The first Summit of Americas took place in 1994. Since then all states have committed to reducing corruption throughout the region. However, recent research by Transparency International (TI) shows that many countries in the Americas are struggling with rampant corruption.

Corruption has gone hand in hand with persistently high levels of inequality across the region, in spite of widespread robust economic growth in the last few years. Nearly 200 million people, a third of the population of the hemisphere, live in poverty with 13 per cent of them surviving amidst extreme poverty, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. Weak institutions and low levels of governance threaten efforts to promote economic equality and sustainable development, and jeopardise the likelihood of the region meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Such inequality has fuelled crime, instability and insecurity, which are acute problems troubling several countries in the region. These obstacles cannot be removed as long as a lack of accountability and poor governance reign.

Progress to date

From the very first Summit of the Americas in Miami to the recent meeting in Port of Spain, corruption has been recognised as a key challenge by heads of state and reflected in each Declaration and Plans of Action.

Almost all Organization of American States (OAS) member states have signed and ratified two key legal instruments that provide a foundation for preventing corruption: the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC) and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Most signatory countries have joined the follow-up mechanism of the Inter-American Convention, a crucial step for the treaty to become truly effective.

However, meaningful implementation of the IACAC and the UNCAC in the region has been uneven. In the lead-up to the Port of Spain meeting, TI evaluated whether promises to fight corruption have been effectively translated into action. Nine countries were assessed (Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago) on the extent of advances on actions and goals set out during the previous four summits of the Americas. The report looks at numerous indicators; from the country’s status on ratifying anti-corruption conventions to the level of implementation of recommendations put forward by the committee of experts within the OAS responsible for reviewing implementation.

States that have signed on to the IACAC have an obligation to report their advances on anti-corruption. The TI report though, found serious gaps in the implementation of anti-corruption commitments, particularly as there is lack of coordination among regional and national authorities responsible for follow-up of Summit mandates and the implementation of the Inter-American Convention.

On the implementation of Inter-American Convention recommendations: the nine countries evaluated received a total of 249 recommendations, from which only a little more than half (148) were acted upon, yet sufficient measures were taken in only 20 per cent of these.

Overall, anti-corruption may be formulated into law but never make it into actual policy, remaining a dead letter in some countries. Civil society participation is not integrated into implementation reviews and is even dependent on domestic legislation in some countries, which severely limits independent and appropriate monitoring.

Round five: Trinidad and Tobago

The summit Declaration reflects key points raised during civil society forums held during the past year, in which TI actively participated.

The importance of transparency, accountability and fighting corruption is recognised in the Declaration, from promoting energy security to strengthening public security. Reiterating the value of anti-corruption conventions, the Declaration notes that “We reaffirm our commitment to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, and declare our support for the ratification and effective enforcement of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.” Similarly, the commitment to make important progress on “providing access for our citizens to public information, particularly on government revenues, expenditures and budgets” is welcomed.

While it is a meaningful that such promises have been made, TI’s report underlines the need that these words must now be translated into effective action.

Urgent action needed

As a result of the current economic crisis, a slowdown in regional growth, a continued rise in unemployment and a decline in remittances –a top source of income for many Latin American countries- the poor will be left in urgent need of safety nets.

Governments across the region will have to respond to the bleak economic forecast by ensuring that social programmes are handled with integrity, transparency and accountability, so they function effectively and deliver such vital services as health and education.

For stimulus efforts to work, increases in funding through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank must be accompanied by accountability mechanisms and fiscal transparency requirements in order to truly help those in most need. Increased money means increased accountability and opportunities for citizens to see that steps are being taken to help them in their daily struggle to cope with the global economic burden.