PRIVATE SECTOR
→ Oversight must not be traded for speed of response and rapid action
During the COVID-19 pandemic human lives have been put at risk by companies capitalizing on weaknesses in oversight systems by selling substandard or falsified goods and medical equipment. With the urgency of responding to the pandemic, internal compliance structures and third-party due diligence mechanisms have been unable to function adequately. In addition, many businesses are struggling to survive during lockdowns and emergency protocols. The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), already disadvantaged by limited resources to cope and adjust to the crisis, are particularly vulnerable and risk facing corruption in emergency procurement-an obstacle they could not overcome (e.g. unable to pay the bribes required to win the tender).
The pandemic highlights the urgent need to promote business integrity and a fair and transparent business environment to level the playing field for businesses of all sizes. Accountability and transparency are key principles of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and fundamental to recovering with integrity.
Actions
- Build resilience against corruption in corporate cultures.
- Reinforce and promote fair competition, responsible business practices and business integrity while strengthening innovation as effective ways to counter corruption.
- Promote gender diversity and equal representation of women on corporate boards and structures.
- Promote transparency and open data to provide information on the costs of products to avoid price gouging.
- Governments and companies must join forces to promote a fair business environment and conditions conducive to investment, growth and sustainable development.
UNODC Tools
- The Fight Against Corruption - Series, developed together with UN Global Compact, gives concrete and practical guidance to companies on the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Convention.
- The Education for Justice (E4J) initiative provides material to educate oneself and to develop training programs on business ethics and the fight against corruption in the private sector.
- To support the establishment of effective anti-corruption ethics and compliance programmes: An Anti-Corruption Ethics and Compliance Programme for Business: A Practical Guide English.
- A Resource Guide on State Measures for Strengthening Corporate Integrity English - Spanish - Russian
- On the Level: Business and Governments against Corruption
- Toolkit of Private Sector Outreach Materials
- The Puppet Masters "How the Corrupt Use Legal Structures to Hide Stolen Assets and What to Do About It"
UNDP Tools