Although anti-corruption agencies have a history spanning over five decades, their widespread adoption began during the 1990s, coinciding with the democratization of Eastern Europe and the escalating emphasis on good governance in development circles. The adoption and entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Corruption further solidified their global recognition as an important part of national anti-corruption frameworks.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption , in its articles 6 and 36, calls for the establishment of anti-corruption agencies equipped with the requisite mandate, independence, competent personnel and adequate resources to effectively fulfil their duties. The Convention acknowledges the absence of a one-size-fits-all approach. Each country's approach to anti-corruption agencies depends on its unique political landscape, administrative framework and available resources. While some countries have assigned all functions outlined in the Convention to one specialized agency, others have distributed these responsibilities among multiple entities. Therefore, anti-corruption agencies worldwide show considerable diversity, with some tasked primarily with corruption prevention, others with investigation or prosecution, and some with a combination of these roles. Terminology and names used also vary around the world, reflecting the different structures and approaches of each country.
Building on the principles outlined in the Convention, UNODC, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and anti-corruption practitioners from around the world, has led the codification and development of international standards and good practices governing anti-corruption agencies. These were captured in the Jakarta Statement on Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies (2012) and the Colombo Commentary to the Principles (2020). These principles contain recommendations on issues such as mandates, leadership tenure, budget, human resources and accountability lines, and are widely referred to as good practices for the development of effective anti-corruption agencies.
UNODC, 2020
This commentary provides additional guidance on each of the Jakarta principles, including practical examples and good practices.
UNODC, 2012
This statement provides a set of standards to guide the establishment and operations of anti-corruption agencies and commissions.
UNODC, 2011
This page provides a thematic compilation of information relating to bodies responsible for implementing preventive anti-corruption policies produced in the context of the meetings of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Prevention.