A year of fruitful global anti-corruption achievements since the adoption of the Hong Kong Declaration
2025-5-30
In the 8th ICAC Symposium hosted in May last year, ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming, in his capacity of President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), announced the adoption of the “Hong Kong Declaration on Strengthening International Cooperation in Preventing and Fighting Corruption” (Hong Kong Declaration), calling on international counterparts to stand united in the mission to eradicate corruption. Over the past year, anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) around the world had significantly advanced their efforts in implementing initiatives align with framework of the Hong Kong Declaration, achieving significant achievements.
Established in 2006, IAACA aims to promote the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and assist anti-corruption agencies worldwide in the prevention of and fight against corruption. Up to now, more than 180 ACAs from different countries and regions have joined IAACA as members.
During the IAACA Executive Committee meeting held in May 2025, Executive Committee members from ACAs of Italy, South Africa, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Hungary, Malaysia, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong ICAC shared their respective accomplishments since the adoption of the Hong Kong Declaration.
“The first anniversary of the Hong Kong Declaration is a pivotal milestone which underscores the collective commitment of IAACA members. Members’ achievements and contributions highlight the significant strides made in combating and preventing corruption globally since the adoption of the Hong Kong Declaration,” Mr Woo said.
The Hong Kong Declaration outlines four key areas in which ACAs are encouraged to strengthen their efforts: international collaboration, capacity building, public engagement as well as research and development.
Many ACAs have strengthened cooperation in criminal matters such as assisting other jurisdictions in preventing and detecting the transfer of corruption proceeds, recovering illicit assets, and denying safe havens to fugitives. Individual ACAs also entered into memoranda of understanding (MOU) with various counterparts to enhance anti-corruption cooperation for investigations, prosecutions, etc. ICAC, for example, has signed MOUs with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and ACAs from seven countries.
During the year, these ACAs have worked closely together through initiatives such as the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), ASEAN Parties Against Corruption, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, European Contact-Point Network against Corruption, G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. They took the opportunities to exchange graft-fighting knowledge and experience.
The Hong Kong Declaration also calls on ACAs to assist other jurisdictions to enhance anti-corruption capacity through trainings, exchanges, workshops as well as partnership projects. The ICAC launched the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption in 2024 and conducted over 30 international thematic anti-corruption training programmes, benefitting more than 2,600 participants from over 70 countries. Anti-corruption academies in South Africa, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia also provided training programmes to assist other jurisdictions in enhancing anti-corruption capacities.
The ACAs have also implemented diverse strategies to engage the society in fighting corruption, enhance public awareness and promote workplace integrity. ACAs had effectively encouraged a culture of integrity and legality through social media publicity, online activities, school campaigns and large-scale anti-corruption events for citizens. In 2024, marking its 50th anniversary, ICAC hosted community events, unveiled Café “1974” in the ICAC Building, renovated its exhibition hall with interactive exhibits, and conducted multimedia campaigns that amassed 27 million online views.
The Hong Kong Declaration also advocates the development of anti-corruption research and innovative technologies to fight and prevent corruption. ACAs are actively researching and designing risk assessment tools for both public and private sectors. To strengthen investigative and preventive measures, ACAs had also integrated advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, in their initiatives. Countries such as Italy, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had also collaborated with the governments to establish digital systems for public procurement and contract management. In Hong Kong, ICAC is developing AI-powered tools to assist officers in formulating corruption prevention advice based on corruption prevention reports, consultations, and publications. These tools also provide real-time guidance to the public and answer inquiries about ICAC and anti-corruption laws.
“Efforts by IAACA members have facilitated the exchange of valuable experiences across diverse regions and organisations. Those collaborative initiatives align with the Hong Kong Declaration and are essential for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, ultimately cultivating a global culture of integrity and good governance,” Mr Woo said.
Established in 2006, IAACA aims to promote the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and assist anti-corruption agencies worldwide in the prevention of and fight against corruption. Up to now, more than 180 ACAs from different countries and regions have joined IAACA as members.
During the IAACA Executive Committee meeting held in May 2025, Executive Committee members from ACAs of Italy, South Africa, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Hungary, Malaysia, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong ICAC shared their respective accomplishments since the adoption of the Hong Kong Declaration.
“The first anniversary of the Hong Kong Declaration is a pivotal milestone which underscores the collective commitment of IAACA members. Members’ achievements and contributions highlight the significant strides made in combating and preventing corruption globally since the adoption of the Hong Kong Declaration,” Mr Woo said.
The Hong Kong Declaration outlines four key areas in which ACAs are encouraged to strengthen their efforts: international collaboration, capacity building, public engagement as well as research and development.
Many ACAs have strengthened cooperation in criminal matters such as assisting other jurisdictions in preventing and detecting the transfer of corruption proceeds, recovering illicit assets, and denying safe havens to fugitives. Individual ACAs also entered into memoranda of understanding (MOU) with various counterparts to enhance anti-corruption cooperation for investigations, prosecutions, etc. ICAC, for example, has signed MOUs with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and ACAs from seven countries.
During the year, these ACAs have worked closely together through initiatives such as the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), ASEAN Parties Against Corruption, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, European Contact-Point Network against Corruption, G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. They took the opportunities to exchange graft-fighting knowledge and experience.
The Hong Kong Declaration also calls on ACAs to assist other jurisdictions to enhance anti-corruption capacity through trainings, exchanges, workshops as well as partnership projects. The ICAC launched the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption in 2024 and conducted over 30 international thematic anti-corruption training programmes, benefitting more than 2,600 participants from over 70 countries. Anti-corruption academies in South Africa, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia also provided training programmes to assist other jurisdictions in enhancing anti-corruption capacities.
The ACAs have also implemented diverse strategies to engage the society in fighting corruption, enhance public awareness and promote workplace integrity. ACAs had effectively encouraged a culture of integrity and legality through social media publicity, online activities, school campaigns and large-scale anti-corruption events for citizens. In 2024, marking its 50th anniversary, ICAC hosted community events, unveiled Café “1974” in the ICAC Building, renovated its exhibition hall with interactive exhibits, and conducted multimedia campaigns that amassed 27 million online views.
The Hong Kong Declaration also advocates the development of anti-corruption research and innovative technologies to fight and prevent corruption. ACAs are actively researching and designing risk assessment tools for both public and private sectors. To strengthen investigative and preventive measures, ACAs had also integrated advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, in their initiatives. Countries such as Italy, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had also collaborated with the governments to establish digital systems for public procurement and contract management. In Hong Kong, ICAC is developing AI-powered tools to assist officers in formulating corruption prevention advice based on corruption prevention reports, consultations, and publications. These tools also provide real-time guidance to the public and answer inquiries about ICAC and anti-corruption laws.
“Efforts by IAACA members have facilitated the exchange of valuable experiences across diverse regions and organisations. Those collaborative initiatives align with the Hong Kong Declaration and are essential for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, ultimately cultivating a global culture of integrity and good governance,” Mr Woo said.
IAACA adopted the Hong Kong Declaration on Strengthening International Cooperation in in Preventing and Fighting Corruption during the 8th ICAC Symposium in May 2025。
During the IAACA Executive Committee meeting held in May 2025, ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming（centre, in his capacity of President of the IAACA, listened to the sharing from members on their achievements under the Hong Kong Declaration.