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Why corporate integrity is more crucial now than ever.  “Integrity is more important today than it has ever been. As companies anticipate and respond to current challenges, such as by changing suppliers and shifting priorities, it’s essential that compliance standards are upheld. If they’re not, companies are exposing themselves to major risk. In times of crisis, personal conduct can be the first standard to slip, evidenced by the latest insights gleaned from thousands of companies that participated in EY’s Global Integrity Report 2020.”     Andrew Gordon/ EY:  https://www.ey.com/en_gl/forensic-integrity-services/why-corporate-integrity-is-more-crucial-now-than-ever         (Nepal) Controversial provisions in corruption-related bills to be revised but private sector to remain under the purview of anti-graft body.  “The Standing Committee of the ruling Nepal Communist...

Ethical companies that respect human rights when lobbying will best survive the post-COVID 19 recession (opinion).   “Businesses should carefully consider the potential for corruption risks in their COVID-19-related lobbying activities. The disruption and distraction caused by the pandemic, combined with the need to expedite key decisions, has created the conditions in which practices such as irresponsible lobbying can thrive. This carries the very real risk of causing irreparable damage to a business’s reputation and can lead to hugely damaging legal and financial consequences in the medium to long term.”     Rocio Paniagua / Business & Human Rights Resource Center:  https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/ethical-companies-that-respect-human-rights-when-lobbying-will-best-survive-the-post-covid-19-recession       Integrity pacts: an old tool teaches us new tricks.  “C...

Thailand targets  narco  millions hidden in gold, steel and crypto.  “On Friday (26 June), Thai authorities were set to burn seized drugs worth $1.7 billion -- another batch worth $800 million was incinerated in Myanmar -- during an annual parade of law enforcement successes across the region. But the record amounts are just a sliver of the money on the table for Asia's meth lords, who emerge from drug crackdowns by raising production and piercing borders with corruption. UNODC estimates they are making $30-$60 billion a year and are the biggest meth producers in the world.”     Bangkok Post:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1941520/thailand-targets-narco-millions-hidden-in-gold-steel-and-crypto       Former TI-M chief: Combating public, private corruption vital to stop smuggling.  “Smuggling activities in Malaysia were enabled by corruption in both the publi...

COVID-19 – the Pacific response: 24 June.  The legislation which replaced it, the National Health Emergency Act 2020, has been  criticised  this week by anti-corruption agency Transparency International PNG, with critics claiming that it restricts citizens’ rights for an indefinite period with no parliamentary oversight.    https://www.policyforum.net/covid-19-the-pacific-response-24-june/           PNG:    Australia must toughen up as well as step up in Papua New Guinea.  Legislation to establish the long-promised, and long-delayed, PNG anti-corruption commission is now very close to becoming a reality.    https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-must-toughen-up-as-well-as-step-up-in-papua-new-guinea/         PNG parliament speaker resigns from party.  The MP for Manus recently  acknowledged fraud a...

Regional Webinar: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Supply Chain . Join UNDP for an interactive discussion bringing in different perspective on the critical enablers for creating greater diversity and inclusion in the supply chain and how these measures advance the gender equality agenda Date/time: Jun 30, 2020 11:00 AM (ICT) Welcome Remarks by Koh Miyaoi, UNDP Regional Gender Advisor Panel Discussions with Ms. Victoria Veloso, Procurement Transformation Leader, Johnson & Johnson and Ms. Anusuya Krishnan, Executive Council, National Association of Women’s Entrepreneur, Malaysia. Closing Remarks by Dr. Harpreet Kaur, UNDP Business & Human Rights Specialist.   Register now: https://undp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ixziPqGjRYW6UM7fogoJhg

Fresh impetus essential for anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan.  “Speaking at the Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) event, UNAMA’s Rule of Law chief, Romana Schweiger, called for new resolve in anti-corruption efforts, highlighting the Mission’s latest annual anti-corruption report and stressing the UN’s full support to coherent government efforts. ‘We advise the Afghan government to develop a new, realistic and long-term strategy against corruption, building on past achievements in a consultative process with all stakeholders, including civil society,’ said Schweiger.”     Relief Web/ UNAMA:  https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistans-fight-against-corruption-crucial-peace-and-prosperity-june-2020       Bangkok school accused of cafeteria corruption by watchdog group.  “One Bangkok school is under fire after it was revealed that ‘...

Former Pakistani PM Abbasi arrested by anti-graft agency.  “Pakistan's anti-corruption agency arrested former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday (Jul 18), drawing a furious response from opposition parties, which accused the government of trying to silence its opponents. The National Accountability Bureau said in a statement Abbasi had been arrested in a case that was opened last year over a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project. The arrest, as Abbasi was on his way to a news conference in the eastern city of Lahore, adds to a political scene already thick with accusations of corruption and abuse of office with opposition parties planning a day of protest next week.”     CNA:  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/former-pakistani-pm-abbasi-arrested-by-anti-graft-agency-11732902       Cambodia speeds up business registrations with new system.  Cambodia has la...

COVID-19 increases pressure on Myanmar firms to improve governance (opinion).  "Myanmar companies need to think about good governance not only in terms of crisis management but also to adopt a long-term view of benefits. Current business priorities tend to  centre  around capturing efficiency gains, obtaining licenses and coordinating with authorities to shape industry policies. Small- to medium-sized enterprises try to gain a foothold in the market and typically have to commit significant resources to obtain licenses and maintain operations fitted to the local market."     Fabian  Jurewecz  / Myanmar Times:    https://www.mmtimes.com/news/covid-19-increases-pressure-myanmar-firms-improve-governance.html         Blockchain technology to prevent corruption in Covid-19 response: how can it help overcome risks? (blog)  "Under the Covid-19 pandemic, finan...

Money laundering and illicit financial flows – the 'getaway car' of corruption.  "Combatting money laundering and flows of illicit finance is central to the global response to corruption. These are the means by which criminals enjoy the fruits of their wrongdoing. Yet development agencies remain relative newcomers to the field, not least because the anti-money laundering/illicit finance problem presents major challenges to donors' ways of working. There also continues to be much debate over what should be included in the term 'illicit financial flows' – and over methods to measure them. Without better means for countries to know how each is affected by illicit finance, policy responses risk not fitting the actual problem."     Phil Mason / U4:  https://www.u4.no/publications/twenty-years-with-anti-corruption-part-5       PhilHealth chief denies corruption allegations anew.  "No officials have defrauded t...

Anticorruption fight at risk as Supreme Court acquits another high-profile graft defendant.  "The (Indonesia) Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has once again hit a wall in its fight against corruption after the Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of the former head of state-run electricity company PLN,  Sofyan Basir, the latest graft suspect to evade conviction. His acquittal was formalized in a court ruling dated June 16, in which the Supreme Court rejected the KPK's appeal against a not-guilty verdict handed down by the Jakarta Corruption Court last year. Previously, KPK investigators detained the former PLN president director for allegedly receiving bribes in relation to a coal-fired power plant (PLTU) project in Riau province. "     Jakarta Post:  https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/06/19/anticorruption-fight-at-risk-as-supreme-court-acquits-another-high-profile-graft-defendant.html     ...