This article by Scarlet Wannenwetsch appeared in the September issue of InMagazine, published by the TEID Ethics & Reputation Society.

It covers the 4th International Collective Action Conference in Basel, Switzerland, and the Basel Institute's Mentoring Programme for civil society/non-profit organisations working together with the private sector to address corruption challenges.

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, CEO of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), marks the launch of IFAC’s new Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime.

Publishing information on the real owners of companies, also known as beneficial owners, can help governments curb corruption and support a more transparent environment for business. A session at the 4th International Collective Action Conference in Basel discussed how the new ‘Opening Extractives’ programme seeks to create new momentum for beneficial ownership transparency in a sector that has been prone to corruption risks.

Over 200 leading anti-corruption professionals from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia came together at the 4th International Collective Action Conference on 30 June and 1 July 2022.

Their goal: to reach across silos and add momentum to the growing global recognition that Collective Action needs to be a central element of corruption prevention.

Companies and business associations play an important role in preventing and reducing corruption in the markets where they operate – something that governments also want to achieve.

So how can governments and the private sector work together better to raise standards of integrity and fair business in specific countries and industries?

To answer this, our Collective Action team has worked with the people on the front lines of governments’ corruption prevent efforts – anti-corruption authorities –  to develop practical guidance with real examples.

This Siemens Integrity Initiative Annual Report 2021 gives an overview of Collective Action activities at Siemens.

As of March 2, 2022, the Siemens Integrity Initiative has committed around USD 120 million to 85 projects in more than 50 countries.

This report contains details of the Collective Action Initiatives selected in the Third Funding Round as well as the new Golden Stretch Round.