Collective Action and Sector Approaches Called for at Anti-Corruption Meeting

(New Delhi, 10 April 2013) – The 12th Meeting of the UN Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle Against Corruption has brought focus to wide-ranging private sector efforts to advance the anti-corruption agenda – with a spotlight on the India experience.

Jointly organized by the UN Global Compact and the Global Compact Local Network India, the two-day meeting, which concluded today, served as a platform for Indian business leaders to interact with representatives from Global Compact Local Networks, global corporations, civil society and academia. Over 100 participants discussed challenges faced by businesses as they implement their commitment to the 10th principle, and explored opportunities to involve multiple stakeholders to bring anti-corruption action to scale.

Collective action featured prominently as a key incentive setter that can drive widespread action on anti-corruption. Progress on the Global Compact’s collective action country projects was presented by the Global Compact Local Network India, the Egyptian Junior Business association and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. The roles of additional stakeholders – academics, development agencies, Local Networks and Governments – were examined for their potential in helping to build scale for these collective action projects. (See Battling Corruption with Collective Action.)

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry – one of the fastest growing industry sectors in India – was noted for its potential to help tackle corruption by providing enhanced access to information. Co-organized with Deloitte, the ICT session also profiled specific solutions to corruption in the private sector by improving detection and monitoring of incidents through automation and technological innovation.

The meeting also helped to spotlight the need for good governance as new global development priorities are established. A global Call to Action was launched by the Global Compact to mobilize business to commit to anti-corruption, particularly in the area of procurement, and to promote good governance and the rule of law in the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Recognizing the complementarity among anti-corruption initiatives, the Working Group meeting highlighted close collaboration between the UN Global Compact and other organizations. The International Business Leaders Forum and Global Compact Local Network India convened an evening event to engage business in B20 anti-corruption processes. The Global Compact and the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Transparency Initiative (PACI) jointly convened a session on global collaboration. Over the course of the two days, speakers from UNODC, UNDP, and Transparency International helped to contribute to deepening participants’ grasp of latest anti-corruption trends.

• Learn more about the Global Compact’s Anti-Corruption efforts.
• View meeting agenda and speakers

Media Contact

Kristen Coco
UN Global Compact
Public Affairs and Media Relations
cocok@un.org