[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":282},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-world-economic-forum-calls-on-business-leaders-to-strive-for-corruption-free-world-338":3,"news-world-economic-forum-calls-on-business-leaders-to-strive-for-corruption-free-world-338-similar":30,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":277},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":15,"activity":16,"nid":18,"topics":19,"activities":20,"programme":21,"area":21,"websites":22,"language":21,"image":21,"translation_of":21,"countries":24,"tags":25,"authors":26,"images":27,"translations":28,"content":29},10230,"published","2022-05-26T22:59:32.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z","World Economic Forum calls on business leaders to strive for corruption-free world","News","The Basel Institute, as a founding Board member of the WEF's Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI), supports the announcements on new WEF led anti-corruption programmes made in Davos this week.\n\n[See the press release](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-01\u002F130123_designing_corruption_out_of_the_system.pdf).","2014-01-23",[14],"","world-economic-forum-calls-on-business-leaders-to-strive-for-corruption-free-world-338",[17],"Partnerships",338,[],[17],null,[23],"Main page",[],[],[],[],[],[],[31,67,94,126,151,174,198,220,247],{"id":32,"body":33,"status":6,"type":34,"date":35,"slug":36,"title":37,"image":38,"countries":39,"topic":40,"activity":43,"tags":45,"nid":54,"topics":55,"activities":56,"authors":57,"images":58,"websites":59,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":60,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":62,"user_updated":63,"date_updated":64,"content":65,"link":66},10301,"_Economic crimes are significant obstacles to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and professional accountants can play a pivotal role to clear a path. This guest blog by [Kevin Dancey](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ifac.org\u002Fwho-we-are\u002Fleadership\u002Fkevin-dancey), CEO of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), marks the launch of IFAC’s new Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime._\n\nIn 2015 all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Its 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present an urgent call to action for all companies, institutions and nations to take steps by 2030 that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change. Yet in 2022, comprehensive global progress on the SDGs remains elusive.\n\nIt has become clear that corruption has presented – and will continue to present – a major obstacle to fully delivering meaningful progress against all 17 SDGs.\n\nCorruption and related economic crimes, such as money laundering, bribery, illicit financial flows, tax evasion and fraud, deeply affect both human and economic development. The [United Nations estimates](https:\u002F\u002Functad.org\u002Fwebflyer\u002Fworld-investment-report-2014) that USD 5 to 7 trillion worth of annual investments is needed to achieve the UN SDGs. And [USD 3.6 trillion](https:\u002F\u002Fnews.un.org\u002Fen\u002Fstory\u002F2018\u002F12\u002F1027971) is said to be lost to corruption each year.\n\nOn a regional scale, the presence of corruption hinders economic development by curtailing international investment and raising the cost of doing business. In short, citizens and legitimate businesses pay more money into a system in return for fewer of the services they need to survive comfortably.\n\nCorruption also affects all five pillars of sustainable development – people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships. These crimes illegitimatize and erode trust in democratic institutions and government, inhibit social equality, and threaten economic growth.\n\nTo make the 2030 Agenda a reality, we must tackle corruption by promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, as stated in SDG 16.\n\nThe International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) knows that the accountancy profession has a direct role to play in this fight – by enhancing transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors and by supporting an ecosystem of key actors and policymakers that strive to counter corruption and economic crime at the global and domestic levels.\n\n### Accountants have a pivotal role to play in fighting corruption\n\nThe accountancy profession can drive the fight against corruption, as an essential aspect of strong and sustainable government institutions, financial markets, economies and society. As professional accountants hold key positions in, or as advisors to, nearly every business and public sector entity worldwide, we have extensive reach.\n\nThrough audits and advising organisations, accountants regularly help the public and private sectors, and society at large, in the fight against economic crimes including money laundering and fraud. The accountancy profession has long supported the development of smart regulatory frameworks that promote compliance by balancing the needs of all stakeholders.\n\nIn fact, many of the accountancy profession’s regular activities already contribute to fighting corruption and economic crime. The establishment of harmonised global standards for audit, ethics and public sector accounting, followed by the adaptation of those standards over time based on quantitative evidence, has aided organisations and governments in identifying and responding to financial crimes.\n\nWe must build upon this experience and coordinate a broader strategy to support an ecosystem of actors working together to fight corruption on a global scale.\n\nTo answer the call, IFAC has developed an [Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ifac.org\u002Fknowledge-gateway\u002Fbuilding-trust-ethics\u002Fdiscussion\u002Fifacs-action-plan-fighting-corruption-and-economic-crime) (our Action Plan), which provides a framework for the accountancy profession’s role in combatting corruption and economic crimes, thereby advancing the UN SDGs.\n\nIFAC’s proposed strategy rests on five pillars that are broad enough to support a consistent framework, even as specific actions taken by stakeholders to support the strategy evolve over time. The strategy’s five pillars include:\n\n*   Harnessing the full potential of education and professional development.\n*   Supporting global standards.\n*   Contributing to evidence-based policymaking.\n*   Strengthening our impact through engagement and partnership.\n*   Contributing our expertise through thought leadership and advocacy.\n\n### Developing a coordinated anti-corruption strategy\n\nThe ability to partner with a wide variety of other organisations will be critical in fighting corruption. Key players include political leaders, civil servants, business leaders, global policymakers and other regulated professionals, as well as individual citizens and taxpayers. These stakeholders must cooperate in an increasingly global policy framework, even while many of them deal with the issue domestically.\n\nA good example of collaboration is seen in our Action Plan, which was developed in close coordination with the International Bar Association (IBA), with inspiration from their [_Anti Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.anticorruptionstrategy.org\u002F), launched in 2010. This collaboration reflects the significant depth and breadth of both professions’ involvement across business, the public sector and society. Simply put, our impact is stronger working together.\n\nTo strengthen and enable a more streamlined and inclusive international approach, IFAC is also committed to working with other leading organisations, such as the Basel Institute on Governance, Business at OECD and the World Economic Forum’s Gatekeeper Task Force, through collective action to better address and prevent corruption.\n\n### Looking forward\n\nAccording to Transparency International, perceived levels of public sector corruption have [remained unchanged](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.transparency.org\u002Fen\u002Fcpi\u002F2021) worldwide for the past decade.\n\nWith the right frameworks in place, the global accountancy professions are uniquely placed to change this landscape to help deliver the necessary progress to reach the UN SDGs and improve the lives of people throughout the world.","Blog","2022-09-06","for-the-sake-of-sustainability-clear-out-corruption-here039s-how-accountants-can-play-a-role-2276","For the sake of sustainability, clear out corruption – here's how accountants can play a role","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F5981c144-6f20-4834-9fa7-f72747631c7c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[41,42],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[44],"Insights",[46,50],{"tags_id":47},{"id":48,"name":49},982,"Anti-corruption",{"tags_id":51},{"id":52,"name":53},1380,"Sustainability",2276,[41,42],[44],[],[],[23,41],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2022-09-06T14:07:41.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-04-15T22:28:51.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ffor-the-sake-of-sustainability-clear-out-corruption-here039s-how-accountants-can-play-a-role-2276",{"id":68,"body":69,"status":6,"type":34,"date":70,"slug":71,"title":72,"image":73,"countries":74,"topic":76,"activity":77,"tags":79,"nid":80,"topics":81,"activities":83,"authors":84,"images":87,"websites":88,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":89,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":90,"user_updated":63,"date_updated":91,"content":92,"link":93},10441,"Paris is known as the city of love. But once a year, during the [OECD Global Anti-Corruption Forum (GACIF)](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024), it also becomes the beating heart of integrity – at least for the anti-corruption community.\n\nUnder the theme “Designing our future with integrity”, this year’s Forum brought together anti-corruption experts from business, government and civil society from around the world to explore trends in the fight for integrity and against corruption.\n\nAmid the global upheavals of the past year, how did this year’s Forum differ from previous editions? And how is the private sector adapting to these evolutions? A few takeaways from our Private Sector team are below.\n\n### 1 – Celebrating the OECD Convention’s relevance for business\n\n2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which recognises Collective Action as a best practice through its complementary [2021 Recommendation](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fdaf\u002Fanti-bribery\u002F2021-oecd-anti-bribery-recommendation.htm).\n\nIn the presence of the French and Ukrainian Ministers of Justice, the Convention’s anniversary provided impetus to reflect on its many notable successes, as well as the challenges ahead. [Discussions](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fonlinesession\u002Ff5b9e920-3f94-ee11-8923-6045bd9869bb) recalled the unprecedented importance and relevance of the Convention in ensuring equitable and sustainable global trade.\n\n### 2 – Major evolutions in integrity and compliance\n\nThis GACIF also saw the [launch of the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook](https:\u002F\u002Foecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fsession\u002F0035cced-3d94-ee11-8923-6045bd9869bb), which assesses the effectiveness of Member States’ integrity efforts, and highlights key developments and trends in anti-corruption. These include the emerging risks in the energy transition, the increasing use of technology in corruption schemes and the growing threats of foreign interference.\n\nSpeakers discussed the evolving functions of compliance officers and the need to strengthen their role. A key message was the need for compliance roles to evolve from operational to strategic positions within companies.\n\n### 3 – Participation in shaping business integrity\n\nMultiple global crises are impacting the way business is done internationally, reinforcing the role companies play in global anti-corruption efforts. As a result, this year’s GACIF saw a strong private-sector presence, both in terms of attendance and topics discussed.\n\nWe already saw this trend at the last major anti-corruption event in December 2023 – the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) – where the private sector showed a strong appetite to participate in [shaping the global business integrity agenda](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594\u002F).\n\n### 4 – Collective Action is crucial for integrity and fair competition\n\nThe increased business presence at this year’s GACIF meant that Collective Action was at the centre of many discussions. It was consistently presented as a crucial tool to raise standards of business integrity and level the playing field. [The Basel Institute’s session](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2024\u002Fsession\u002Fce6d8090-f0d6-ee11-85fa-000d3a2d90a9\u002Faddressing-governance-and-corruption-risks-in-infrastructure-development-through-collective-action-presented-by-basel-governance-) (as a GACIF Knowledge Partner) on enhancing transparency in the critical infrastructure sector highlighted that:\n\n● Collective Action allows for tailored solutions for each industry. This is demonstrated by the World Economic Forum's [Partnering Against Corruption Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.weforum.org\u002Fcommunities\u002Fpartnering-against-corruption-initiative\u002F) (PACI), whose approach acknowledges that corruption-related challenges differ across industries.\n\n● [Integrity Pacts](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fintegrity-pacts) can provide strong incentives for business integrity and create a learning platform for smaller actors in the infrastructure sector to improve their compliance capacity.\n\n● Initiatives such as [CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Finfrastructuretransparency.org\u002Fabout-us\u002F) are driving long-term policy reform and providing evidence for better decision making, leading to higher-quality infrastructure.\n\n### 5 – Leaders call for harmonised standards\n\nPublic-private cooperation was a focus of the OECD’s [Anti-Corruption Leaders Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption-integrity\u002Fgetinvolved\u002Fprivate-sector\u002Fanti-corruptionleadershub\u002F) annual meeting at the forum. This multi-stakeholder community of chief compliance officers and integrity leaders from government and civil society facilitates dialogue on pressing challenges and opportunities.\n\nIn one of her last public events before her tragic [passing](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fgretta-fenner-1975-2024-message-president) on 6 April 2024, Gretta Fenner, the Basel Institute’s Managing Director, moderated a roundtable discussion on bridging the implementation gap between international anti-corruption standards and national policies.\n\nPrivate-sector participants shared how they are responding to the practical challenges of operating globally under misaligned standards, and called on governments to harmonise expectations of businesses.\n\n### 6 – Opportunities for peer learning and dialogue\n\nIn a session on innovative peer learning programmes, Vanessa Hans, Head of the Basel Institute’s Private Sector team, highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for open communication and constructive criticism when dealing with sensitive topics such as corruption.\n\nThere are many opportunities for anti-corruption and compliance professionals to exchange with each other in a neutral, mutually supportive way. These include dedicated Collective Action initiatives that focus on peer learning and jointly raising standards, such as the [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1385), [Metals Technology Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1484) or many of the other initiatives included in our [global database](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives). \n\nAn interesting current programme for compliance officers initiated by the OECD and Basel Institute on Governance is [Compliance without Borders](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fcorruption-integrity\u002Fgetinvolved\u002Fprivate-sector\u002Fcompliance-without-borders\u002F). The programme matches compliance professionals from private companies and state-owned enterprises to exchange experiences, build expertise and discover new anti-corruption systems, techniques and solutions.\n\n### What’s next? Business integrity is touring Europe\n\nAfter Paris, lovers of business integrity are heading east, to Vilnius, Lithuania, before ending their tour in Basel, Switzerland.\n\nTransparency International’s flagship International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) will come to Vilnius from 18 to 21 June 2024 with a dedicated track on “[Building a Global Ethical Economy: Advancing Business Integrity and Its Leaders](https:\u002F\u002Fiaccseries.org\u002Fiacc-2024\u002Flithuania-theme\u002Fbuilding-a-global-ethical-economy-advancing-business-integrity-and-its-leaders\u002F)”.\n\nA week later, the Basel Institute will convene the global Collective Action community for its [5th International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2024). The in-person event will showcase Collective Action as a holistic approach to fighting and preventing corruption, and highlight the Basel Institute’s role in building a global community of practice for Collective Action. The draft agenda is available [here](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2024\u002Fagenda). Our annual Anti-Corruption Collective Action Awards will also be presented at the conference – keep an eye out for the public vote [here](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards).","2024-05-13","paris-vilnius-basel-business-integrity-goes-on-tour-2625","Paris, Vilnius, Basel: Business integrity goes on tour","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F4d11a6c6-86fc-4c80-b9bd-66616db5beea?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[75],7127,[41,42],[78,44],"Events",[],2625,[41,42,82],"Business Integrity Ethics and Compliance",[78,44],[85,86],1114,1115,[],[23,41],[],"2024-05-13T16:01:28.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:29.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fparis-vilnius-basel-business-integrity-goes-on-tour-2625",{"id":95,"body":96,"status":6,"type":34,"date":97,"slug":98,"title":99,"image":100,"countries":101,"topic":102,"activity":103,"tags":106,"nid":113,"topics":114,"activities":115,"authors":116,"images":118,"websites":119,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":120,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":121,"user_updated":122,"date_updated":123,"content":124,"link":125},9626,"Collective Action is at the heart of the new [Strategy 2021–23 of the United Nations Global Compact](https:\u002F\u002Fungc-communications-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\u002Fdocs\u002Fabout_the_gc\u002FUN-GLOBAL-COMPACT-STRATEGY-2021-2023.pdf), an ambitious corporate sustainability initiative that supports companies around the world in achieving sustainable and responsible business operations throughout their supply chains.\n\nThe UN Global Compact’s 10th Principle on Anti-Corruption has long [recommended Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction\u002Fanti-corruption-collective-action) as a way for companies to solve shared corruption challenges and ensure a fair and enabling business environment.\n\nWe have worked closely to support the UN Global Compact and its Local Networks for many years in implementing commitments to anti-corruption Collective Action. We are delighted that the approach is now reconfirmed throughout the initiative’s new strategic plans.\n\n### Growing support for Collective Action\n\nThe UN Global Compact’s endorsement of Collective Action aligns with wider momentum among standard-setters, international organisations and governments in promoting this approach.\n\nA recent World Economic Forum Agenda [article](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.weforum.org\u002Fagenda\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ffrom-an-age-of-disagreement-to-an-age-of-cooperation\u002F) by Siemens Chairman Jim Snabe captures the sentiment, talking of the transformative power of networks held together by a common goal. Collective Action in its wider sense was at the forefront of the [OECD’s 60th Anniversary celebrations](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fabout\u002Fupcoming-events\u002F60th\u002Fleaders-commemoration-event.htm), with a focus on pandemic response and recovery.\n\nThe G20 has responded encouragingly to private-sector calls for Collective Action against corruption specifically, as our recent paper on the [G20’s responsiveness to anti-corruption recommendations of the B20](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fg20s-responsiveness-b20-anti-corruption-recommendations-2010-2017-part-i-baseline) explores. We hope that as [Network Partners in the B20 Italy](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-support-b20-italy-integrity-and-compliance-task-force-network-partner) Integrity and Compliance Task Force we will be able to help achieve greater uptake of Collective Action innovations at the G20 level this year.\n\nThere’s more. Our paper on [Mainstreaming Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fmainstreaming-collective-action-establishing-baseline) lists a range of endorsements of anti-corruption Collective Action by international bodies (including the UNODC, OECD and EU) and standard-setting organisations (including the World Bank in its Integrity Compliance Guidelines, the World Customs Organization and GRI Standards). In addition, nearly 20 countries have specifically endorsed forms of Collective Action in their national anti-corruption strategies, although implementation lags.\n\nThe picture is one of positive momentum, but there is still a lot more to be done before Collective Action becomes a global norm.\n\n### Collective Action in practice\n\nTo understand more about the Collective Action approach to addressing corruption and raising levels of fairness and integrity in business, companies and professionals can explore the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub).\n\nLaunched by the Basel Institute following a mandate by the B20 in 2013 and supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, the Hub acts as a resource and knowledge centre on anti-corruption Collective Action around the world.\n\nExamples of how Collective Action can bring benefits to business, government and society include the use of [High Level Reporting Mechanisms](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhrlm) and [Integrity Pacts](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fintegrity-pacts) for clean procurement, local [certification schemes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fcertification) to ease due diligence for SMEs and their multinational customers, and novel approaches to synergies in [human rights and anti-corruption compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fb20-collective-action-hub\u002Fhuman-rights).\n\nThe covid-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on inspiring Collective Action initiatives in sectors such as [healthcare](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fpandemic-highlights-potential-collective-action-integrity-healthcare) and [pharmaceuticals](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fmeasuring-effectiveness-anti-corruption-programmes-health-care-sector-developing-indicators).\n\n### Can Collective Action help meet the UN Global Compact’s anti-corruption targets?\n\nThe UN Global Compact strategy, referencing [SDG 16](https:\u002F\u002Fsdgs.un.org\u002Fgoals\u002Fgoal16) on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, has set specific targets on anti-corruption. These include strengthening compliance programmes, transparency and reporting systems. Its [Action Platform](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction-platforms\u002Fjustice) is already hard at work developing and promoting global business standards in these and related areas.\n\nCollective Action is not only a pragmatic way to achieve these targets by pooling private-sector knowledge and developing standards and systems that work for all. As our Private Sector Specialist Vanessa Hans said in a recent opinion article for [Trafigura’s Sustainability report](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.trafigura.com\u002Fresponsibility\u002Fexternal-voices\u002Frethinking-compliance-and-sustainability-through-collective-action\u002F):\n\n> For the private sector, active participation in Collective Action offers the advantage of tackling challenges pragmatically, such as developing good compliance, sustainability and human rights practices through constructive exchanges with peers and other stakeholders.\n\nEngagement in Collective Action initiatives is also a [strong indicator in itself](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fnew-journal-article-anti-corruption-compliance-non-financial-reporting-and-collective-action) of a company’s proactive and collaborative approach to tackling corruption, raising standards of business integrity and levelling the playing field.","2021-02-01","un-global-compact-endorses-collective-action-for-sustainable-and-responsible-business-1966","UN Global Compact endorses Collective Action for sustainable and responsible business","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F8c40d62a-69ef-4262-9e20-738ed2875563?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[41,42],[44,104,105],"Anti-corruption interventions","Presentations",[107,111],{"tags_id":108},{"id":109,"name":110},830,"Business integrity",{"tags_id":112},{"id":52,"name":53},1966,[41,42],[44,104,105],[117],1198,[],[23,41],[],"2022-05-26T22:53:27.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:02.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fun-global-compact-endorses-collective-action-for-sustainable-and-responsible-business-1966",{"id":127,"body":128,"status":6,"type":34,"date":129,"slug":130,"title":131,"image":132,"countries":133,"topic":135,"activity":136,"tags":137,"nid":138,"topics":139,"activities":140,"authors":141,"images":144,"websites":145,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":146,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":147,"user_updated":63,"date_updated":148,"content":149,"link":150},10429,"_This blog was originally published on the FCPA Blog, which was discontinued in February 2024._\n\n2023 was a mixed bag for the business integrity community. On the one hand, the B20 – the voice of business of the G20 forum of major economies – had no Integrity & Compliance Task Force under the Indian Presidency. That was a major missed opportunity for all of us who care about raising standards of business integrity around the world.\n\nThe B20 Integrity & Compliance [Task Force](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fb20-g20) is a unique platform to discuss and build consensus among businesses on compliance and integrity topics across G20 countries. It provides an opportunity to present G20 governments with specific issues for consideration and implementation. \n\nOn a more positive note, the [OECD Integrity Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd-events.org\u002Fgacif2023) and U.S.-led [Summit for Democracy](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.state.gov\u002Fsummit-for-democracy\u002F) discussions highlighted the private sector’s critical role in the fight against corruption, particularly in high-risk sectors such as infrastructure and energy. \n\n2023 also finished on a high note: For the first time, the UN Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) in Atlanta included a forum [dedicated](https:\u002F\u002Fbusinessintegrity.unodc.org\u002Fbip\u002Fen\u002Fevents\u002Fprivate-sector-forum.html) to business integrity. More than 500 companies supported a [call to action](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction\u002Fanti-corruption-call-to-action) on business integrity, which was presented to government delegates at the CoSP. \n\nUpon taking over the G20 Presidency in December, Brazil [announced](https:\u002F\u002Fb20brazil.org\u002Fintegrity-compliance) that the B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force would be re-introduced. The Task Force will be led by renowned Brazilian business leader, Claudia Sender, with the Brazilian National Conference of Industry (CNI) leading the B20 overall. \n\nAs the B20 [kicks off](https:\u002F\u002Fb20brazil.org\u002Fevent) in Rio de Janeiro at the end of January, strong participation and engagement of the Brazilian and global business community can be expected – including on the integrity agenda.\n\n### Business integrity: the backbone of the wider business agenda\n\n2023 offered some sobering reminders of the need for continued efforts by companies and governments to manage their corruption risks. A notable example was the corruption case in Portugal’s renewable energy sector, which led to the resignation of the Portuguese prime minister.\n\nFueled by geopolitical tensions, corruption is evolving, and economic, social, and political systems are shifting alongside it. \n\n“To stay abreast of these interconnected challenges, companies need to look beyond their internal processes, to increase their engagement in policy platforms and in spaces for dialogue with their communities”, says Robin Hodess of The B Team, a long standing B20 Task Force member. \n\nActive business participation in multi-stakeholder settings can help ensure that new standards, laws, and policies reflect business realities (including stakeholder demands) and can be effectively implemented. \n\n### The B20 Task Force at the forefront of efforts to advance business integrity\n\nAs a multi-stakeholder group with a strong and international business representation, the B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force has achieved tangible impacts under previous G20 Presidencies. \n\nFor example, it was one of the first business groups to [recommend the introduction of public digital beneficial ownership registers](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fb20-g20\u002Fb20-2018-argentina) and transparent and competitive procurement processes. Both of these issues continue to be front and center for business integrity – and corporate transparency is key to global efforts to curb illicit financial flows. \n\nThe B20 also co-authored with the G20 a [guidance document](https:\u002F\u002Firp-cdn.multiscreensite.com\u002Fe0b6c17a\u002Ffiles\u002Fuploaded\u002FB20-G20%20Anti-corruptionToolkit%20for%20SMEs%202015.1.pdf) on Compliance for SMEs and worked on an [Anti-Corruption Technology Road Map](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-03\u002FB20-Integrity-Compliance-Policy-Paper-30092020.pdf) to promote integrity and compliance. Current debates about the impact of artificial intelligence on business will no doubt have huge implications for business integrity as well in the years to come. \n\nThe ongoing focus on transparency makes business integrity efforts key to the wider agenda for economic transformation, such as the just energy transition. Disclosure on company policies, processes, and impact – whether on anti-corruption or on carbon – helps create accountability, which is [critical for businesses and their commitments to a sustainable economy](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-11\u002FB20%20I%20and%20C%20summary.pdf), as the Task Force noted across the past few B20 cycles.\n\nTransparency is also a key element for stakeholder engagement, which is increasingly part of the business integrity agenda.\n\n### The B20 is a community of practice not just a process \n\nOne positive takeaway from the hiatus of the Integrity & Compliance Task Force in 2023 was the continued engagement and commitment of previous Task Force members. Together, we worked to integrate key transparency and business integrity topics in other task forces. \n\nAs a group, we have also been proactive and vocal in the process to reinstate the Integrity & Compliance Task Force during the 2023\u002F24 Brazilian B20 Presidency. Members met regularly, despite having no official home in the B20.\n\nWe updated a [guidance document](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F1792) that captures a range of good practices and learnings for incoming B20 presidencies, such as:\n\n*   Promoting consistent engagement between the Integrity & Compliance Task Force and the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, which advises the G20 leaders on anti-corruption topics.\n*   Ensuring consistency, continuity, and follow-up across G20\u002FB20 Presidencies, including by tracking progress.\n*   Enhancing governance in Task Force management.\n\nThis all reflects what makes the B20 anti-corruption workstream unique: the voice and historical knowledge of its community. \n\n### Looking forward\n\nThrough the Task Force, the business integrity community is actively engaged in shaping the B20 process rather than the other way around. This allows for community ownership. It also means there is impact on the wider business community beyond the recommendations made to the G20 every year.\n\nUnder the Brazilian leadership, the B20 in 2024 promises a re-invigorated Integrity and Compliance Task Force, whose work is cut out for it. The community of practitioners committed to business integrity is ready for the challenge.\n\nTo find out more about the Integrity and Compliance work at the B20 or to join the informal community, see the Basel Institute’s [resource pages](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fb20-g20) and reach out to Robin Hodess, The B Team, [rh@bteam.org](mailto:rh@bteam.org).","2024-01-29","fcpa-blog-strong-leadership-breathes-new-life-into-b20-integrity-amp-compliance-task-force-2598","FCPA Blog: Strong leadership breathes new life into B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F5e6e9e50-d014-4914-952a-ca023c123b49?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[134],7138,[41,42],[14],[],2598,[41,42],[],[142,143],1122,1123,[],[23,41],[],"2024-03-19T11:01:32.000Z","2026-04-15T22:28:52.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ffcpa-blog-strong-leadership-breathes-new-life-into-b20-integrity-amp-compliance-task-force-2598",{"id":152,"body":153,"status":6,"type":34,"date":154,"slug":155,"title":156,"image":157,"countries":158,"topic":159,"activity":160,"tags":161,"nid":162,"topics":163,"activities":164,"authors":165,"images":167,"websites":168,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":169,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":170,"user_updated":122,"date_updated":171,"content":172,"link":173},10389,"West Africa is experiencing a surge of economic growth and [foreign direct investment](https:\u002F\u002Functad.org\u002Fnews\u002Finvestment-flows-africa-reached-record-83-billion-2021). Yet it also loses billions of dollars in illicit financial flows, of which corruption is a major component. Rooting out corruption is essential to attract investors and foster sustainable development.\n\nThis is why anti-corruption Collective Action – jointly tackling corruption issues through multi-stakeholder initiatives with the private sector – has so much to offer West African states keen to maximise their economic potential.\n\n### Advancing the global anticorruption agenda from West Africa\n\nHow can Collective Action help to address corruption risks and ensure sustainable economic growth in West Africa? That question was at the heart of the [World Bank’s International Corruption Hunters Alliance (ICHA) Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldbank.org\u002Fen\u002Fevents\u002F2023\u002F06\u002F01\u002Fworld-bank-international-corruption-hunters-alliance-2023-forum), which for the first time took place in Africa. 350 participants from governments, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and academia from over 80 countries travelled to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to talk about challenges and solutions in advancing the global anticorruption agenda.\n\nCollective Action was high up on the list of solutions:\n\n*   Governments and international organisations shared how they support companies throughout their compliance journey. The French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) and the World Bank presented their private sector mentoring programmes, with the World Bank explaining how [debarred companies](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldbank.org\u002Fen\u002Fprojects-operations\u002Fprocurement\u002Fdebarred-firms) – after being released from debarment – are encouraged to mentor other debarred companies.\n*   Vanessa Hans, Head of Private Sector at the Basel Institute, showcased Collective Action initiatives in West Africa that work to strengthen integrity and compliance programmes of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). One such initiative is the [African Certification of Corporate Governance](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1517) programme led by Eurocham, which supports Ivorian SMEs in implementing good corporate governance measures.\n*   The award-winning [Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) initiative in Nigeria](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives\u002F1583) offered inspiration on how Collective Action between shipping companies and port authorities has significantly reduced bribe demands in Nigerian ports.\n\nThe final [Call for Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fthedocs.worldbank.org\u002Fen\u002Fdoc\u002Fca0911232fa09b6c7c7a07221b296a26-0090012023\u002Foriginal\u002FICHA-2023-Declaration-EN-16June2023-FINAL.pdf) sent a strong and encouraging message for the advancement of Collective Action in West Africa, recognising “the important role of the private sector” and supporting “further engagement between government and business and civil society”.\n\n### Translating opportunities into realities\n\nBetween April 2020 and June 2022, the World Bank approved an “unprecedented total of USD 28.5 billion in lending for 234 projects covering key priority sectors in West and Central Africa”. These investments offer a unique opportunity for stakeholders, including bidding companies, to launch Collective Action initiatives in the region. The incentive: aligning with the [General Principles for Business Integrity Programmes](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fbusiness-integrity-programmes-multilateral-development-banks-harmonise-their-guidance-2417) recently published by six multilateral development banks (MDBs) including the World Bank. Among these principles, Collective Action is mentioned as a way to encourage business entities to develop strong and effective integrity programmes.\n\nAt a joint integrity compliance workshop of the World Bank and African Development Bank at the IHCA Forum, companies discussed the benefits of strong integrity and compliance programmes when working in West Africa and elsewhere. All agreed on the need for tailored training of in-country personnel exposed to risks, stronger collaboration between companies and peer learning – all common focuses of Collective Action initiatives.\n\n### The crucial role of civil society\n\nCivil society in West Africa has an important role to play when it comes to implementing Collective Action and promoting business integrity. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are typically instrumental in facilitating dialogue and bringing multiple stakeholders together. In light of these new opportunities for multistakeholder engagement in the region, CSOs need make their voice heard and play their part in the implementation of the Call for Action.\n\nWhat can CSOs in West Africa bring to the table?\n\nOne can take inspiration from the Réseau Ivoirien des Jeunes Leaders pour l'Intégrité (RIJLI),which has been a member of the Basel Institute’s [Collective Action mentoring programme](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fmentoring-programme) since 2022 and has since shown a strong commitment to advancing responsible business conduct in the country.\n\nBuilding on the momentum of the ICHA Forum, the Basel Institute co-organised a workshop in Abidjan with RIJLI’s eight member organisations to take stock of the latest Collective Action developments in Côte d’Ivoire. This discussion led to constructive and valuable exchange on how civil society organisations can engage with the private sector to promote business integrity and build bridges between different stakeholders in the Ivoirian context. One participant mentioned:\n\n> This discussion has opened our eyes to different ways of fighting corruption. Collective Action is about co-creating. Everyone deserves a seat at the table.\n\n### Looking ahead: from isolated efforts to working hand in hand\n\nIt is great to see more and more actors endorsing Collective Action in their anti-corruption activities and standard-setting documents. It marks a welcome shift from isolated anti-corruption efforts to actively working hand in hand with all stakeholders, especially the private sector. The recent developments in the region have set a precedent for the advancement of Collective Action for more impactful and effective corruption prevention measures.\n\nTo capture these developments, the Basel Institute has published a practical guide in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2280) and [French](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2303) which spotlights innovative approaches that African governments have developed to address corruption more effectively and sustainably.\n\nWe look forward to continuing to help local stakeholders bring the power of Collective Action to West Africa for a fair, sustainable and dynamic business environment.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   [Policy Brief 11: Fighting corruption in West African coastal states: how Collective Action can help](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2241), by Liza Young (also in [French](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2242)).\n*   Explore our global [database of Collective Action initiatives](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives) on the B20 Collective Action Hub resource centre.","2023-09-01","business-integrity-in-west-africa-new-opportunities-for-collective-action-2502","Business integrity in West Africa: New opportunities for Collective Action","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0f1b875e-4b1d-410e-bade-86cfeab78808?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[41,42],[14],[],2502,[41,42],[],[166],1136,[],[23,41],[],"2023-09-01T16:01:35.000Z","2026-05-08T21:11:09.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbusiness-integrity-in-west-africa-new-opportunities-for-collective-action-2502",{"id":175,"body":176,"status":6,"type":34,"date":177,"slug":178,"title":179,"image":180,"countries":181,"topic":182,"activity":183,"tags":184,"nid":185,"topics":186,"activities":187,"authors":188,"images":190,"websites":191,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":192,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":193,"user_updated":194,"date_updated":195,"content":196,"link":197},10428,"Business integrity was among the priority topics at the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in December 2023. For the first time ever, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) together with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) hosted a Private Sector Forum in the margins of CoSP10.\n\nServing as a partner of the Forum, the Basel Institute welcomes the UN’s efforts to bring businesses to the table on anti-corruption and business integrity. A [new CoSP10 Resolution](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf) dedicated to the private sector opens opportunities for [Collective Action initiatives](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F), whereby businesses, civil society and governments can jointly engage to implement the international commitments at the national level.\n\n### UN engages with businesses on anti-corruption\n\nIn the two decades since the adoption of the [UNCAC](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002Funcac.html), significant transformations have taken place both for businesses and the environments in which they operate. A growing number of countries have implemented legislation focusing on corporate compliance and the criminalisation of unethical business practices.\n\nGone are the days of tax-deductible bribes. Today, the expectations on businesses from regulators, investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders are higher than ever.\n\nThe private sector has an important role to play in the fight against corruption, contributing significantly to the establishment of transparent, accountable and ethical business environments. As major drivers of economic growth and innovation, private enterprises possess considerable influence and resources that can be harnessed to promote integrity and catalyse positive change.\n\nMeaningful engagement of diverse stakeholders, including from the business community, in multilateral fora like the CoSP, the UN’s major anti-corruption conference, increases transparency and accountability. It can also contribute to more effective policies that reflect the diversity of contexts and challenges faced by businesses worldwide.\n\n### Private sector ready to join new platform for collaboration\n\nThe first ever [Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fbusinessintegrity.unodc.org\u002Fbip\u002Fen\u002Fevents\u002Fprivate-sector-forum.html) at CoSP10 established a new platform for collaboration on business integrity – and the business community was ready to engage.\n\nThe Forum discussed how governments can create enabling frameworks for business integrity through a combination of carrots and sticks, i.e., measures that incentivise compliance while ensuring that misconduct is sanctioned.\n\nDiscussions also drew on insights from an updated [Resource Guide on State Measures for Business Integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fgov\u002Fethics\u002FDRAFT%20FOR%20CONSULTATION_Resource%20Guide%20on%20State%20Measures%20for%20Strengthening%20Business%20Integrity.pdf) that UNODC, UNGC and the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) released prior to the event.\n\nA session moderated by Gretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, showcased how Collective Action initiatives can drive impact to foster more ethical and transparent business environments. Other discussions revolved around joining forces to standardise best practices on anti-corruption in the supply chain, and the role of investors in reinforcing business integrity through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks.\n\nThe Forum showed that there is great appetite from businesses to participate in shaping the global business integrity agenda. In a [call-to-action](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Ftake-action\u002Faction\u002Fanti-corruption-call-to-action), put forward before the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC and presented to delegates at the CoSP, more than 500 companies from around the world urged governments to intensify anti-corruption efforts worldwide and foster Collective Action in the fight against corruption.\n\n### New CoSP Resolution focuses on private-sector incentives\n\nIt seems that government delegates heard the private sector’s appeal: they agreed on a [new Resolution dedicated to the private sector](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Ftreaties\u002FUNCAC\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10\u002Fresolutions\u002FL-documents\u002F2325251E_L.17_Rev.1.pdf), tabled by Brazil, Norway and Saudi Arabia.\n\nThe Resolution acknowledges the importance of governments fostering a conducive environment for the private sector to adopt and implement effective integrity measures to prevent and combat corruption.\n\nIt calls upon governments to “develop effective frameworks to provide incentives for the private sector to adopt integrity measures, including codes of conduct” and to “implement robust internal governance and risk management systems for preventing acts of corruption”.\n\nCoSP Resolutions are not binding. However, they set standards for the implementation of the UNCAC and States parties are expected to take action to implement them. In brief, this Resolution covers:\n\n*   Tangible benefits: Governments should consider providing tangible benefits to companies. These might include public recognition and taking a company’s anti-corruption efforts into account in decisions relating to participation in public programmes, such as those related to subsidies, licences, procurement contracts and export credits.\n\n*   Incentives for enforcement: Governments should consider the effectiveness of a company’s compliance programme when holding them liable for corruption. Additionally, the Resolution invites States parties to explore the possibility of providing incentives for companies to voluntarily disclose instances of corruption and cooperate effectively with national law enforcement authorities. Furthermore, it suggests that when employing alternative legal mechanisms, such as settlements or non-trial resolutions, governments should consider offering appropriate incentives for companies entering such procedures to commit to developing or strengthening their anti-corruption compliance programmes.\n\n*   Evaluating compliance programmes: Governments should consider adopting laws, regulations and public policies to adequately evaluate compliance programmes. That includes developing and making publicly available guidelines, methodologies and other evaluation tools.\n\n### What’s new, what’s missing and next steps\n\nThe idea of incentives is not new to the CoSP. Already in 2019, [Resolution 8\u002F6](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession8-resolutions.html) encouraged States parties to consider providing appropriate incentives for the effective implementation of anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes or measures. However, this time around, the Resolution gives more concrete examples of what these incentives could look like.\n\nAlso on the plus side, the Resolution enables information exchange by calling for concrete efforts to provide technical assistance and exchange best practices among States. It also directs the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption, a subsidiary body of the CoSP, to discuss incentives for the private sector in its future meeting. This literally puts business integrity on the agenda for the coming years.\n\nIt is encouraging that the focus is not solely on law enforcement but that the Resolution embraces a proactive approach to engaging with the private sector for the prevention of corruption. In this regard, the Resolution can create a space for private sector-driven Collective Action initiatives as well as civil society working with the private sector to engage with governments in their countries on how to best incentivise business integrity on a national level.\n\nHowever, it is a missed opportunity that the idea of incentivising companies’ engagement in Collective Action is not explicitly mentioned. Business engagement in Collective Action can help to level the playing field between competitors and be a game changer for raising integrity standards in industries and markets.\n\nThis September, UNGC will be celebrating 20 years of the [10th principle of the UN Global Compact](https:\u002F\u002Funglobalcompact.org\u002Fwhat-is-gc\u002Fmission\u002Fprinciples\u002Fprinciple-10) committing companies to proactively develop policies and programmes to address corruption internally and within their supply chains. Hopefully, this upcoming anniversary will help to keep up the momentum for business integrity and Collective Action and ensure that governments involve the private sector when putting the recommendations of the Resolution into action.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   The Report on the CoSP10 and Private Sector Forum will be made available on the [CoSP website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Funodc\u002Fen\u002Fcorruption\u002FCOSP\u002Fsession10.html).\n*   See our guidance documents on [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for National Anti-Corruption Agencies](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2199\u002F) and [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for anti-corruption agencies in Africa](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2280\u002F)\n*   View [photos from the Private Sector Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.flickr.com\u002Fphotos\u002Fungc\u002Falbums\u002F72177720313411288\u002F) by the UN Global Compact.","2024-03-06","sticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594","Sticks and carrots: New UN Resolution calls on governments to provide incentives for companies to implement anti-corruption measures","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F92a45106-0661-411c-933b-23c699fbda33?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[41,42],[78,44],[],2594,[41,42],[78,44],[189],1116,[],[23,41],[],"2024-03-06T17:01:30.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsticks-and-carrots-new-un-resolution-calls-on-governments-to-provide-incentives-for-companies-to-implement-anti-corruption-measures-2594",{"id":199,"body":200,"status":6,"type":34,"date":201,"slug":202,"title":203,"image":204,"countries":205,"topic":206,"activity":207,"tags":208,"nid":209,"topics":210,"activities":211,"authors":212,"images":214,"websites":215,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":216,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":217,"user_updated":194,"date_updated":195,"content":218,"link":219},10409,"_This blog is adapted from a keynote speech at a_ [_high-level event_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lie-zeit.li\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Fbekaempfung-der-internationalen-finanzkriminalitaet\u002F) _in Vaduz, Liechtenstein on 31 October 2023. Organised by the Liechtenstein Government in collaboration with the Basel Institute, the event focused on the fight against international financial crime._\n\nWhen you travel, it is almost always insightful to ask taxi drivers about the country’s biggest problems. Invariably when I have done this, corruption is named as one of the local population’s main concerns.\n\nThat people all over the world care about corruption is no wonder, because they see the effects on their lives every day. Corruption drains resources from the economy and negatively impacts social development and cohesion. People on average and low incomes are the most affected.\n\nBeyond everyday impacts, corruption also jeopardises the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It undermines efforts in the areas of climate, human rights, environmental protection and health. And it is increasingly recognised that corruption plays a big role in fuelling conflict and undermining security.\n\nIn contrast to taxi drivers and their fellow citizens, it is striking that political institutions and the economy attach relatively little importance to corruption. Corruption is mentioned just twice in the 2023 [Global Risks Report](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.weforum.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fglobal-risks-report-2023\u002F) published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), both times in passing. But if you look at the list of 32 global risks that are deemed important in the WEF's survey, you'll quickly see that corruption exacerbates practically every single one. So it should receive much higher priority.\n\nThis does not mean that nothing is being done. But the problem of corruption is not receiving the attention, interest, political momentum and resources it deserves.\n\n### Fundamental differences\n\nThis discrepancy – between the real-world impacts of corruption and the attention paid to it at the highest political and economic levels – also points to a problem: Corruption remains insufficiently defined. And where it is defined by international treaties, there is too much room for interpretation.\n\nIn recent decades, the fight against corruption has therefore been broken down into definable criminal offences like bribery or money laundering. This has brought progress, but also problems of political coherence. Because standards are not defined in the same way everywhere, cooperation between legal systems is put to the test.\n\nNot only do these different understandings make cooperation difficult. Newly recognised forms of corruption also risk being forgotten. For example, the term is often reduced to bribery or other monetary forms of corruption involving public and private actors. But that [misses out behaviours](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fwhat-is-corruption) such as patronage, nepotism, conflicts of interest, influence peddling or the manipulation of legislative processes with a corrupt objective, to name but a few.\n\nAt the Basel Institute on Governance, we see the challenges that these discrepancies cause across our work – from the [recovery of assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery) to the [corruption risk management](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fprivate-sector) frameworks of international corporations to attempts to counter [money laundering and terrorist financing](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index).\n\n### Hybrid solutions based on a common understanding\n\nIn many ways, the challenges in the fight against corruption are similar to those in efforts to reduce war and conflict and to promote human rights and international humanitarian law. Norms and realities diverge: political and professional, legal and practical, real and virtual. And wherever we look, problems are complex and typically arise on several levels, affecting a variety of players. They require different expertise, specialist knowledge and new approaches to solve them. Hybrid problems need hybrid solutions.\n\nMany areas of tension arise from the hybrid nature of corruption, as in other fields. The biggest tension is often between the technical\u002Flegal side and domestic political conditions. While legally coherent standards are important, they are not necessarily politically acceptable. This is because states have to consider other interests beyond the objectives of the standards.\n\nBut aligning standards solely with the political wind is not a solution either. Then the law becomes arbitrary and leads us to double standards. We see this in major issues such as sovereignty – the inviolability of borders, the protection of the civilian population or the confiscation of assets – where context-specific political stances call into question universal norms that are crucial for legal certainty. One finds the bombing of civilians unacceptable in one place and not worth mentioning in another. One negotiates with terrorists here, but not there. One finds property rights a good thing here, and calls for unilateral confiscations there.\n\nWhat is important today is that we find our way back, or rather forward, to norms that are universally implemented and understood regardless of – or perhaps precisely because of – the hybrid nature of the problems we are faced with. Or if this is not immediately politically possible, norms should at least be universally applicable. This means we need to uncover the interests behind the normative problems in order to find political compromises that work.\n\n### No problem is an island\n\nThe English poet John Donne wrote 400 years ago that \"No man is an island, entire of itself”. He meant that we are all dependent on each other and that our decisions have impacts beyond our selves.\n\nThat holds particularly true when it comes to solving problems. We know that we cannot make decisions on a national level alone. Or if we do, they do not actually solve the problem. But instead of thinking in the interconnected, multi-faceted manner and collective action-driven manner necessary to solve problems, our national and international institutions and decision-makers are locked in siloed thinking and functional differentiation. This inhibits adequate and legitimate solutions. Again, we see this in our work every day.\n\nAnother challenge is that to solve problems, we need to combine what is legally meaningful and politically legitimate. Yet the more norms we create, the more vague become the boundaries between what is legal, illicit and illegal. This is because we don’t give adequate consideration to the political consensus when it comes to norm creation. \n\nThis reminds me in many ways of my previous work. Corrupt politicians or businessmen are not that different from warlords who violate the Geneva Conventions:\n\n*   They interpret a normative vacuum as empowerment, using the excuse that if something is not explicitly prohibited, it is allowed.\n*   They turn perpetrators into victims, when they attempt to undermine anti-corruption efforts with arguments about property rights and economic freedoms.\n*   They hide behind logic like: \"If the other person is corrupt, I can be corrupt too.\"\n\nFrom my previous challenges with the implementation of the Geneva Conventions, and from what I see in the anti-corruption world so far, I tend to believe that there is often no alternative to dialogue and negotiation with the power holders, actors and stakeholders who are sceptical of the further development and implementation of anti-corruption norms or who resist them outright.\n\nThis does not mean renouncing normative coercion or that we should give perpetrators a right of veto. Rather, it means that we need to be willing to understand and recognise the realities of power. And that as a consequence, behaviour, institutions and processes need time to adapt to new requirements.\n\n### The vital role of non-state actors\n\nA last important point: focusing solely on states and state-driven solutions is no longer appropriate today. Wherever we look, actors other than states play a vital role in politics, standard setting and the practical implementation of standards.\n\nIn the fight against corruption in particular, we would be making even less progress without the constant pressure and solutions coming from civil society and the private sector. Social norms, political realities and corruption are a collective action problem, just as we have seen in tough conflict and humanitarian situations. Calling for norms is relatively fruitless without a committed business community and civil society that also want to implement behavioural changes in their own interests.\n\nIt is not only dialogue with the powerful that is needed, but also the mobilisation of those willing parties who want to tackle problems effectively and collectively. And because here again, problems are multi-layered, complex and hybrid, there is an even greater need to mediate between norms and realities, individual cases and policies, political and professional perspectives.\n\nSeeking pragmatic solutions should remain our goal.","2023-12-09","ask-a-taxi-driver-peter-maurer-on-definitions-dialogue-and-the-collective-fight-against-corruption-2553","Ask a taxi driver: Peter Maurer on definitions, dialogue and the collective fight against corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F8faf9b3f-e124-4ace-9c8a-a4de16d70ee8?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14],[44],[],2553,[],[44],[213],1127,[],[23],[],"2023-12-09T11:01:35.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fask-a-taxi-driver-peter-maurer-on-definitions-dialogue-and-the-collective-fight-against-corruption-2553",{"id":221,"body":222,"status":6,"type":10,"date":223,"slug":224,"title":225,"image":226,"countries":227,"topic":229,"activity":230,"tags":231,"nid":235,"topics":236,"activities":237,"authors":238,"images":240,"websites":241,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":242,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":243,"user_updated":63,"date_updated":244,"content":245,"link":246},9795,"The B20 – or Business 20 – is an engagement group that brings the voice of the business community to the G20 process.  The G20\u002FB20 presidency rotates on an annual basis with Saudi Arabia succeeding Japan in this role in December.\n\nWe have actively supported the B20 process over the past ten years, with a particular emphasis since 2013 when the Basel Institute was mandated to host the B20 Anti-Corruption Collective Action Hub. As a Network Partner, alongside the World Economic Forum, the International Chamber of Commerce, Business at OECD and others, we will be able to further intensify our support to the B20 process. \n\nB20 Saudi Arabia has announced that the taskforces will follow an inclusive and collaborative approach with the goal of reaching impactful and differentiated policy recommendations. This is welcome, as over the years of our engagement with the B20, we have found that where the B20 process allows for meaningful consultation with stakeholders, the greater the chance that the recommendations reflect the needs and realities of businesses. It also increases ownership and the chances that the B20 recommendations will be implemented.\n\nIn this year’s B20 cycle, the Institute will actively participate and share its expertise with the Integrity & Compliance Taskforce and engage with our partners and new stakeholders to disseminate its work and outcomes. As part of the same process in the past, the Institute for example facilitated work streams of the 2015 B20 Turkey Anti-Corruption Taskforce, which resulted in the joint development of an [Anti-Corruption Toolkit for SMEs](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2020-04\u002FB20-G20%20Anti-corruptionToolkit%20for%20SMEs%202015.1.pdf).  More recently, the Institute contributed to the B20 Argentina Integrity & Compliance Taskforce’s recommendations in 2018, which included a call to promote Collective Action among state-owned enterprises, governments, and the private sector.  Since then, the Basel Institute is engaging in discussions at the OECD with multiple stakeholders on how to operationalise this recommendation.\n\nThe Basel Institute encourages integrity and compliance experts from the widest possible range of companies to engage in the B20 process.  \n\nMore information on the priorities of the B20 Saudi Arabia in addition to Integrity & Compliance can be found on their website [here](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.b20saudiarabia.org.sa\u002F).\n\nUpdate October 2020: [Download the B20 Saudi Arabia Integrity and Compliance Policy Paper here](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fb20-saudi-arabia-integrity-and-compliance-policy-paper-2020).","2019-11-12","basel-institute-to-continue-b20-engagement-as-b20-saudi-arabia-integrity-amp-compliance-taskforce-network-partner-in-2020-1023","Basel Institute to continue B20 engagement as B20 Saudi Arabia Integrity & Compliance Taskforce Network Partner in 2020","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F24cb9560-4d5b-414a-85c3-fc6b1dfd0352?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[228],7443,[41,42],[104],[232],{"tags_id":233},{"id":234,"name":41},909,1023,[41,42],[104],[239],1252,[],[23,41],[],"2022-05-26T22:55:47.000Z","2026-04-15T22:28:45.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-to-continue-b20-engagement-as-b20-saudi-arabia-integrity-amp-compliance-taskforce-network-partner-in-2020-1023",{"id":248,"body":249,"status":6,"type":34,"date":250,"slug":251,"title":252,"image":253,"countries":254,"topic":255,"activity":257,"tags":260,"nid":265,"topics":266,"activities":267,"authors":268,"images":270,"websites":271,"area":21,"programme":21,"language":21,"translations":272,"translation_of":21,"user_created":61,"date_created":273,"user_updated":63,"date_updated":274,"content":275,"link":276},9814,"_Falling rankings in the Basel AML Index, released today, show how many countries’ AML systems are a weak defence against today’s money laundering risks._\n\nIneffective anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism (AML\u002FCFT) systems and lack of transparency are leaving the door open to increasingly sophisticated money laundering schemes.\n\nThese are two findings of the 8th edition of the [Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index), an independent, research-based ranking that assesses countries' risk exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing (ML\u002FTF). They may help to explain why countries generally considered “safe” for investment have been hitting headlines recently with high-profile money laundering scandals.\n\n### Quality of AML\u002FCFT framework\n\nColombia, Latvia, Finland, China and Lithuania fell significantly in this year’s Basel AML Index rankings due to poor assessments of the effectiveness of their AML\u002FCFT systems by global money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).\n\nFATF evaluations, which since 2013 assess not just _technical compliance_ of anti-money laundering systems but their _effectiveness_, are a key indicator in the Basel AML Index.\n\nFindings suggest that compliance and effectiveness often do not go hand in hand. Vanuatu’s AML\u002FCFT system, for example, scores highly for technical compliance but 0% for effectiveness.\n\nGretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, which issues the annual ranking, says:\n\n_“It’s like the car emissions scandal, but for illegal money. Preventive systems may be in place, but too often they’re not doing what they’re supposed do. Governments who are really serious about combating financial crime should get in the driver’s seat and start fixing the weaknesses that FATF assessments reveal. Countries benefit far more from being seen as a trustworthy, low-risk location for investment than by letting the dirty money of criminals flow through the loopholes.”_\n\nThis is a wake-up call. When it comes to AML\u002FCFT systems, countries need to focus on effectiveness and not just tick-box compliance.\n\n### Corruption and bribery\n\nDenmark is rated the least risky country for corruption and bribery, followed by New Zealand and Singapore in a list of top 10 performers dominated by Nordic and northern European countries. This risk category draws on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and the TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix, which was newly added to the Basel AML Index this year as an indicator of business bribery risk.\n\nThe correlation between corruption and money laundering must be considered by governments when they seek to make their AML systems more effective.\n\n### Financial transparency and standards\n\nOffshore financial centres such as the Marshall Islands and Caribbean islands of Grenada and St. Lucia are among the lowest-performing countries in terms of financial transparency and standards. On a more positive note, some larger financial centres such as Switzerland and the UK have improved their scores in this category since 2018. Financial secrecy is considered a major risk for ML\u002FTF activity.\n\nAnalysis of FATF data reveals disappointing efforts to improve transparency of beneficial ownership, despite the attention this issue has attracted in recent years. The average score for technical compliance in this category is only just over 40%. The situation is even worse when it comes to the average effectiveness score, which is only 23%.\n\nInformation on ownership structures is largely unavailable to competent authorities, adding unnecessary hurdles to effective enforcement of laws on money laundering and related financial crimes. \n\n### Public transparency and accountability\n\nPoor performance in public transparency is mainly associated with political party and election campaign financing, as well as budgetary transparency and accountability. Countries as diverse as Vanuatu, Switzerland, Gambia and Qatar feature on the list of 10 poorest performers.\n\nCould there be room for more streamlined international rules?\n\n### Legal and political risks\n\nThe list of top 10 performers in terms of legal and political risks – covering media freedom and the strength of the rule of law – is again dominated by Nordic and northern European countries, plus New Zealand and Canada.\n\nCountries destabilised by war, with weak rule of law and where members of the press are stifled, are easily abused by criminals. This year’s list of poor performers in this category is led by Yemen and Venezuela.\n\n_For a full overview of results, analysis and interactive country comparison tables, plus the opportunity to demo the Expert Edition, visit the_ _Basel AML Index website:_ [_index.baselgovernance.org_](https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002F)_._\n\nAbout the Basel AML Index\n-------------------------\n\nThe Basel AML Index is an independent annual ranking that assesses the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing (ML\u002FTF) around the world.\n\nPublished by the Basel Institute on Governance since 2012, it provides risk scores based on data from 15 publicly available sources such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Transparency International, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. The risk scores cover five domains:\n\n*   Quality of ML\u002FTF Framework\n*   Bribery and Corruption\n*   Financial Transparency and Standards\n*   Public Transparency and Accountability\n*   Legal and Political Risks\n\nThe Public Edition of the Basel AML Index 2019 covers 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate a reliable ML\u002FTF risk score.\n\nA comprehensive list of scores and sub-indicators for 203 countries is available in the [Expert Edition](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F403), a subscription-based service used by companies and financial institutions as an ML\u002FTF country risk-rating tool for compliance and risk assessment purposes. Subscription is free for academic, public, supervisory and non-profit organisations.\n\nAdditional services and resources this year include an upgraded, in-depth analysis of FATF Mutual Evaluation Reports and a detailed analysis of ML\u002FTF risks in post-Soviet countries.\n\n### Downloads\n\n*   [Press release (English)](\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-08\u002Fbasel_aml_index_press_release_en.pdf)\n*   [Comunicado de prensa (Español)](\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-08\u002Fbasel_aml_index_press_release_es.pdf)\n*   [Press release (Russian)](\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-08\u002Fbasel_aml_index_press_release_ru.pdf)\n*   [2019 report including ranking](\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-08\u002FBasel%20AML%20Index%202019.pdf)\n\n### Contacts\n\n*   Technical or country-specific enquiries: Basel AML Index Project Manager, [Kateryna Boguslavska](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Fkateryna-boguslavska)\n*   Media enquiries and requests for interview: Communications Officer: [Monica Guy](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fpeople\u002Fmonica-guy)\n*   Subscriptions: via the [website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index\u002Fexpert-edition) or email [index@baselgovernance.org](mailto:index@baselgovernance.org)","2019-08-19","basel-aml-index-2019-too-little-progress-are-aml-systems-effective-991","Basel AML Index 2019: Too little progress – are AML systems effective?","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F39c492c8-9a5a-4075-b5eb-2646910446eb?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[256],"Anti-Money Laundering",[258,259],"Basel AML Index","Media releases",[261],{"tags_id":262},{"id":263,"name":264},818,"Anti-money laundering",991,[256],[258,259],[269],1258,[],[23,258],[],"2022-05-26T22:56:03.000Z","2026-04-27T21:01:55.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-aml-index-2019-too-little-progress-are-aml-systems-effective-991",{"left":278,"top":278,"width":279,"height":279,"rotate":278,"vFlip":280,"hFlip":280,"body":281},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>",1780676460279]