Anti-corruption commitments for developed countries
Abstract
Query
We are interested in measures and approaches that fall under the category of \"anticorruption through the North\", i.e. actions developed countries like Germany could/should take in their own country to reduce the likelihood of corruption occurring in partner countries. How well is Germany doing?
Summary
In an increasingly globalised world, there is a broad consensus that developed countries have a key responsibility to prevent international corruption and promote a better use of resources. Three major levels of interventions can be envisaged in this regard. The first level of intervention consists of addressing the supply side of corruption by applying global anti-corruption conventions and initiatives at home. The aim is to tackle bribery and corruption in the private sector as well as to address weak transparency and accountability in international trade, taxation and export credit regimes that may facilitate corruption. Targeting the supply-side of corruption can be done by supporting the ratification and full implementation of legally binding international anti-corruption instruments or supporting voluntary initiatives such as the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, the UN Global Compact or the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Germany has somewhat of a mixed record in this regard. While the country is an active enforcer of the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, it is one of only two G8 countries that has yet to ratify the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Citation
Chêne, M. Anti-corruption commitments for developed countries. U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, CMI, Bergen, Norway (2011) 11 pp. [U4 Expert Answer 266]
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