# Tackling grand corruption impunity URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/tackling-grand-corruption-impunity Type: Publication or report Published: 2023-11-27 Updated: 2023-12-11 --- 27 November 2023 Grand corruption is the abuse of high-level power that benefits the few at the expense of the many. It involves high-level officials, is carried out on a large scale, and causes serious and widespread harm. Despite the gravity of the crimes, the power exercised by the perpetrators often enables them to escape accountability. Some of the most infamous cases of grand corruption have featured outright embezzlement of vast amounts of public funds in countries ranging from Nigeria to Peru to the Philippines. The amounts misappropriated were stashed in foreign secrecy jurisdictions and used to consolidate political and economic power. Grand corruption is an organised crime that separates the state from the people it should serve, causing massive harm. The preamble to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) refers to corruption involving vast quantities of assets that threaten the political stability and sustainable development of those states. By diverting state resources and undermining state functions, grand corruption schemes produce pervasive violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the collective rights to self-determination and development. Based on experience to date, the paper identifies special national and international measures that would increase accountability of grand corruption offenders and improve remedies for the harm they cause. Many of the special measures discussed would be most effective in combination and if anchored in an international legal framework. Some of the measures would also be suitable for international corruption cases that do not rise to the level of grand corruption. ### Related publications ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Corruption Perceptions Index 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/corruption-perceptions-index-2025) Publication • 10 February 2026 The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 182 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. ## [Corruption Perceptions Index 2023](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/corruption-perceptions-index-2023) Publication • 30 January 2024 The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. ## [Tackling Grand Corruption Impunity: Proposals for a Definition and Special Measures](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/tackling-grand-corruption-impunity-proposals-for-definition-and-special-measures) Publication • 06 September 2023 This working paper provides an extensive overview of measures that would be most effective in tackling grand corruption, relying on expert opinion and available evidence. ## Priorities - [Grand corruption](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/grand-corruption) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/20231211-Grand-Corruption-COSP.PNG?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Tackling-Grand-Corruption-Impunity-Written-Submission-to-UNCAC-CoSP.pdf)