Commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day

By Michael Pedersen, Associate Director, Head of Partnering Against Corruption Initiative at the World Economic Forum

As part of the successful biannual meeting of signatories to the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI), there were a series of events bringing together business, government and civil society at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December.

Participants at the events included representatives from the International Chamber of Commerce, PACI, Transparency International and the United Nations Global Compact as well as representatives from governments and intergovernmental organizations. Key note speakers included Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General; Lanny Breuer, Assistant Attorney-General of the US Department of Justice; and Richard Samans, Managing Director, World Economic Forum and PACI Board Member.

The most important message coming out of the events was the importance of all players in society coming together to develop new solutions to engage in the fight against corruption by putting smart incentives and disincentives in place. Richard Samans pointed out, “Corruption is a challenge that cannot be fought successfully by governments, businesses or non-governmental organizations alone. We need to collaborate more closely to achieve the shift in behaviour we seek in both the public and private sectors and to recognize companies demonstrating leadership in the fight against corruption.”