In an increasingly globalised world, international conventions play a key role in addressing the cross-border nature of corruption. Without international standards and binding commitments, corruption can run unchecked across borders and find safe havens in countries with lax rules poor enforcement mechanisms. International conventions provide a legal framework for action – at a global level or regional level.

Key anti-corruption conventions and forums relevant to the Asia Pacific region include:

• ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative: endorsed by 28 countries and economies of the Asia Pacific region who work towards the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Action plan for Asia Pacific.
• OECD Anti-Bribery Convention: combats the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions.
• UN Convention against Corruption: obliges countries to implement a wide and detailed range of anti-corruption measures affecting laws, institutions and practices in the public and private sector.
• Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC): in agreeing that corruption was a “serious threat to good governance and deterred investment," APEC leaders endorsed the Santiago Commitment to Fight Corruption and Ensure Transparency and the APEC Course of Action on Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Transparency.

However, the adoption of an anti-corruption convention is only the first step. Once agreements have been negotiated, they must be sufficiently implemented by all participating countries.

Following this, in order for conventions to have their intended impact, governments must translate their commitments into meaningful reforms. This requires research into how far countries are meeting convention requirements, and what improvements are needed. It also means introducing changes in practice, including guaranteeing respect for institutional independence, allocating adequate resources, appointing appropriate personnel, carrying out training, making information accessible and involving the public in deciding how conventions are put into place.

After successfully campaigning for the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption by the Korean government, TI Korea is now monitoring its implementation.

Since 2004, TI Philippines has organised celebrations to increase recognition of the UN Convention Against Corruption as part of the International Anti-corruption Day. These events have encouraged civil society to create a monitoring compliance mechanism the country’s ratification of the UN Convention.

TI Chinese Taipei has recently begun a research project sponsored by the Ministry of Justice to study the existing gapsbetween the provisions found in the UN Convention against Corruption and Taiwan’s anti-corruption legislation.