Anti-Corruption Call to Action

The Call to Action was put forth as an appeal by the private sector to Governments to promote anti-corruption measures and to implement policies that will establish systems of good governance. The Call to Action urged Governments to underscore anti-corruption and good governance as fundamental pillars of a sustainable and inclusive global economy and include them as important tenets of the now-adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Call to Action was launched in 2014 and continued its advocacy efforts until the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Over 250 companies and investors worldwide have signed on to the Anti-Corruption Call to Action.

Why were companies called upon to sign the Call to Action?

  • Demonstrate leadership on integrity issues
  • Gain a competitive advantage in attracting sustainability-minded investors, employees and consumers
  • Create a level playing field that encourages fair competition in the marketplace
  • Contribute to the implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption laws and regulations
  • Eliminating corruption requires collective action by all stakeholders. By signing this Call to Action, companies not only encouraged Governments to take action on corruption, they also inspired other companies to follow their lead.

What was the business-led appeal to Governments?

  1. Fully implement and enforce the tenets of the UN Convention against Corruption by strengthening anti-corruption policies, laws and enforcement mechanisms to create a level playing field and incentivize good behavior
  2. Make a commitment to reduce corruption risks from procurement and contract processes of large-scale projects that are designed to support sustainable development
  3. Commit to engaging in competitive and transparent procurement processes through public advertising of all Government procurement cases
  4. Achieve greater transparency in relation to revenues received by Governments from private sector companies
  5. Support corporate efforts to enhance anti-corruption implementation, corporate governance, innovative collective action, and public-private partnership initiatives

How did Companies support the Call to Action?

  1. Writing a letter stating the company’s support of the Call to Action and its commitment to prevent corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery
  2. Having a letter of support signed by a C-suite level executive or Board Member responsible for corporate governance
  3. Send signed letter to anticorruption@unglobalcompact.org
  4. Promoting the Call to Action on their own website and social media accounts by using the hashtag #BizAgainstCorruption and the thumbnail

How was the Call to Action promoted?

  1. The Call to Action was widely disseminated to reaffirm the private sector’s commitment to collaborate and end corruption
  2. Global Compact Local Networks disseminated it locally to spread awareness among national Governments
  3. The Call to Action was presented at various international events to highlight anti-corruption and effective governance as fundamental pillars of sustainable development. Key events included:
    • Global Compact+15: Business as a force for good
    • Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption
    • Other UN and intergovernmental meetings and events


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