anticorruption

Anticorruption refers to the policies, laws, institutions, and practices aimed at reducing corruption, the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Corruption can take forms such as bribery, embezzlement, fraud, patronage, and illicit influence in public and private sectors. Anticorruption efforts seek to prevent, detect, and sanction such acts and to promote integrity, accountability, and the rule of law.

Core components include prevention, detection, and enforcement. Prevention covers transparent budgeting, open contracting, procurement reforms, conflict-of-interest rules, asset declarations, whistleblower protection, and civil service reforms. Detection relies on audits, forensic accounting, data analysis, financial intelligence, and independent oversight. Enforcement involves investigation, prosecution, sanctions, asset recovery, and international cooperation.

International and national instruments underpin anticorruption work. Global frameworks include the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, as well as regional treaties. National measures commonly include anti-bribery laws, procurement rules, conflict-of-interest statutes, whistleblower protections, and independent anti-corruption agencies or financial intelligence units.

Measurement of progress uses indices and indicators, such as Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index and indicators on control of corruption. Challenges include political resistance, weak institutions, limited resources, and cross-border bribery and illicit financial flows. Success often depends on civil society, the media, private sector compliance, and international cooperation.

Anticorruption work spans government, business, and civil society. It aims to improve governance, support sustainable development, and restore public trust by reducing rent-seeking and increasing transparency and accountability in public administration and markets.