A global forum

Considered the world's most prominent anti-corruption forum, the IACC, now in its 25th year, brought together more than 1500 participants from 135 countries under the banner “Global Transparency: Fighting corruption for a sustainable future.” From 30 October to 2 November, participants explored the role of good governance and accountability in the four thematic streams: peace and security, natural resources and energy, climate change and sustainable globalisation.

The main plenary sessions were complemented by more than 50 workshops and a host of special sessions which examined such diverse issues as strategies against gendered corruption and using social media in the fight against corruption.

Prominent speakers included: HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan; Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank; Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission; Kostas Karamanlis, Prime Minister of Greece; Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International; and Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana.

The road map

During the conference, participants noted the strengths and successes of the anti-corruption movement while laying bare any weaknesses, vulnerabilities or unexploited potential that hamper the movement’s development.

The long-term importance of the UN Convention against Corruption was recognised as the global, comprehensive anti-corruption framework for preventing and combating corruption, as well as the pressing need for greater political will for a strong review mechanism.

Similarly, the need for greater civil society engagement on issues ranging from asset recovery to political finance was voiced by many, and governments were called upon to ensure the room and the liberty necessary for civil society to operate. The need for civil society to bolster its own governance was also called for.

Inter-disciplinary cooperation was identified as a priority for the anti-corruption movement, with the recognition that the linkages between corruption and climate change, and corruption and human rights, needed to be more fully explored and integrated.

The global financial crisis played a ubiquitous role in many of the conference’s discussions. Concern was expressed that the crisis poses a threat as companies try to reduce costs and governments cut development assistance, further burdening the poorest countries. It was, however, also seen as an opportunity for the anti-corruption movement, with regards to a closer focus on corporate governance and financial regulation, particularly on a global scale. Above all, pledges were made to take every measure to prevent the financial crisis from undermining progress made in the fight against corruption.

A collective commitment

The Athens Agenda, the final conference communiqué, closed the 13th IACC with a call to put an end to the misery, alienation and instability that corruption breeds.

“In the spirit of ethical inquiry and justice, the global anti-corruption community today sets forth with delegates returning to their countries, rich and poor, carrying ideas, tools and practical solutions to prevent and stop corruption,” said the Honourable Justice Barry O’Keefe, Chair of the IACC Council on the conclusion of the conference. “It is imperative that governments, business and civil society work together to fight corruption to ensure a cleaner, healthier and fairer world”, added O’Keefe.

The Athens Agenda recognised the need for the anti-corruption movement to recognise diversity, the role of power structures and mechanisms of exclusion in order to remain relevant and effective. Furthermore, that effort must be made to reach and mobilise people from all quarters, and from all age groups. Informed and empowered citizens are the most powerful tools against corruption.

The reality that corruption harms all people and ultimately all communities, but the poorest pay the heaviest price was echoed throughout the conference. To secure their sustainable livelihoods was seen as the first priority, starting with a redoubling of efforts to give them a stronger voice.

The declaration concludes that, “on a global scale, our fates are intimately linked.” As they returned to their home countries, participants committed themselves “fervently to fighting corruption in order to guarantee our common sustainable future, so that we can hand coming generations a cleaner, healthier and fairer world than the one we inherited.”

* The 14th IACC will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 - 6 November, 2010 *