Expanding International Cooperation to Enhance Global Effectiveness in Combating Corruption
Corruption crimes transcend borders, making international anti-corruption cooperation crucial. The ICAC has been engaging in exchanges and collaborations with anti-corruption counterparts from different jurisdictions, including those in the Belt and Road countries, to share Hong Kong's experience and best practices in combating corruption and promoting integrity, aiming to enhance global anti-corruption efforts.
Leveraging its unique advantage of being "backed by the motherland and connected to the world," the ICAC continues to organise diverse professional anti-corruption training programs for Belt and Road countries, supporting the development of the "Clean Silk Road."
In October this year, the ICAC Commissioner attended the “Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation” in Beijing and delivered a speech at the “Thematic Forum on Clean Silk Road” sharing Hong Kong's efforts and achievements in promoting integrity in support of the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, the ICAC organised a "Professional Anti-Corruption Training in Major Infrastructure Projects" for anti-corruption practitioners from 13 African and Asian countries. The representatives of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) gathered to exchange practical experiences in combating and preventing corruption in major infrastructure projects. With the support of the National Commission of Supervision, the participants also visited Guangdong Province to gain an in-depth understanding of corruption prevention measures in large-scale infrastructure projects.
In response to the specific needs of individual Belt and Road countries, the ICAC organised a capacity building programme for a delegation of Indonesian prosecutors in October, sharing its experience in handling corruption cases in the public and private sectors, asset recovery, and the offence of misconduct in public office. In November, the ICAC sent representatives to Uzbekistan to attend an international forum, where they shared the ICAC's experience in combating corruption through education and awareness campaigns with ACAs and representatives of international organisations in the Central Asian region. Furthermore, the ICAC, together with ACAs from Bhutan, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, co-organised a workshop in Malaysia to share experiences in promoting integrity education and youth engagement.
Additionally, at the invitation of the Belt and Road Office of Hong Kong SAR Government's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Director of Corruption Prevention joined a study visit to the Greater Bay Area in early December with representatives of Belt and Road related enterprises based in Hong Kong to gain a deeper understanding of the national pursuit of the high-quality Belt and Road development. They also discussed Hong Kong's role and advantages in promoting high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, including the development of the clean silk road.
Veteran ICAC officers, representing the Chinese delegation and the Secretariat of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, respectively, participated in CoSP10. With the support of our country, the ICAC organised two special events during the conference. Firstly, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the ICAC presented on how to promote youth engagement in anti-corruption work, launching the jointly compiled "Policy Guide for National Anti-Corruption Authorities on Meaningful Youth Engagement". This publication provides practical references for global anti-corruption institutions in strengthening youth participation in the fight against corruption. Secondly, the ICAC co-organised an event with UNODC's Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities and the Basel Institute on Governance to explore practical approaches to international cooperation in advancing global anti-corruption efforts.
