ACI Regional Seminar 2024 on Government Incentives for Corporate Anti-Corruption Compliance

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is co-hosting the Anti-Corruption Initiative (ACI) 2024 Regional Seminar on “Government Incentives for Corporate Anti-Corruption Compliance”. Held from September 25 – 27, 2024, at Le Meridien, Thimphu, the seminar highlights collaborative efforts between government and the private sector to combat corruption, with businesses investing in anti-corruption programs and governments creating supportive environments. The three-day seminar brings together 57 international anti-corruption experts and practitioners from 18 member economies, alongside 96 national stakeholders, including government officials and representatives from the international organizations, civil society and the private sector. 

The seminar commenced today, 25 September 2024, with a one-day workshop on Business Integrity, specifically designed for and engaging the national stakeholders. The first-ever national workshop was graced by His Excellency, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment. His Excellency, in his keynote address, emphasized the pivotal role of the business sector in Bhutan’s development. His Excellency highlighted the importance of reinforcing ethical business practices alongside fostering a business-friendly regulatory environment as key strategies for building a robust economy in Bhutan and globally. As Bhutan transforms His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo’s vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City, His Excellency called for a collective “whole of society” solution to corruption aiming to position Bhutan among the top five nations in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. The Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan, along with representatives from the OECD and ADB, echoed the need for enhanced collaboration to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks in the public and private sectors, for whole of society solutions to corruption.

Engaging in the panel discussions, various speakers including the heads of development organizations, representatives from anti-corruption agencies, and senior officials from ministries and DHI, addressed four key topics: the landscape for international anti-corruption and business integrity standards; business integrity risks assessment; policy instruments and implementation mechanisms supporting business integrity and anti-corruption compliance; and public-private partnerships in Bhutan. These sessions aimed at sharing best practices and enhancing participants’ capacities to strengthen government policies that incentivize businesses to adopt ethical practices and comply with anti-corruption requirements. 

Key highlights from the first day of the seminar, attended by over 90 national participants, emphasized the necessity of enhancing collaboration between the government and the business community promoting anti-corruption and business integrity. The sessions covered the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and its 2021 Recommendation; United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) standards in relation to business integrity; and gaps identified in the regions by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). One of the panels delved into the importance of government guidance in preventing corruption risks in private sectors and the application of the Multilateral Development Banks General Principles for Business Integrity Programmes. Further, there were discussions that highlighted key developments in business integrity initiatives in Bhutan, focusing on the recent laws and policies that have bolstered anti-corruption efforts. Another critical area of the discussion involved compliance measures crucial for mitigating corruption risks, particularly in high-risk sectors. Insights were shared on global initiatives in fortifying business integrity, including effective strategies for developing business integrity frameworks for construction sector. 

The subsequent days of the 2024 Seminar, i.e 26 & 27 September 2024, will feature a one-and-half day seminar focused on government incentives for corporate anti-corruption compliance, alongside a half-day meeting of Public Integrity Network (PIN) and a one-day meeting of Law Enforcement Network (LEN). The PIN and LEN sessions on 27 September will run parallel, facilitating policy dialogue and exchange of best practices on anti-corruption compliance as well integrity measures. The opening of the Regional Seminar will be graced by His Excellency, Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Ministry of Finance. 

Bhutan, as one of the 34 member economies of the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for the Asia and the Pacific, is voluntarily co-hosting this important seminar. This significant event underscores Bhutan’s unwavering commitment to fighting corruption in the country as well as strengthening cooperation with regional and international counterparts. Since joining the Initiative in September 2007, Bhutan has actively participated in policy dialogue, capacity development, and knowledge sharing. Bhutan previously hosted one of the annual events of the ACI in 2016, showcasing our strong political will and robust anti-corruption initiatives to a global audience. The 2024 Regional Seminar marks yet another valuable opportunity to exchange best practices, build capacity, and foster strategic collaborations and networks in strengthening our collective commitment to embed integrity and combat corruption in all the sectors.