# Recommendations on Beneficial Ownership Transparency for Open Government Partnership National Action Plans URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/recommendations-on-beneficial-ownership-transparency-for-ogp-national-actio Type: Publication or report Published: 2018-07-17 Updated: 2020-06-02 --- 17 July 2018 Anonymous companies underpin corrupt and criminal financial transactions. They were used in 70 per cent of grand corruption cases reviewed by the World Bank and are one of the oldest tricks in the book for moving, laundering and spending dirty money. Governments are ending anonymous company ownership by creating open, public registers of the true “beneficial” owners of companies – the individuals who ultimately control or profit from a company. Open registers of beneficial owners make it harder for corrupt individuals to hide their connection to illicit flows of capital out of a national budget. They can also help authorities recover stolen assets, prosecute criminals and deter others. Beneficial ownership transparency contributes to sustainable development, a fairer business environment and increased public trust. This briefing discusses: \- why beneficial ownership is a priority for Open Government Partnership (OGP) members \- good practice for creating open registers \- existing and model commitments in national action plans ### Related publications ## [Protecting civic space in extractives governance: Towards enhanced EITI engagement on civic space](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/protecting-civic-space-in-extractives-governance) Publication • 05 October 2026 This brief evaluates the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative's (EITI) existing approach to addressing civic space challenges arising in EITI implementing countries and… ## [Ending Debt Secrecy: Recommendations to the G20 on Anti-Corruption in Sovereign Borrowing and Lending](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/ending-debt-secrecy-g20-recommendations) Publication • 04 September 2026 Recommendations to the G20 to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in sovereign borrowing and lending ## [Getting Political Finance Right: Preventing corruption with UNCAC CoSP Resolution 11/7](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/getting-political-finance-right) Publication • 15 May 2026 Resolution 11/7 is the world’s furthest-reaching consensus yet on preventing and combating corruption enabled by money in elections and politics. ## [High Integrity Talks: How COP31 Presidency can set a new standard for climate leadership](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/high-integrity-talks) Publication • 11 May 2026 How COP31 Presidency can set a new standard for climate leadership ## Projects - [Anti-corruption in focus: Thematic leadership for the OGP](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/anti-corruption-focus-thematic-leadership-ogp) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Screen-Shot-2020-06-02-at-16.55.41.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Rec-on-Beneficial-Ownership-Transparency-for-OGP-action-plans-FINAL.pdf)