Global (online) – 9 November 2023 - A growing number of companies are showcasing ethical leadership through the adoption of robust anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes. Having crafted an action plan based on a comprehensive risk assessment —with timelines, detailed roles and responsibilities and quantifiable targets for periodic evaluation, the subsequent phase entails transitioning from policy formulation to the active implementation of strategies and policies throughout the company and its entire value chain.
In the session “Implementing anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes in your company“ of the Global Webinar Series, co-organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), discussions underscored the importance of capacity-building, training and effective communication for the successful implementation of diverse anti-corruption policies. With the presence of business representatives, experts and other stakeholders from around the world, the session explored how companies can implement various business integrity strategies across the entire organization, minimizing exposure to corruption risks.
This session, moderated by Benjamin Mirichi from the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch at UNODC, offered live translation into French, Spanish and Portuguese, attracting over 1,000 participants from various locations across the globe. The first speaker, Fabián Espejo, Coordinator of Anti-Corruption Programmes on Collective Action at UNGC, discussed ‘’Key Issues in the Implementation of Anti-Corruption Programmes’’. Fabian emphasized the crucial need for companies to develop a clear roadmap for their anti-corruption programmes.He also highlighted the role of appropriate sanctions and incentives, a topic of focus in this year’s Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, in promoting business integrity as part of implementing anti-corruption programmes.
An overview of some strategies to combat and eradicate corruption in the Malaysian private sector was presented by Nurirdzuana Ismail, Head of the Integrity & Governance Unit at Maxis. She emphasized that a truly effective company needed to go beyond having the right policies, translating them into a culture of integrity.In her practical example, Nurirdzuana emphasized the importance of education through tailor-made training and communication, adding that clarity and simplicity is paramount in effectively communicating policies.
Hamad Hamad, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZAECA), the United Republic of Tanzania, highlighted collective action between the private sector and the government in the prevention of corruption and economic crimes in the country, giving an example of the collaboration in training and capacity-building of the private sector with ZAECA and the Zanzibar Revenue Authority. He also shared perspectives from small and medium sized enterprises on challenges faced in implementing anti-corruption programmes.
Fernanda Nan, Global ESG (environmental, social and governance) Compliance Manager at SOWITEC operation GmbH in Uruguay, shared her insights from her experience in the development and implementation of compliance policies from scratch since joining the company ten years ago. Based on the company’s experience in implementing anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes, it has actively participated in supporting the development of a draft national anti-corruption law in Uruguay that aims to regulate the private sector, complementing existing public sector legislation. She also narrated how her company implemented compliance measures through following the UNGC Management model with its six-step process.
Real-life cases shared by international business experts showcased the positive results of effectively implemented anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes in different parts of the world, proving that these practices can be adapted globally, benefiting both companies and countries.
Maintaining a robust integrity and compliance programme is imperative for businesses to ensure that crucial decisions align with corporate goals and strategy. Continuous implementation, execution and monitoring are essential for ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency. Oversight responsibilities are vested in senior leadership, such as the board of directors, the compliance committee or even the chief executive officer. This comprehensive approach is vital for effectively combating corruption in the private sector.
-----------
UNODC and the UN Global Compact co-hosted the first-ever Private Sector Forum on the margins of this year’s Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Atlanta, USA from 11 to 12 December 2023. Among the key topics of discussions were the advancement of existing anti-corruption commitments and shaping the global business integrity agenda for the next years.