CEOs Call For Greater Adherence to UN Anti-Corruption Convention

Geneva, 7 May 2009 – Chief executives from some of the world’s leading companies have called on governments to more effectively and robustly implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the CEOs threw their support behind the world’s only universal anti-corruption instrument, stating that it “holds the promise of curbing corruption and creates a level playing field for all participants in the global economy”. They praised the Convention, describing it as “an essential instrument in the fight against corruption”, but they underlined the need for the establishment of an implementation review mechanism at the next Conference of States Parties to be held in Doha in November 2009.

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“Especially now, in a period of deep financial and economic turmoil, an effective implementation review mechanism is essential. The economic crisis will inevitably place severe strains on worldwide competition, threatening an erosion of ethical standards that will be hard to reverse,” they warned. They cautioned that any further delay in establishing an effective review mechanism (as called for in the Convention) “would damage the credibility of the Convention and its ability to build momentum in overcoming corruption”.

“With this letter, the business community offers a pragmatic view on essential regulatory measures to fight corruption at an international level, and is sending a clear message to governments that the private and public sectors can and should work closely together to address corruption” said Richard Samans, Managing Director, World Economic Forum and Board Member of the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI).

The CEOs provided ideas on how the mechanism should work. They highlighted three factors: adequate and dependable long-term funding; country visits with peer reviewers from other countries; and a transparent process with input from the private sector and other stakeholders, and with published reports.

"I deeply appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the corporate community in this critical matter," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in response to the letter by the CEOs. "The business advocacy for an effective review mechanism and the growing number of States adopting and implementing the Convention are evidence of a shared commitment to tackle corruption."

The letter was written at the invitation of the four global, multi-industry anti-corruption initiatives addressing the corporate sector: the International Chamber of Commerce, Transparency International, the United Nations Global Compact, and the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI).

The United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted in December 2003, has been signed by 140 countries and ratified by 136 to date.

Source: WEF