Programmes and Initiatives

Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN

Judicial Integrity

Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption

Transparency, accountability and anti-corruption are key to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions includes key elements on ensuring access to justice, building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, as well as reducing bribery and corruption.

Poor governance and corruption are a major bottleneck for human development in Asia-Pacific. Corruption is a key driver of the growing inequality, persistent poverty and the exclusion of the most vulnerable from the gains of economic growth. It is estimated that over 900 million people across the Region had to pay a bribe to access basic services such as health or education in 2017 (TI, 2017). 

Key Priority Areas of Work

• Supporting governments in developing, implementing and monitoring anti-corruption strategies, in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders, in particular, business and civil society
• Developing governments’ capacities to deliver public services effectively, for example in the area of public procurement
• Mitigating integrity risks in key sectors for human development - such as water, health, education, and the judiciary
• Promoting open government and empowering grassroots' communities to increase transparency and accountability at the local level and improve service delivery.