Addressing Corruption in the Asia Pacific Region An overview

1. Addressing Corruption in the Asia Pacific Region An overview Thimphu 20-21 August 2007 Patrick Keuleers

2. Purpose of presentation • Overall integrity picture of the region • What are the priorities in the region • Analysis of some particular issues and concerns • Role of civil society and media • Building blocks for successful anti-corruption strategies

3. Introduction • Despite vast amount spent on corruption efforts corruption in many countries in Asia is seen as endemic and systemic • Despite economic gains, poverty gaps increase • Average score on TI’s index in only 2.8 • Average score on WB indicators on corruption control is also low • Low score on the TI Bribe payers Index • General recognition that corruption is a problem and that curative measures are urgently needed

4. Governance, corruption and human development

5. Transparency International’s Bribe Payer’s Index

6. Regional and Global Initiatives • ADB-OECD Initiative • 27 members • 3 observers (Laos, Bhutan and Brunei) • ASEAN • APEC • NEAPAC, SEAPAC and SAPAC • UNCAC • 140 countries signed • Asia: all countries have signed and 7 have ratified (Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua new Guinea)

7. Some trends with regard to policy development • National policies linked to comprehensive anti-corruption strategies • Indonesia, Malaysia, S Korea, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Indonesia.. • Implementation plans for new anti-corruption laws and institutional development • Bhutan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka .. • UNCAC implementation – gap analysis • Mongolia, Indonesia .. • Sectoral approaches • Support ethical improvements in ministry of health, local anti-corruption initiatives initiatives

8. Action Plan of the ADB-OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia Pacific • Pillar 1: Develop effective and transparent systems for public service • Integrity in Public Service • Accountability and transparency • Pillar 2: Strengthen Anti-Bribery Actions and Promoting Integrity in Business Operations • Effective Prevention, Investigation and Prosecution • Corporate Responsibility and Accountability • Pillar 3 – Support Active Public Involvement • Public discussion of corruption • Access to information • Public participation

9. Priorities and issues – Public sector reform • Corruption still considered an internal problem within the bureaucracy • Civil service reform • Codes of conduct and conflict of interests • Ethics training • E-governance • Procurement • Audits and controls

10. Asset declarations – lessons from a survey • Constitutional provision? • Tradition? • All civil servants or only target groups? • Verification of declarations? • Public access!!

11. Political corruption • Long considered insecure ground for development agencies • Transparency for political parties • Party financing and status of political parties • Accountability of elected officials • Codes of conduct for politicians

12. Private sector • Low on the reform agenda • Corporate codes of ethics • Internal initiatives meager • Regional and global initiatives

13. Law enforcement and responsible institutions • Single agency versus multiple-agency approach • Judiciary – TI Global report 2007 • ACA’s core success factor: FOCUS • Legislative developments • Illicit enrichment • Active bribing of foreign officials • Private to private corruption • Asset recovery

14. Civil society • Region still cautious • But interesting experiences • Pakistan’s social audits • Philippines: civil society and procurement • Fiji and Singapore: administrative reviews • Nepal and district administration • Philippines: civil society and lifestyle checks • Indonesia: decentralisation and corruption • Perception surveys and their role • Media and oversight

15. Access to information • Link between A2I and effective anti-corruption policies • 70 A2I laws • 9 in the Asia Pacific Region • Some concerns: • Right to information remains a difficult and costly exercise • Poor are often discriminated • Ethical behavior of journalists

17. 6 conditions for a successful anti-corruption strategy • political will • understanding and considering the governance and political context • understanding and anticipating resistance • proper timing and sequencing • sufficient resources and a mandate that is commensurate with these resource • Connecting stakeholders - alliances

18. Building blocks for a successful anti-corruption strategy • Compilation of all known information • Articulation of the ill-effects/costs of corruption • Public education (through media, educational institutions and other communication means) • Measures to improve legal/regulatory framework to enhance prevention detection and punishment. • Autonomy and financial resources for public accountability institutions. • Measures to increase disclosure, media freedom and civil liberties. • Processes for building a coalition of civil society, government, private sector and media • A program of high priority interventions selected on the basis of diagnostic surveys and in-depth studies. • Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems and regular updating/adjustment of strategy

19. Thank you