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Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts' Task Force |
Corruption is a major obstacle to social and economic development and increases the cost of doing business.
APEC Leaders acknowledged the threat that corruption poses to good governance and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific when they met in Santiago, Chile in 2004. They agreed that APEC economies should nurture and sustain good governance, economic development and prosperity by working together to fight corruption and ensure transparency.
To advance this work, Leaders endorsed the Santiago Commitment to Fight Corruption and Ensure Transparency and the APEC Course of Action on Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Transparency.
The following year, an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts' Task Force (ACT) was established. The purpose of the ACT is to coordinate the implementation of the Santiago Commitment, the APEC Course of Action and the APEC Transparency Standards. It also promotes cooperation in areas such as extradition, legal assistance and judicial/law enforcement (especially asset forfeiture and recovery).
The ACT is open to anti-corruption experts and law enforcement officials from all interested APEC member economies, APEC Observers (namely ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council), and representatives from the APEC Secretariat and the APEC Business Advisory Council.
More information on the purpose, structure and administration of the ACT is available in the APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts' Task Force Terms of Reference (see Downloads).
Achievements
In 2007 the ACT developed: A Code of Conduct for Business; Conduct Principles for Public Officials and Complementary Anti-Corruption Principles for the Public and Private Sectors. These codes and the 2007 Statement on Actions for Fighting Corruption through Improved International Legal Cooperation were endorsed by APEC Leaders. The Codes are being implemented through the provision of capacity building seminars to government and law enforcement officials, civil society representatives, chambers of commerce and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
The focus in 2008 was on asset recovery, combating money laundering and tackling corruption in developing economies. Activities included:
- A Workshop on Special International Cooperation to Facilitate Asset Recovery took place in Lima in October. Participants emphasised the importance of mutual legal assistance (MLA) mechanisms for recovering the proceeds of corruption. Various tools such as multilateral and bilateral treaties, voluntary channels, and other means to support public prosecutors' work were explored.
- An APEC Anti-Corruption and Administrative Reform Seminar was held in Viet Nam in June 2008. Participants discussed the role of anti-corruption agencies, private sector best practices and public sector finance reform.
In February 2009, a workshop on Governance in Public and Private Sectors and its Impact on Anti-Corruption was held in Singapore. Synergistic relationships between government bodies such as audit institutions and anti-corruption agencies were also highlighted as being helpful in the fight against corruption. The role ethical standards and moral courage plays in effective corporate governance was also emphasised. Several presenters addressed "Tone from the Top", i.e. the crucial role leadership style plays in moulding the culture in both private and public organisations, and how it shapes the steps taken to enforce anti-corruption measures.
Anti-corruption agencies shared their experiences on how to build an organisational culture based on good governance and how to promote corporate governance. Private sector companies and professional bodies presented on the balance between business costs and corporate governance. Global energy and electrical engineering company Siemens described how they had responded to corruption issues and the global compliance program they have implemented in their businesses worldwide.
The ACT held its 9th plenary meeting in September 2009. Discussions were held on the group's deliverables for the year. They include:
- A High-level Statement on Governance and Its Impact on Anti-Corruption ("the Singapore Declaration on Strengthening Governance, Enhancing Institutional Integrity and Combating Corruption")
- APEC Guidelines on Enhancing Governance and Anti-Corruption
- ACT Report on Independent Assessment on ACT
Progress reports were also provided on other ACT projects including the Anti-corruption Capacity Building Survey & Directory, codes of conduct for business, money laundering, corruption prevention and anti-corruption capacity building activities.
Current Activities
Symposium on the Systematic Approach to Building Anti-Corruption Capacity - Seoul, Korea (16-17 September 2009)
By sharing and discussing technical support experience, participants will build their capacity to organise anti-corruption technical assistance projects. The heads of anti-corruption bodies from Thailand and Malaysia, a high ranking official from US Office of Government Ethics and officials from international organisations such as the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank will present case studies and a variety of policies for anti-corruption capacity building. The Symposium will address recent global trends in anti-corruption efforts. Official development assistance and related national policies will also be addressed.
Workshop on Applying APEC Anti-Corruption Principles, Preventing Conflicts of Interest - Beijing, China (14-16 October 2009)
This workshop will provide a platform for discussions on how to prevent conflicts of interest and combat corruption effectively at grassroots level by applying APEC anti-corruption principles. Government officials, experts, academics and anti-corruption practitioners from the region and relevant international organisations will share their views and experiences.
Workshop on Formulating Strategies for Strengthening Interagency Mechanisms for Combating Corruption related to Money Laundering - Bangkok, Thailand (21-23 October 2009)
This is a follow-up to the Capacity-Building Workshop on Combating Corruption Related to Money Laundering, held in Bangkok in August 2007. It will focus on key issues for the successful implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and similar measures. The workshop will be interactive and will include a range of small-group mentored sessions.
Anti-Corruption and Transparency - Key Contacts
Chair
Mr SOH Kee Hean
Director
Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)
2 Lengkok Bahru
Singapore 159047
Tel: (65) 6490 0400
Fax: (65) 6270 0320
E-mail: Soh_kee_hean@cpib.gov.sg
APEC Secretariat
Mr Park Yung Suh
Director (Program)
Email: pys@apec.org
Reviewed on: 11 September 2009