8 December 2022: Following its launch last month in Rio de Janeiro, UNODC’s new Practical Guide on “Enhancing the collaboration between Supreme Audit Institutions and Anti-Corruption Bodies in preventing and fighting corruption” was today showcased at the 12th General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) in Hong Kong. More than 80 officers from anti-corruption authorities, members of IAACA across the globe, participated in the meeting.
The Guide, which was developed with the support of the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in collaboration with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), is an important tool that supports effort of SAIs and Anti-Corruption Bodies (ACBs) in building and enhancing working relationships domestically as well as at the regional and global levels. By providing examples of good collaborative practices, it looks to bolster anti-corruption responses in a range of areas, including prevention, enforcement, investigations, asset recovery, international cooperation, knowledge and capacity-building, as well as on the use of information and communication technologies.
Close to 150 experts from SAIs, ACBs, governmental and international organizations contributed to the development of the Guide, offering a wide spectrum of examples and experiences in the collaboration between these entities.
On the occasion, Mr. Simon Peh, President of IAACA, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative and highlighted that the IAACA Secretariat had already contacted INTOSAI and its regional chapter for Latin America, OLACEFS, to explore areas of collaboration.
Launching the Guide at this major global event for anti-corruption authorities provides UNODC with a unique opportunity to enhance the reach to key audience. On 9 November, UNODC presented the final version of the Guide at the opening of the International XXIV Congress of Supreme Audit Institutions in Brazil. This is being complemented by its co-launch at the 12th General Meeting of the IAACA, coinciding with global efforts to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.
To assist countries in their efforts to build up effective corruption prevention mechanisms and the use of the Guide, UNODC is planning a series of regional training activities. The initial pilot regional workshop was held in Mexico in September 2022, bringing together SAIs and ACBs from the twenty countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Building on its outcomes and achievements, other initiatives across the world will be rolled out in 2023.