A message from UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Sanda Ojiambo for International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December 2022
December 9th is International Anti-Corruption Day. The theme for 2022 is especially integral to the history and the work of the UN Global Compact: “The UN Convention Against Corruption at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption”.
The UN Convention Against Corruption is the only legally binding universal instrument against corruption, and a significant majority of UN Member States are parties to the Convention. This is why - two decades ago - the UN Global Compact created our Tenth Principle to support the mandate of the UNCAC and strengthened our partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime - one of our four key guardian agencies of the Compact. We remain dedicated to prioritizing the longevity, capacity, and development of our Anti-Corruption Programmes.
Echoed by SDG Target 16.5, the Tenth Principle of the UN Global Compact puts forth the steadfast reminder that “businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.” Corruption adds to the global polycrisis hindering further progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals - from environmental crimes contributing to excessive emissions to unclear and ineffective regulations enabling transnational corporate impunity for human rights abuses.
Over the past 20 years, the UN Convention Against Corruption has made and continues to make important strides as participating Member States learn from one another on how to better address instances of corruption in their respective governments, organizations, and communities. We call upon all sectors to work together in this ongoing fight against corruption as we collectively build towards a just and sustainable future for all.
In 2009, the UN Global Compact called on CEOs to take a stand for effective UNCAC.
In 2011, our Anti-Corruption Working Group convened at the Fourth Conference of the State of Parties to the UNCAC.
In 2014, businesses issue a call to action against corruption on the anniversary of the UN Global Compact’s 10th Principle.
In 2017, our Anti-Corruption Programmes team held a special event in advocacy of the UNCAC CoSP with the UNODC.
In 2021, our Anti-Corruption Programmes team in collaboration with the UNGA held the “Special Session for the General Assembly against Corruption” (UNGASS).
By the end of 2021, our Anti-Corruption Programmes team launched Anti-Corruption Collective Action Initiatives in select UN Global Compact Local Networks as well as a Playbook on Anti-Corruption Collective Action for all Global Compact participants. Success stories of Local Networks who have implemented Anti-Corruption Collective Action Initiatives coming soon!
New Global Webinar Series on Anti-Corruption Collective Action in the Private Sector in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):
In partnership with UNODC, the UNGC Anti-Corruption Programmes Team is launching a global webinar series, starting with the first chapter entitled “Tone from the Top: The role of leadership in establishing a culture of integrity in businesses”, to be held on Thursday, 15 December 2022.
The support and commitment of senior management, also referred to as “tone from the top”, is an essential determinant of the organizational culture. The tone from the top demonstrates the commitment of the company to anti-corruption and constitutes a key element for collective action efforts. This webinar will explore the extent to which leadership can influence and enhance business integrity.
Free registration can be found here for the webinar series until 13 December 2022. We strongly encourage your attendance.
New UN Global Compact Academy E-Learning Course on "Fighting Corruption through Collective Action":
The United Nations Global Compact collaborates with various organizations - inside and outside the United Nations - in promoting Collective Action against corruption. Our efforts aim to bring business, government, and civil society together to advance the international anti-corruption agenda and enhance integrity and transparency across sectors.
To further disseminate training on anti-corruption collective action, UN Global Compact Anti-Corruption Programmes in collaboration with our UN Global Compact Academy has now launched a new e-learning course entitled "Fighting Corruption Through Collective Action: a six-step approach".
Course title: Fighting corruption through Collective Action: a six-step approach
We urge our participants across 160 countries to proactively develop policies and initiatives to address corruption within their organizations and communities. To build toward a better future for all, we must work collectively to eliminate corruption at all levels everywhere.
Additional resources from other teams at the United Nations Global Compact that support UNGC Anti-Corruption Programmes in our work to uphold the Tenth Principle: Communication on Progress Reporting
For business participants of the UN Global Compact, the Communication on Progress Reporting team has further improved relevant data collection and knowledge sharing within the Anti-Corruption section of the annual Communication on Progress (CoP) Reports and is launching the Enhanced Communication on Progress next year.
Transformational Governance
To further an ambitious, holistic and rights-based approach to anti-corruption and other SDG 16 targets, the UN Global Compact Transformational Governance team launched the SDG 16 Business Framework: Inspiring Transformational Governance.
