A guest blog by Bernard O’Donnell, Head of Fraud Investigations at the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Sabine Zindera, Vice President, Legal and Compliance at Siemens AG and head of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.

When companies are sanctioned for wrongdoing, is there a way to turn the punitive sanction into a positive force – not only for those wronged, but for wider business integrity around the world?

Our Collective Action team has launched a Mentoring Programme to support civil society / non-profit organisations that work with the private sector and other stakeholders on tackling corruption.

Through the Mentoring Programme, eligible organisations can gain tailored advice, support and technical assistance from our team's experts in anti-corruption compliance and Collective Action – all for free.

In 2020, the Basel Institute on Governance with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative launched a series of roundtable discussions that brought companies together to analyse the potential nexus between corporate efforts to protect human rights and prevent corruption.

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE), Business at OECD (BIAC) and BusinessEurope, their member federations and the tens of millions of companies they represent have been deeply engaged in the promotion and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The tenth anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles this year is an important moment for stocktaking and re-focusing efforts to strengthening their uptake. 

Human rights are a key concern for business. As the global voice of business, IOE is deeply engaged in the business and human rights agenda and strongly supports the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The UNGPs were endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in its resolution 17/4 of 16 June 20111.

Our fourth Communication on Engagement to the United Nations Global Compact details our support over the last two years for the UN Global Compact and its results.

Non-business participants, including the Basel Institute, submit the CoE every two years. 

Prepared by our Collective Action team, our 2021 submission is available on the UN Global Compact website here and copied below.

A guest blog by Elisabeth Danon, Legal Analyst, OECD Anti-Corruption Division.

How can governments in South East Europe partner with the vibrant business sector and civil society to help combat corruption?

OECD experts and practitioners shared some novel ideas on this question at a two-day webinar on Collective Action – Building Alliances Against Corruption in South East Europe on 16 and 17 September.