# Urging leaders to act against corruption in the Americas URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/leadership-corruption-in-the-americas Type: News Published: 2018-04-13 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/AmericasSummit_PeruPalace_2018.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1280&h=720) 13 April 2018 This week, presidents, prime ministers and other senior government officials from across North and South America are gathering in Lima, Peru for the eighth [Summit of the Americas](http://www.viiicumbreperu.org/us/welcome/). The hot topic? How governments can combat corruption at the highest levels throughout the region. ## A region at a turning point against corruption? Convened every three years and hosted by the Organization of American States (OAS), this year’s summit highlights the theme, “*Democratic Governance against Corruption,*” which also serves as a driver for any political commitments and outcomes from the event. ## Advocating for change Kicking off the week, Transparency International along with our chapters in [Peru](http://www.proetica.org.pe/), [Venezuela](https://transparencia.org.ve/), [Brazil](https://www.facebook.com/transparenciainternacionalbrasil/) and other Latin American and Caribbean chapters, [hosted a series of anti-corruption side events](https://www.transparency.org/news/event/gobernabilidad_democratica_lucha_anticorrupcion) for participating civil society organisations (CSOs) to highlight a way forward in the fight against corruption in Latin America. As part of these efforts, chapters prepared [several key policy recommendations](https://www.transparency.org/files/content/event/Posicio%CC%81n_de_TI_-_Cumbre_de_las_Americas_Cumbre.pdf), and urged governments to make anti-corruption a priority and promote transparency and inclusivity across the region. At a parallel [CEO summit](https://events.iadb.org/calendar/event/17640?lang=en) organised by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), President Luis Alberto Moreno of IADB quoted our chair, Delia Ferreira Rubio, in his opening remarks, citing her [“4 I” formula](https://www.instagram.com/p/BhbDJfIgLgo/?taken-by=transparency_international) for fighting corruption: more information, more integrity, less impunity and less indifference. ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/AmericasSummit_2018_3.jpeg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) ## Prioritising integrity [Given recent corruption scandals in Latin America](https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/pardon_me_presidential_clemency_and_impunity_for_grand_corruption), including the highly publicized [Lava Jato](https://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/transparency_international_pide_mas_de_accion_en_el_caso_lava_jato) case, which exposed a massive bribery and money laundering scheme by a Brazilian construction cartel and is also now a [Netflix series](https://voices.transparency.org/the-5-best-netflix-series-about-corruption-that-arent-house-of-cards-5ef2a2def63), the chapters’ recommendations focus on three strategic areas: political campaign financing, public procurement and justice systems. During the course of the week’s events, a clear priority emerged within these three areas. Latin America should move towards a system of integrity that includes the creation or strengthening of institutions, as well as transparent, inclusive and democratic values and practices. In order for a new integrity system to be successful, it must also be sustainable. This is the only way to prevent reoccurring scandals. ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/AmericasSummit_2018_2.jpeg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) ## Top policy recommendations To truly turn the tide against corruption in Latin America, many improvements and changes are necessary. Some of our key recommendations include: - Improve national oversight by creating **an autonomous and independent institution to oversee all public and private resources for political parties and campaigns**. Include proper financial, human and technological resources to **empower** this entity. - Institute **citizen consultation and monitoring mechanisms** during the public procurement process and encourage public authorities to respond to relevant citizen recommendations. - Strengthen **independent, transparent, efficient justice systems** capable of cooperating **beyond national borders** to investigate, prosecute and punish corruption in the region. For a full list of recommendations, please download our [position statement](https://www.transparency.org/files/content/event/Posicio%CC%81n_de_TI_-_Cumbre_de_las_Americas_Cumbre.pdf) (Spanish). 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