International Anti-Corruption Commitments

Title of the document

Declaration on the Fight Against Foreign Bribery - Towards a New Era of Enforcement

(https://legalinstruments.oecd....)

Issuing body

OECD

Brief description

The Declaration invites OECD members to strengthen measures to combat foreign bribery. In addition, it recognises the importance of appealing to non-Parties that are major exporters and foreign investors to accede to and implement the Anti-Bribery Convention

Relevant excerpts

I. As we formally launch the fourth phase of country evaluations, the Ministers and Representatives of the Parties to the Anti-Bribery Convention:

1.REAFFIRM our commitment to the continued implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention, including the establishment of the liability of legal persons, and robust enforcement of the laws implementing the foreign bribery offence by all Parties. The Parties reiterate their commitment that investigations and prosecutions of the bribery of foreign public officials shall not be influenced by considerations of national economic interest, the potential effect upon relations with another State or the identity of the natural or legal persons involved.

3.ENCOURAGE all Parties to support each other’s law enforcement efforts and explore innovative methods to combat foreign bribery.

8.RECOGNISE the importance of appealing to non-Parties that are major exporters and foreign investors to accede to and implement the Anti-Bribery Convention, and providing for ongoing consultations with countries which have not yet adhered, in order to promote adherence to and implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention, the 2009 Recommendation and their follow-up.

II. The Ministers and Representatives of all the States joining this Declaration2, united in the global fight against foreign bribery and corruption:

1.REAFFIRM our commitment to fight foreign bribery and corruption in all its forms.

9.INVITE the business community to increase its cooperation with governments in the fight against foreign bribery and corruption and encourage wide implementation of the OECD 2010 Good Practice Guidance on Internal Controls, Ethics and Compliance developed by the Working Group.

10.ENCOURAGE ongoing international efforts to identify and promote good practice in prevention of foreign bribery and corruption, which may include promoting the use of anti-corruption compliance measures, codes of conduct, and appropriate safeguards in public procurement processes such as those related to organising major international events.