AP-INTACT

Business Integrity Trends in Asia-Pacific: Beyond the Covid-19 Crisis (Virtual roundtable).  This session on 31 March at 13:00 (GMT+7) will bring together representatives from different sectors to discuss examples and exchanges ideas about innovative anti-corruption initiatives that can help companies from big to small, weather the damages of the pandemic and maximize the impact of their companies by doing business with integrity. Register via the link below. OECD: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aKJIzd7kTIS9AvVRK_iB9A      Local products come first (Editorial).  “These policy instruments are designed to enforce the government policy of local content requirements for the various segments of the manufacturing sector…The next concern is how the government will ensure that competition between domestic suppliers who benefit from the local content requirement is fair and transparent, not exploited by brokers in collusion wit...

DOH wants vaccine line-jumpers punished; 5 mayors must explain.  “According to [Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III], local officials who skip the line can be prosecuted for violating the graft and corrupt practices law. Dexter Cabalza and Patricia Denise M. Chiu/Inquirer: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1411062/doh-wants-vaccine-line-jumpers-punished-5-mayors-must-explain     Jokowi’s contradictions and the struggle to remake Indonesia (Commentary).  “Lauded as an outsider who would shake up the corrupt, nepotistic system, he has become the consummate transactional politician, with his once-shy family even following him into politics.” Ben Bland/Lowy Institute: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/jokowi-s-contradictions-and-struggle-remake-indonesia        MDEC signs declaration of corruption-free pledge, commits to strong corporate governance.  “The Malaysia Digital Economy ...

Decline in corruption gave 100bps boost to India's GDP in 2012-18: SBI Ecowrap.  “India's economic growth increased 100 basis points (bps) between FY13 and FY19, courtesy a 16 point improvement in its ranking on corruption perception Index, a report [Ecowrap report by State Bank of India] shows” Business Today: https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/decline-in-corruption-gave-100bps-boost-to-india-gdp-in-2012-18-sbi-ecowrap/story/434557.html     Tackling corruption in a time of crisis.  “Corruption can be systemic in countries where illegal harvest is common. Serious allegations of bribery and fraud occur at all levels of governance; from issuance of harvest permits, to officials checking trucks at checkpoints, to government ministers with authority over all stages of the production and transport of wildlife products.” Willow Outhwaite/TRAFFIC: https://www.traffic.org/news/tackling-corruption-in-a-time-of-cr...

REMINDER: Impact of corruption and integrity on COVID-19 response and recovery (Virtual event).  The virtual interactive circle today at 9PM (GMT +8) will will reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year from the perspective of anti-corruption and integrity, and discuss the various strategies undertaken by governments, civil society, international organizations and the donor community in integrating anti-corruption in and beyond COVID-19 response and recovery. This session is organized by UNDP, Knowledge Partner of the virtual 2021 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum. OECD: https://oecd-events.org/gacif2021/session/26285452-3c80-eb11-b566-000d3a20ecf5     Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy and Compliances- India.   “In recent years, anti-bribery and anti-corruption regime [in India] went through a massive change…The change in attitudes towards corruption and corporate responsibility movements has also heightened bus...

Gender Diversity for a Fair Business Environment (Event recording).  On International Women’s Day (8 March) UNDP in Asia and the Pacific’s high-level panel discussed how business integrity goes well beyond anti-corruption compliance, and touches upon diversity, inclusion and gender equal leadership. The event recording can be accessed via the link below. At the event, we also launched our new report, Gender Diversity and Inclusion for a Fair Business Environment: An ASEAN Narrative”. Direct link to report: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-governance/gender-diversity-and-inclusion-for-a-fair-business-environment.html UNDP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHQ7AQLGRA&ab_channel=FairBizASEAN     Former Sorsogon governor convicted of graft.  “The Sandiganbayan [Philippine anti-graft court] convicted former Sorsogon [province] Gov. Raul Lee [to 12 years’ imprisonment] over the irregula...

Eyes on 2030: Holding power to account for the common good (Blog).  “It is timely that this year we launch our Strategy 2030: Holding Power to Account for the Common Good. It is a strategy dedicated to leading the next decade’s fight against corruption by showing what it will take to achieve a more positive future for all.” Delia Ferreira Rubio and Rueben L. Lifuka/Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/eyes-on-2030-holding-power-to-account-for-the-common-good     The corruption link (Opinion).  “Corruption reduces the efficacy of investments on climate resilience. It contributes to the climate vulnerability of voters, consumers and citizens at large, particularly the poor, women and minorities…Corruption and political capture not only limits the quality of decision-making, it also obstructs effective climate actions and the strength of related institutions.” Ali Tauqeer Sheikh/Dawn: ...

Impact of corruption and integrity on COVID-19 response and recovery (Virtual event).  This workshop will discuss the impact of corruption and integrity on COVID-19 response and recovery, and the importance of integrating anti-corruption in and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This session is organized by UNDP, Knowledge Partner of the virtual 2021 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum. OECD: https://oecd-events.org/gacif2021/session/26285452-3c80-eb11-b566-000d3a20ecf5     Beneficial ownership data in procurement (Policy brief).  [Beneficial Ownership (BO) data improves public procurement processes and objectives [in the following ways]: Prevent fraud and corruption by helping detect potential signs of bid-rigging and conflicts of interest; Improve service delivery through competition…Oversight, verification and accountability by civil society and the public…improving the business environment, allowing companies to use BO data t...