Fighting corruption with political will for a more peaceful, prosperous and secure future
Ralf Ernst is Acting Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
According to the United Nations, more than 5% of global GDP (about $3.6 trillion) is lost annually due to corruption. Corruption represents one of the greatest challenges to peace, prosperity and security. It undermines the rule of law, reduces state income and erodes public trust in institutions. Revenue lost to corruption could be spent on education, health care and other public services to support the most vulnerable.
Saturday, 9 December, marked International Anti-corruption Day. This was an opportunity to reflect on the profound damage that corruption has on socio-economic development and the lives of everyday citizens. The OSCE participating States have long recognized the need for a concerted effort to combat corruption, but the effectiveness of our endeavors hinges on the strength of political will.
In pursuit of a future free from corruption, the OSCE stands as a beacon of collaboration. Its work is guided by several high-level ministerial decisions on combatting corruption, and years of tireless work in this area have resulted in tangible actions and projects, demonstrating its commitment to fostering good governance and upholding the rule of law.
As an organization, we recognize that addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by corruption requires a united front. In this spirit, the OSCE collaborates extensively with a multitude of stakeholders. From state and local authorities to international organizations, civil society actors, the private sector, academia, and think tanks, the OSCE actively engages with a broad spectrum of partners. This collaborative approach extends to international fora and expert working groups, where the OSCE co-operates closely with organizations such as UNODC, OECD and others.
The Office of the Co-Ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), together with the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and a network of 12 field operations in Southeast Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, assists participating States in their efforts to combat corruption through capacity building and awareness raising, implementing activities aimed at strengthening institutional and legislative frameworks, and promoting innovative solutions to address emerging trends and threats posed by digitalization and new technologies. It harnesses the power of open data to improve the business climate and enable grassroots solutions to challenges faced by citizens in their daily lives. Recognizing the vulnerability of youth to criminal influences, the OSCE actively engages young minds in the fight against organized crime and addresses issues such as drug abuse and corruption.
The OSCE's commitment to combatting transnational organized crime and corruption is exemplified through its work on asset recovery, which aims to optimize the asset recovery process in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. These efforts cover a wide range of issues from asset seizure to asset management and repurposing for social benefit. Acknowledging the risks associated with new technologies, the OSCE aims to build the capacities of national authorities in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to counter the criminal use of virtual assets. The OSCE actively supports Moldova in fulfilling its anti-corruption commitments, aligning national standards with international conventions and best practices.
Right at this moment, OCEEA is actively taking part in the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption with a clear message: we must do more to strengthen the response of our societies to this menace. We are gathering relevant stakeholders to highlight the importance of political will in fighting corruption, and we are sharing our valuable experience in building national capacities in the area of good economic governance.
Political will serves as the linchpin in the fight against corruption. It is the driving force that propels legislative reforms, empowers anti-corruption institutions, and fosters a culture of accountability. Without unwavering political will, our aspirations to prevent and combat corruption in the OSCE region risk being mere rhetoric.
Political will is not a mere expression of intent but a steadfast determination to act. The time for rhetoric is over, the time for resolute action is now. Together, with unfaltering commitment and political will, we can build a future where corruption is a thing of the past, and transparency and good governance prevail.
Read more about the OSCE’s work on combatting corruption here