite these positive signals, there is a lot more that Collective Action can achieve.\n\nThe Hub brings together positive ideas and experiences from Collective Action initiatives in various industries around the world, helping ensure that this vital approach enters the mainstream of anti-corruption compliance.\n\n### A blossoming network\n\nThe B20 Collective Action Hub has developed and expanded over the years thanks to support from our key donors and partners, in particular the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fsiemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative).\n\nThe great variety of Collective Action initiatives that have blossomed around the world in recent years have helped push the needle towards a world where we all work together to raise standards of integrity in business and beyond.\n\nWe take this opportunity to thank all practitioners, professionals and policymakers in the Collective Action community for your efforts in promoting collaborative approaches to address corruption and for sharing your experiences with us all.\n\n[Visit the B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F)\n\n> ### Vote now – Collective Action Awards\n> \n> As the new website is launched, so too is public voting for the [Collective Action Awards](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022\u002Fawards\u002F). These celebrate anti-corruption initiatives in two categories:\n> \n> *   Outstanding Achievement – significant impact in advancing Collective Action as a tool against corruption\n> *   Inspiring Newcomer – emerging initiatives with innovative approaches to Collective Action\n> \n> The winners will be presented with their (non-monetary) awards on 30 June at the 4th International Collective Action Conference. The Conference will see over 200 leading voices in anti-corruption Collective Action join us in Basel from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia. [Vote now.](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022\u002Fawards\u002F)","2022-06-08","new-website-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-learning-and-inspiration-2231","New website for anti-corruption Collective Action learning and inspiration","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fbd2321b8-c87b-4e67-825c-20670c2ed220?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[137,138],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[140],"Media releases",[],2231,[137,138],[140],[],[],[22,137],[],"2022-06-08T13:18:54.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-website-for-anti-corruption-collective-action-learning-and-inspiration-2231",{"id":154,"body":155,"status":6,"type":55,"date":156,"slug":157,"title":158,"image":159,"countries":160,"topic":161,"activity":162,"tags":163,"nid":164,"topics":165,"activities":166,"authors":167,"images":169,"websites":170,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":171,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":172,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":150,"content":173,"link":174},9744,"One of our two submissions to the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption 2021 concerns private-sector engagement in the fight against corruption through anti-corruption Collective Action.\n\n### Our recommendation\n\n> UN Member States should put measures in place to promote the inclusion of anti-corruption Collective Action by the private sector as part of a risk-based approach to prevent corruption (in line with Article 5, UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)).\n\n### The reasons\n\nWell-implemented anti-corruption compliance programmes are increasingly acknowledged as essential for the private sector in order to address their corruption risks. Member States, international organisations, multilateral development banks, private sector stakeholders as well as the private sector itself, have all recognised this responsibility. See, for example, [Article 12 of the UNCAC](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Fbrussels\u002FUN_Convention_Against_Corruption.pdf), which focuses on the private sector's role in combating corruption. \n\nPrivate-sector anti-corruption compliance programmes are often modelled on guidance issued by these various bodies, as well as other sources such as judicial rulings and non-conviction based resolutions issued by law enforcement authorities. Examples include the [OECD Good Practice Guidance on Internal Controls, Ethics and Compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Finvestment\u002Fantibribery\u002F anti-briberyconvention\u002F44884389.pdf), the [US Sentencing Guidelines](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ussc.gov\u002Fguidelines\u002F2018-guidelines-manual) and the [UK Ministry of Justice Guidance on the UK Bribery Act](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Fuploads\u002Fsystem\u002Fuploads\u002Fattachment_data\u002Ffile\u002F832011\u002Fbribery-act-2010- guidance.pdf).\n\nAnti-corruption compliance programmes – no matter how well implemented – may have limited effects on corruption risks in certain markets and environments where corruption is systemic. In these markets, not only individual companies but entire sectors are challenged to conduct business with integrity. This results in the so-called prisoners’ dilemma.\n\nAnti-corruption Collective Action has the potential to transform this limitation. This is increasingly recognised by Member States in policy and law enforcement guidance, and standards set by a range of international initiatives. But much more needs to be done to galvanize the potential of Collective Action to make business integrity programmes more effective.\n\nMember States can incentivise the private sector to integrate Collective Action into their compliance programmes to address systemic corruption risks. This can be achieved through its inclusion in national and sectoral strategies, guidance and other relevant policy standard setting documents.\n\n### More information\n\n*   View our [contribution on the private sector to the Consultation Process](https:\u002F\u002Fungass2021.unodc.org\u002Fuploads\u002Fungass2021\u002Fdocuments\u002Fsession1\u002Fcontributions\u002FUNGASS_submission_Basel_Institute_-_Submission_1_Private_sector.pdf) in Preparation of the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption 2021.\n*   Find out more about [Collective Action at the Basel Institute](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action).\n*   Learn about anti-corruption Collective Action around the world on the [B20 Collective Action Hub](\u002Fnode\u002F1095).\n*   Visit the official website of the [UNGASS against Corruption 2021](https:\u002F\u002Fungass2021.unodc.org\u002Fungass2021\u002Findex.html).","2020-04-24","how-and-why-the-un-should-support-anti-corruption-collective-action-with-the-private-sector-our-ungass-submission-1706","How and why the UN should support anti-corruption Collective Action with the private sector – our UNGASS submission","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0ff7ee9a-fa1d-4a78-8f3d-75bba16c3cca?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[137,138],[116],[],1706,[137,138],[116],[168],1234,[],[22,137],[],"2022-05-26T22:55:04.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-and-why-the-un-should-support-anti-corruption-collective-action-with-the-private-sector-our-ungass-submission-1706",{"id":176,"body":177,"status":6,"type":178,"date":179,"slug":180,"title":181,"image":182,"countries":183,"topic":184,"activity":185,"tags":186,"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":27,"date_created":202,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":150,"content":203,"link":204},9522,"The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has launched tailored guidance on measures that companies in the oil, gas and mining sectors can adopt to reduce corruption risks when partnering with state-owned enterprises (SOEs).\n\nPublished on a user-friendly website, [Anticorruption Guidance for Partners of State-Owned Enterprises](https:\u002F\u002Fresourcegovernance.org\u002Fsoe-anticorruption) also recommends measures SOEs can take to strengthen their own anti-corruption safeguards. The guidance was [launched at a virtual event](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FG5NJ3Ryc7jM) on 26 January 2022, at which our Head of Collective Action Gemma Aiolfi moderated a panel discussion.\n\nIn this interview, [Alexandra Gillies](https:\u002F\u002Fresourcegovernance.org\u002Fabout-us\u002Fexpert\u002Falexandra-gillies), Advisor to the NRGI and co-author of the guidance alongside Tom Shipley, explains how and why they developed the guidance over two years of research and multi-stakeholder consultations with private companies, SOEs and civil society stakeholders, including our [Collective Action team](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action).\n\nHer insights throw light on the NRGI’s approach of conducting extensive, multi-stakeholder consultation and trust-based discussion, which is central to many Collective Action initiatives. A similar process could help practitioners in other sectors and countries to develop guidance that both addresses pertinent corruption risks and has a good chance of being widely adopted.\n\n### Anti-corruption recommendations already exist for extractive industries and for SOEs. Why did you decide a fresh approach was needed?\n\nOil, gas and mining industries are crucial to many countries’ development, but the benefits to citizens continue to be lost through corruption. Despite the many valuable efforts to raise standards of integrity and implement safeguards against corruption in these sectors, something is clearly missing the mark.\n\nAnd the stakes are only going to rise with the commodities boom and explosion in demand for transition minerals. Three issues stand out:\n\nFirst, interactions between international companies and SOEs in charge of oil, gas and mining resources remain a major problem area.\n\nThis finding emerged clearly from our detailed analysis of over 100 past corruption cases across many countries. Initial conversations with compliance officers confirmed that existing measures, and the standard risk-based approach to addressing corruption risks more generally, face difficulties in the case of interactions with some SOEs. They were open to fresh ideas.\n\nSecond, existing compliance systems often focus narrowly and inwardly on protecting companies from penalties for violating anti-bribery laws.\n\nYet many forms of corruption that are the most harmful to citizens are not covered by bribery laws, such as when political elites syphon off hundreds of millions of dollars that could be public revenue. We were keen to address the risks of company activities _enabling_ corruption by helping corrupt actors to carry out their schemes.\n\nThird, voluntary anti-corruption guidance needs buy-in from companies if it is to be effectively implemented across enough of the sector to make a difference.\n\nThis means it needs to take into account how companies interact with SOEs in their operations, the risks they face, and what is feasible to implement in their anti-corruption and due diligence systems. We therefore wanted to prioritise learning from private companies and other stakeholders about what’s working and what’s not in their relationships with SOEs. This is where a Collective Action approach helped.\n\n### Who is the guidance aimed at and why?\n\nDespite the focus of the guidance on five specific risk areas between extractive industry companies and SOEs – due diligence, high-risk agents, political exposure, safeguarding payments and joint ventures – many of the recommendations are relevant to a broad stakeholder group.\n\nAs well as producers directly involved in extracting natural resources, we proactively involved other companies in the supply chain, notably commodity traders and suppliers to oil, gas and mining companies. Although we drew on existing relationships at NRGI, we also reached out to get new companies involved in the conversation.\n\nWithin these companies, we are targeting not only compliance teams but also commercial departments and those responsible for external affairs, transparency, human rights and related issues. This is because we take a broad view of what counts as corruption and what kind of anti-corruption measures can help. In SOEs, we spoke to compliance teams or, where dedicated compliance functions do not yet exist, we engaged the leadership or the legal and procurement departments.\n\nThis mix reflects the professional backgrounds of those who took part in the workshops and consultation process.\n\n### What were their incentives to take part?\n\nI believe there was a genuine interest among participants in getting new ideas to tackle these common problem areas. And sharing experiences with like-minded professionals who have similar concerns is not only useful and enriching, but enjoyable.\n\nReputation is also an important factor. As with many Collective Action initiatives, engaging in such a consultation process helps to demonstrate that the company is proactively addressing corruption risks. This is particularly strong for companies that have faced public corruption issues that have damaged their reputation in the eyes of the public, investors or potential employees.\n\nThird, many appreciated the chance to contribute to industry guidance that might become widely accepted standards or influence other standards down the road. Companies have an interest in making it realistic and feasible.\n\n### Can you recap the process?\n\nFirst we conducted a lot of background research, particularly looking into past corruption cases in the extractive sector to understand the problem we were trying to address. The analysis made clear the vulnerability of SOEs in diverse countries to corruption. We then spent some time considering who should be involved in the conversations, including which types of company and from which countries, and getting initial ideas and feedback from colleagues.\n\nAfter a few initial conversations with relevant stakeholders, we scheduled a first gathering to get feedback on the topic. Prior to the meeting, we discussed the project with many of the invited company representatives in order to provide adequate background. At that first meeting, held in December 2019, around 30 people from companies, academic institutions, NGOs, international organisations and other entities gathered to discuss new approaches to preventing corruption, with a focus on SOEs.\n\nDrawing on the discussions, we then identified five priority areas of business interactions between companies and SOEs that represented particularly high corruption risks – and importantly, where existing measures are not proving sufficient to mitigate them. We then held interviews with stakeholders on these topics, which helped us gather frank feedback on what’s working and what’s not in each area.\n\nThen, we organised five virtual, invitation-only workshops, one on each of the topics of focus. The workshops provided additional ideas regarding good practices and prevailing challenges, and created opportunities for companies and experts to share ideas on sensitive issues.\n\nNext came the drafting and ongoing consultations with the workshop participants and other stakeholders, including SOE compliance teams, representatives from risk advisory consultancies, anti-corruption experts and academics, and investors. We also consulted with international banks that do business with SOEs; these can provide valuable inspiration for companies seeking to strengthen their systems for conducting customer due diligence.\n\nDrawing on these inputs as well as additional research, we then drafted the guidance, shared it with the participants, and received a very robust set of feedback.\n\n### Were you seeking consensus?\n\nNo. Importantly, we were clear from the start that the guidance would be the product of _consultation_, but not _consensus_. As an independent organisation promoting transparency and accountability in natural resource governance, we knew we might put forward some more ambitious ideas that don’t have much support among private companies.\n\nThis is a different approach from that of the [Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Feiti.org\u002F) (EITI), for example, which seeks consensus on its global standard. Civil society organisations sometimes also unilaterally publish recommendations.\n\nBoth approaches have merit, but we believe a middle way is appropriate in this case: the guidelines are informed by participants’ views and reflect what is realistic and feasible, but we are not asking companies to endorse or sign up to them all.\n\n### What are the prospects for widespread adoption, and how will you know?\n\nWe hope that, as a first step, some of the participating companies adopt elements of the guidance. We of course also hope to see widespread adoption by companies and SOEs in the sectors. That includes those not directly involved in the development of the guidance.\n\nThe participatory approach makes it more likely that companies and SOEs in the sectors will adopt the guidance. Many representatives were actively engaged in its development and can see the results of their contributions. Having been involved in the discussions, they can also understand why in some instances the final document doesn’t always reflect their views.\n\nThe consultation process also enabled us to build good working relationships, so we hope to get positive responses to our follow-up surveys on the impact of the guidance on policies and practices within the companies.\n\nOne difficulty with measuring the impact of the guidance is that companies rarely disclose information about their anti-corruption practices beyond high-level statements. We believe this is a missed opportunity. Many of those involved in the consultations are doing impressive work to mitigate corruption risks and strengthen their anti-corruption safeguards. They should be shouting this kind of thing from the rooftops.\n\n### What are potential obstacles?\n\nOne big barrier to adoption is the widespread concept of “risk appetite” in business, which weighs up potential financial rewards against financial and other risks, including corruption risks. If the deal is potentially very lucrative, it could tip the balance towards going ahead despite corruption risks that can harm the public interest.\n\nOur guidance seeks to address by encouraging companies to set clear upfront rules – red lines – on what they will not tolerate in any circumstances, even if the financial rewards are huge. But changing that ingrained risk appetite approach more generally is going to take a lot more than our guidance.\n\n### What lessons did you learn and what will you take forward?\n\nFirst, a thorough stakeholder mapping is helpful to gather an influential group of stakeholders.\n\nIn this case, we identified that we needed to reach out to more supplier companies, which have traditionally been left out of conversations around extractive sector transparency and governance. Stakeholder mapping doesn’t guarantee a perfect mix – our group leaned significantly towards North American, European and Australian companies – but successful Collective Action doesn’t require every single actor to be around the table.\n\nSecond, building trust between participants – who may be direct competitors – goes beyond basic elements such as confidentiality and anonymity.\n\nWe found it useful to clarify from the start that this guidance is NRGI guidance, not the result of consensus or something that companies will be asked to endorse. This helped to set expectations and gave participants the freedom and security to engage with the issues openly and in a good faith way. And that in turn encouraged more hesitant participants to do the same.\n\nThird, don’t be afraid to talk about sensitive issues – but to do it in an empirically grounded and evidence-based way.\n\nWe felt empowered by our research and data on corruption in the sector. These allowed us to ask pertinent questions, push back where needed and generate real debate. Without that expertise or evidence base, you are standing on much shakier ground.\n\nGoing forward, we see great potential for more multi-stakeholder discussion and potentially building Collective Action initiatives around specific issues within the guidance. For example, requirements that companies use third-party agents in particular markets, or around how to utilise beneficial ownership information and respond to political exposure in the supply chain.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Visit the [Anticorruption Guidance for Partners of State-Owned Enterprises](https:\u002F\u002Fresourcegovernance.org\u002Fsoe-anticorruption) website and view the [launch event](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FG5NJ3Ryc7jM).\n*   Learn more about the work of the [NRGI](https:\u002F\u002Fresourcegovernance.org\u002F) in promoting good governance in oil, gas minerals.\n*   Learn more about [Collective Action at the Basel Institute](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) and find resources, inspiration and event information on our [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub).","Blog","2022-03-14","how-a-participatory-approach-helped-the-nrgi-to-develop-effective-anti-corruption-guidance-for-oil-gas-and-mining-sectors-2198","How a participatory approach helped the NRGI to develop effective anti-corruption guidance for oil, gas and mining sectors","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F24d0505c-1b97-44b2-af4e-5b8c5f09923f?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[137,138],[114],[187,191],{"tags_id":188},{"id":189,"name":190},804,"Natural resources",{"tags_id":192},{"id":193,"name":194},859,"Corruption risks",2198,[137,138],[114],[],[],[22,137],[],"2022-05-26T22:51:56.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-a-participatory-approach-helped-the-nrgi-to-develop-effective-anti-corruption-guidance-for-oil-gas-and-mining-sectors-2198",{"id":206,"body":207,"status":6,"type":178,"date":208,"slug":209,"title":210,"image":211,"countries":212,"topic":214,"activity":215,"tags":216,"nid":217,"topics":218,"activities":219,"authors":220,"images":222,"websites":223,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":224,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":225,"user_updated":100,"date_updated":226,"content":227,"link":228},9591,"At a high-profile speech at the [Ukraine 30 Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fukraine30.com\u002Fen\u002F) last week, the Basel Institute's Managing Director Gretta Fenner emphasised that it is critical that Ukraine swiftly and professionally concludes the asset recovery processes started after the Revolution of Dignity. She also urged the country to fully empower its anti-corruption institutions and reduce the hurdles that have been put in their ways. High levels of corruption continue to drain the country's resources and threaten its democracy.\n\nInitiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2021, the Ukraine 30 Forum is a platform for discussion between the public and private sectors, civil society and other experts in the run-up to Ukraine's 30th anniversary of independence on 24 August 2021. Since February, the forum has tackled a range of critical topics including coronavirus, the justice system, education, digitalisation and national security.\n\nGretta spoke immediately after President Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on 15 June, on the second day of the Forum's special session on \"An economy without oligarchs\". Her full speech is below in English and can be viewed on YouTube [here in Ukrainian](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=jr1LfKWhNIY&t=76s) and [here in English](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=cFe7ydSCu24) (starting at minute 30:30).\n\n> Mr President\n> \n> Prime Minister\n> \n> Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen\n> \n> And most importantly: Dear friends from Ukraine\n> \n> It is a privilege to speak to you this morning and to be part of Forum 30 which leads up to the celebration of 30 years of independence of Ukraine in August.\n> \n> I am sorry I cannot be with you in Kyiv today, especially as I was in your beautiful capital just last week. But let’s come to the topic of today: Corruption and asset recovery. Talking of these topics in the context of celebrating your country’s independence is very pertinent, because independence and the fight against corruption are closely entwined.\n> \n> *   If a country is captured by vested interests and corrupt crime groups, then democracy is at stake, and I believe you would all agree that democracy has been the goal of Ukraine’s independence.\n> *   Second, it is crucial that anti-corruption institutions can act independently. If they are at risk of undue political or economic interference, they lose their ability to effectively combat corruption. \n> *   Third, when grand corruption is widely present, criminals steal large amounts of public assets. As a result the country lacks resources to invest in important public services and infrastructure. The country and its people are impoverished, and they become dependent on foreign aid.\n> \n> Reducing corruption and getting stolen assets back is important for Ukraine because the country urgently needs this money to build schools, hospitals, roads, and to invest in job creation.\n> \n> But it is important for another reason too: Asset recovery is considered a particularly powerful weapon against corruption. And when I say corruption here, I mean _grand_ corruption, the kind that siphons of millions and billions from your country.\n> \n> If law enforcement is successful in depriving criminals of their stolen assets, the crime of corruption is all of a sudden much less attractive. And while it is important to put corrupt people in prison when found guilty, it hurts them a lot more if you also take their money away.\n> \n> The efforts of Ukraine since 2014 to recover stolen assets are therefore very important from both a social and economic development perspective, and from a criminal justice perspective.\n> \n> My organisation, the Basel Institute on Governance, has had the privilege of supporting Ukraine in its efforts to recover stolen assets since 2014, when very shortly after the Revolution of Dignity, the Office of the Prosecutor General asked us to assist with finding and recovering the money that was stolen by former President Yanukovych and his allies. This cooperation was reinforced with the signing, last year at the occasion of the visit to Ukraine of then Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga, of a [tripartite agreement](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ftripartite-agreement-brings-fresh-potential-fight-against-corruption-ukraine) between Switzerland, the Office of the Prosecutor General and NABU, underscoring the cooperation of Switzerland, Ukraine and my organisation to recover stolen assets.\n> \n> Since 2014, Ukraine has recorded progress, but the progress has sometimes been slower than we would hope.\n> \n> The first very positive development immediately after the Revolution of Dignity was the international reaction. Switzerland, which by the way finances our work in Ukraine, the European Union and other important jurisdictions, have immediately frozen assets suspected of having been stolen by the regime of former President Yanukovych. The intention of this international action to freeze these assets was to give Ukraine time to investigate the underlying crimes, to prove that the money stems from corruption, and ultimately to confiscate it so that it can be returned to Ukraine.\n> \n> But these freeze orders are not open-ended. And foreign countries cannot return the money to Ukraine without the help of Ukraine. Through our work, we were able to help advance the cooperation between Ukraine and the countries where assets have been frozen. These countries have provided Ukraine with information about the bank accounts and with other evidence.\n> \n> But now the ball is largely in Ukraine’s camp. It’s the Ukrainian institutions that need to finish investigating and then prosecute the cases, and the Courts that need to confirm the criminal origin of these assets. Only then can the other countries release the funds and the money can be returned to Ukraine. And with that money, schools can be built, or roads, or hospitals.\n> \n> Time is of the essence now; we may have another two or three years until most freezes will expire. That means that Ukrainian institutions have to work at full speed, and have to be allowed to do so, so that we can see successful prosecutions and confiscations in Ukrainian Courts.\n> \n> For this, Ukraine does have the necessary institutions, and this is another positive development that has happened since the Revolution of Dignity. In addition to the OPG, these include, as you know well, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, two institutions with which we work closely and who are very important for this country. There is also ARMA and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, and the State Bureau for Investigations. In this context I am particularly pleased to confirm that we have just signed a cooperation agreement with SBI last week when I was in Kyiv. And of course, very important, the High Anti-Corruption Court.\n> \n> These institutions are all very important, but they have an incredibly difficult job. Investigating cases of grand corruption is extremely challenging; expertise in the field of asset recovery is very rare; and the criminals are using their still vast resources to pay for some of the most experienced defence attorneys to make the job of NABU, SBI or OPG ever more difficult.\n> \n> On top of that, it has been hard to watch how over the years, a whole range of home-grown obstacles was put in the way of these critical institutions and how they continue to suffer greatly from instability brought to them from the outside:\n> \n> In the seven years that we have been supporting Ukraine, we have worked with five Prosecutors General, some of which were more, some less reform oriented. This is a real problem for the stability of this key institution, and has at times definitely had a negative impact on its performance.\n> \n> Adding to this problem is the fact that key anti-corruption institutions have not had a chief for a prolonged period. The positions of Heads of SAPO, of ARMA and of SBI have been vacant for far too long, and the selection process for Head of SAPO is in serious trouble. This is not to suggest that the Acting Heads of these institutions are not doing a good job; they are doing a very good job in many cases. But it adds to the instability, and it puts into question the will of some to enable these institutions to be effective. \n> \n> And last but not least, as you know, there have been something like 18 attempts to remove the current Director of NABU from his position. And nobody will make me believe that this is because he is so bad at his job; rather, I would argue it is because he is a threat to those who have reason to fear him and NABU.\n> \n> In addition to that, we have had one backlash after the other when it comes to reforming Ukraine’s legislative framework.\n> \n> *   The decision by the Constitutional Court to rescind the asset declaration law is very problematic for example.\n> *   The law on illicit enrichment, which was passed in Parliament just recently, is a poor replacement for the previous law. It has serious weaknesses, as confirmed by the Venice Commission, and it will make it extremely hard for investigators and prosecutors in their efforts to stem out corruption.\n> *   And finally, ample evidence of serious corruption in the Ukrainian Court system may well be the final straw to Ukraine’s efforts to recover the billions of hryvnia that have been stolen, stolen from Ukraine, stolen from the people of Ukraine.\n> \n> So this is a make or break moment. If we are not successful in recovering these stolen assets, then people will lose patience, they will lose hope, and they will lose trust in this country’s institutions, again. Because it will seem to people that the corrupt continue to get away with their crime. And it can seem like an invitation to others to also steal.\n> \n> Corruption may seem only one of the many problems this country has to grapple with. But you should remember that corruption is at the heart of pretty much any other problem you are facing. Corruption fuels conflict and is known as a serious threat to national security; corruption fuels organised crime; corruption destroys the health system; corruption leads to poor education; corruption leads to poverty. It is no exaggeration when we say that in many ways, corruption kills.\n> \n> Mr President, Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen. This is a critical time.\n> \n> The international community, and my institution included, continues to support you in your efforts to fight corruption and recover stolen assets. But we must see sincere effort in Ukraine; we must see that there is an end to the undermining of the independence of key institutions; we must see these institutions with strong leadership; we must urgently re-instil independence, impartiality and professionalism in the Court system; and we must pass legislation that is up to international standards and that can work, not legislation that undermines the anti-corruption drive.\n> \n> This is what we hope to see from the politicians in this country, and I sincerely hope that they will show that they have the best interests of the country – and of the Ukrainian people – at heart. I trust and know that you do, Mr President, Prime Minister.\n> \n> We are here to help, and together with our partners in NABU, at OPG and at SBI, with our partners in Switzerland and across the world, we will continue to stand by your country’s side to end impunity for corruption and hopefully return many of the stolen assets to Ukraine, so they can be used for the benefit of the people of Ukraine.\n> \n> I thank you.","2021-06-23","a-make-or-break-moment-gretta-fenner-urges-ukrainian-political-leaders-to-speed-up-asset-recovery-and-remove-obstacles-to-combating-corruption-2037","A make-or-break moment: Gretta Fenner urges Ukrainian political leaders to speed up asset recovery and remove obstacles to combating corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff1b29718-67be-4a3a-bd71-56f23ad6e9ce?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[213],7337,[83],[16,115],[],2037,[92],[16,115],[221],1192,[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:57.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:45.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fa-make-or-break-moment-gretta-fenner-urges-ukrainian-political-leaders-to-speed-up-asset-recovery-and-remove-obstacles-to-combating-corruption-2037",{"id":230,"body":231,"status":6,"type":178,"date":232,"slug":233,"title":234,"image":235,"countries":236,"topic":237,"activity":239,"tags":240,"nid":241,"topics":242,"activities":243,"authors":244,"images":245,"websites":246,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":247,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":248,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":150,"content":249,"link":250},9729,"The [Banknote Ethics Initiative](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bnei.com\u002F) (BnEI) has made great strides since 2013 in promoting the highest standards of integrity and fair competition in the banknote sector. Now it's one of the first business-led initiatives to promote Integrity Pacts as a tool to safeguard banknote-related procurement from corruption risks.\n\nThe high level of confidentiality needed in this sector adds an extra challenge to the mix. The BnEI's Chairman, Antti Heinonen, gives a short insight into the project in the text below, which also appears in our 2019 Annual Report:\n\n> BnEI is a Collective Action that focuses on preventing corruption and compliance with antitrust law within the banknote industry. Central banks are the major customer group of the industry, and BnEI has teamed up with the Basel Institute to develop new preventive approaches to safeguard banknote procurement e.g via Integrity Pacts. \n> \n> The highlight in 2019 was the joint staffing by the BnEI and Basel Institute of an information booth at the 2019 Currency Conference with more than 700 delegates and representation from 70 central banks. \n> \n> The information booth represented an excellent opportunity to make contacts within the target audience, and provided increasing attention and scrutiny by central banks to the integrity practices within the industry. It also resulted in the first invitation by a central bank to provide an in-depth presentation and has provided us with greater insights to better define our strategy going forward. \n\n### Find out more\n\n*   See our news item about how the Basel Institute on Governance and BnEI are partnering to [raise integrity and transparency in the banknote industry](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fraising-integrity-and-transparency-banknote-industry-through-integrity-pacts) through Integrity Pacts.\n*   Download a flyer on the [BnEI Integrity Pacts project](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-04\u002FBNEI_Basel_flyer.pdf) published in collaboration with the Basel Institute.\n*   Read an article on [Integrity Pacts to Prevent Corruption in Banknote Procurement](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-02\u002Fintegritypactsbanknotes.pdf) by Mirna Adjami, published in _Currency News_ in 2018. \n*   Visit our [Integrity Pacts resource site](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F1526) on the B20 Collective Action Hub.\n*   Download our [2019 Annual Report](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-05\u002FBasel%20Institute%20Annual%20Report%202019.pdf).","2020-06-03","developing-new-preventive-approaches-to-safeguard-banknote-procurement-1759","Developing new preventive approaches to safeguard banknote procurement","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F9be0f1f7-7650-41a2-986f-af4214dc0e2b?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[137,238,138],"Integrity Pacts",[88],[],1759,[137,238,138],[88],[],[],[22,137],[],"2022-05-26T22:54:53.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fdeveloping-new-preventive-approaches-to-safeguard-banknote-procurement-1759",{"id":252,"body":253,"status":6,"type":10,"date":254,"slug":255,"title":256,"image":257,"countries":258,"topic":259,"activity":260,"tags":261,"nid":262,"topics":263,"activities":264,"authors":265,"images":266,"websites":267,"area":20,"programme":20,"language":20,"translations":268,"translation_of":20,"user_created":27,"date_created":269,"user_updated":28,"date_updated":8,"content":270,"link":271},9925,"Gemma Aiolfi, Head of Compliance, Corporate Governance and Collective Action at the Basel Institute of Governance, presented at the 10th International Conference of Financial Crime and Terrorism Financing ([IFCTF](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aif.org.my\u002Fevent_view.aspx?eid=7e4baf00-119d-4bb8-b265-39e74ff893c1)) in Kuala Lumpur on 30 October 2018. Organised by the Asian Institute of Finance, the conference brought together about 1,000 compliance officers from Malaysian and international financial institutions.\n\nThe conference took place against a growing body of evidence emerging from the worldwide investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been accused of criminal offences in relation to the misuse of funds from the sovereign wealth fund. As the evidence unfolds, allegations of wrongdoing are spreading to numerous politicians and banks worldwide, with the US Department of Justice recently filing [1MDB-related charges against two ex-bankers from Goldman Sachs](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fopinion\u002Farticles\u002F2018-11-02\u002Fgoldman-sachs-left-counting-the-damage-of-1mdb-scandal). So the conference theme this year, “The rising voice of compliance – towards greater governance and transparency”, was highly appropriate.\n\nGemma Aiolfi spoke during the first plenary session, focusing on how to address government-linked companies that have been sharply criticised by the new Malaysian government as having increased corruption risks. There is a lack of transparency around government-linked companies generally, so Ms Aiolfi spoke about what financial institutions should be doing to understand the companies’ structure, ownership, business goals and reasons for transactions.\n\nThe participants also heard from the Governor of the Malaysian Central Bank, Negara Malaysia Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, about the need for strong anti-money laundering controls in their operations. The Governor took the opportunity to announce a new regulation that will come into force in January 2019. This measure will require the reporting of all cash transactions above USD 5,000, half the current threshold. Her announcement was greeted with surprise and a touch of shock by the audience. \n\nIt can only be hoped that Malaysia will now start to mount investigations and cases against banks located in Malaysia that were involved in the 1MDB scandal, rather than leave it to other jurisdictions to play that role. This would certainly help further strengthen Malaysia's reputation as a country tough on financial crime.\n\nTo see the conference highlights and photos, please visit the [Asian Institute of Finance website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aif.org.my\u002Fevent_view.aspx?eid=7e4baf00-119d-4bb8-b265-39e74ff893c1).","2018-11-07","transforming-governance-in-government-related-entities-ifctf-2018-malaysia-19","Transforming governance in government-related entities: IFCTF 2018, Malaysia","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fff40fb35-bd19-4638-a05b-4fe4a8851de2?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[10],[10],[],19,[],[],[],[],[22],[],"2022-05-26T22:57:31.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ftransforming-governance-in-government-related-entities-ifctf-2018-malaysia-19",{"left":273,"top":273,"width":274,"height":274,"rotate":273,"vFlip":275,"hFlip":275,"body":276},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>",1780676435870]