WASHINGTON, USA – Today, on International Anti-Corruption Day, we reflect on the damage corruption causes and renew our resolve to fight it. Corruption weakens democratic institutions, erodes the rule of law, and undermines the economic and social development of our countries. We must stay alert and act together.
The Organization of American States (OAS) has played a pioneering role in addressing this challenge collectively. In 1996, we adopted the Interamerican Convention against Corruption, the world´s first international legal instrument on this issue. It set a global standard and showed that no country can tackle corruption alone.
Cooperation is essential. By sharing experiences, strengthening institutions, and engaging civil society and the private sector, we make our responses stronger and more inclusive.
The Convention’s Follow-up Mechanism, the MESICIC, is a key tool. Since 2002, it has guided reviews and reforms across the region – producing more than 170 country reports and contributing to more than 2,200 reforms to laws, institutions, and practices.
This year new reports helped strengthen laws on denial of favorable tax treatment, transnational bribery, illicit enrichment, extradition, and bank secrecy. The Committee also advanced work on open data, artificial intelligence and whistleblower protection – giving governments better tools to identify gaps and strengthen public trust.
We are making progress, but the fight against corruption has no finish line. The OAS will continue to support its member states to ensure that commitments lead to real change for citizens.
Let us continue working together to build a region that is just, transparent, and inclusive.
