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Anti Corruption and Integrity

Corruption is the use of public office for private gain. It includes crimes such as extortion, bribery, racketeering, or embezzlement. It also includes unethical acts and patronage such as revolving doors for government employees and capture of the regulatory process by the powerful and connected. OGP members fight corruption by undertaking reforms in  transparency, public oversight, and public accountability.

Explore our list of Actions to Tackle Corruption »

Explore recommendations, partners, commitments, and recent posts in specific policy areas:

Overview

Corrupt practices impact billions of people worldwide, as tax dollars meant for vital public goods and services disappear, public policies are bent to favor the well-connected, inequality is worsened, and public safety is a privilege of the wealthy. Corruption reduces investment by citizens and by companies. Evidence shows that transparent governments improve business efficiency and spur economic and investment opportunities.

The last several years have shown how important controlling corruption is. Throughout the pandemic, corruption disrupted the delivery of life-saving medical supplies. As countries attempted to make their way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption risks have slowed down the delivery of essential vaccine procurement and have resulted in misappropriation of stimulus and safety net packages. Open and accountable spending and contracting are fundamental areas of anti-corruption reform and Open Response, Recovery, Renewal efforts.

OGP governments are leading the fight against corruption inside and outside of their OGP action plans, including by advancing policy innovations related to issues such as beneficial ownership and open contracting. OGP action plans are an important vehicle to help implement national anti-corruption strategies and legislation. Members have used their action plans to translate announcements made at global fora – including the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit, G20 and G7 summits, and the 2030 SDGs – into concrete action in close coordination with national civil society organizations, international expert organizations, business, media, and other key stakeholders. Members are also currently exploring ways to do so with the Summit for Democracy.

In 2021, the OGP co-chairs, the Republic of Korea and Maria Baron, issued this “Call-to-Action” for governments to address corruption. This menu of suggested actions highlights ideas for OGP members to advance through their upcoming OGP action plans. The menu features areas including money in politics, open contracting and transparency of public procurement, beneficial ownership, opening up extractives, whistleblower protection, asset recovery, and foundational cross-cutting areas such as right to information, fiscal openness, and gender and inclusion.

Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership transparency has emerged as an important policy tool in countries for combating corruption, stemming illicit financial flows, and fighting tax evasion.

Open Contracting and Procurement

Open contracting and transparency in public procurement have proven to save money and broaden competition.

Political Integrity

Providing for transparency in the funding of campaigns, political parties, and democratic politics is an essential accountability mechanism for democratic government.

Commitments

Recent Content

muriel poisson_1

Faces of Open Government: Muriel Poisson

Meet Muriel Poisson from UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). Muriel has been at the forefront of research and initiatives that explore the vital links between open government practices and transparency within the educational system and on this International Day of Education, she shares her insights into the intersection between education and open government. 

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France

Bringing the French Cour des Comptes Closer to Citizens

In its 2021-2023 OGP action plan, the French government committed the Cour des Comptes (Court of Accounts) to further mobilize citizen expertise in the service of the Court's missions. In the French system, the Cour des Comptes ensures transparency in…

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Quintana Roo, Mexico

Faces of Open Government: Cynthia Dehesa

Meet Cynthia Dehesa, the Director of Citizens for Transparency, a civil society organization working to build a society with zero tolerance for corruption through open government and active citizenship in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

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Open Government Partnership