African Leaders Discuss Anti-Corruption Strategies
Alliance for Integrity – Government and Business Roles in Enhancing African Standards of Living
Addis Ababa, 7-8 March 2005
More than 90 participants representing African business, civil society and labour organizations, international organizations and governments, gathered in Addis Ababa on 7-8 March for “ Alliance for Integrity – Government and Business Roles in Enhancing African Standards of Living” . The meeting at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was co-organized by the UN Global Compact, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the New Partnership for Africa’ s Development (NEPAD) and by Transparency International.
The main objective of the two-day conference was to forge an alliance between business, civil society and governments to fight corruption and foster positive frameworks for investment and job creation. In the words of Peter Eigen, Chairman of Transparency International, “ Africa is on the path to liberate itself for a second time, not from colonialism, but from corruption, poverty and violence.” Participants showed a clear sense of urgency to seize on the present momentum. K.Y. Amoako, Executive Director of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), stressed the fact that several important African initiatives will be launched in the next month. In June, UNECA will publish its African Governance Report 2005 surveying the progress in 28 countries based on information gathered by hundreds of researchers. The fight against corruption, he noted, “ cuts across all the main issues Africa faces today -- Aids, trade and debt -- it is necessary to find synergies to overcome them all.” The Report of the Commission for Africa launched by its chair Tony Blair on 11 March is also focusing on good governance as the center for promoting development in Africa. The report will be calling for increased support for capacity building, the NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism (“ APRM” ), and initiatives such as the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (“ Kimberly Process” ) and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (“ EITI” ). Against this backdrop, the conference participants focused their efforts on the root causes of corruption to identify areas where business, civil society and government can best work together to find solutions.
Conclusion
The full report of this meeting includes information on the ongoing work of the OECD in developing a tool for companies with activities in regions with weak governance – the input received from participants will be incorporated in the report to the OECD commission developing this tool. NEPAD reiterated their commitment to work on fighting corruption, an issue they have clearly incorporated into their peer review process. In addition, they indicated a strong interest in working with the Global Compact and the business community especially through their Investment Climate facility. The possibility of a jointly organized convention to bring together all African countries that have ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption was also presented. The UN Global Compact is planning to put a stronger emphasis on Africa and is opening its first regional office in South Africa in March. Furthermore, follow up meetings to exchange experiences and foster learning on the implementation the 10th principle against corruption will be held in various African countries. In his concluding remarks, Peter Eigen emphasized the fact that all sectors and actors shared responsibility for the problems created by corruption and failed governance. Governments of the North, he stated, had acknowledged the negative effect of their companies and organizations in the supply side, and, through national legislation and international instruments such as the UN and the OECD conventions, had put into place mechanism to combat corruption. He went on to state that in Africa, through the African Union Convention and the NEPAD process, governments were also tackling the demand side. In addition, he noted the importance of voluntary initiatives such as Publish What You Pay, EITI and the Kimberly Process. He called upon participants and the many organizations they represent, to work together to further such efforts. But for the African context, he noted, leadership can only come from Africa itself.
Last updated on 15 March 2005
