TED at the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2024: Insights and Key Takeaways from Vilnius

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The 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2024, held from 18-21 June in Vilnius, Lithuania, brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 140 countries. This gathering of policymakers, experts, and civil society leaders underscored the vital link between combating corruption and strengthening democracy. High-level speakers emphasised that the integrity of democratic institutions is essential for addressing global challenges, ranging from environmental crises to the erosion of human rights. The event highlighted the urgent need for collective action to defend democratic values against the pervasive threat of corruption.

One of the key sessions for the Team Europe Democracy (TED) Network at the IACC was the panel on "Mainstreaming Anti-Corruption (AC) across Policies, Portfolios, and Sectors: Good Practice and Challenges." The session opened with a keynote address by Mr. Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships.

The panellists collectively agreed that embedding anti-corruption efforts into all aspects of development cooperation is vital for achieving long-term impact. Mr. Seychell outlined the EU's multi-faceted approach, which integrates support for developing legal frameworks, enhancing integrity and accountability measures, and providing substantial backing to civil society and the media. This strategy aims not only to combat corruption but also to reinforce the rule of law—a cornerstone of democracy. From the perspective of German development cooperation, it was noted that while clear and binding guidelines have been effective in mainstreaming Anti-Corruption and Integrity topics across various sectors, more targeted measures and a heightened sense of urgency are required. Colleagues from Swedish and Norwegian development cooperation agencies echoed this sentiment, noting that although there is high-level guidance and commitment to mainstreaming, translating these into operational actions remains challenging, with only moderate progress in recent years.

The panel also emphasised the indispensable role of civil society in defending democracy through anti-corruption efforts. While partnerships with international organisations are strategically important, greater attention must be given to engaging with locally rooted organisations to foster a culture of accountability and transparency that directly impacts the daily lives of citizens.

Multiple TED members, representing both civil society and member states, organised, or participated in various sessions covering topics such as beneficial ownership, asset recovery, civil society and government cooperation, and corruption risks in the extractives sector.

The IACC 2024 concluded with the Vilnius Declaration, which stressed the urgent need to confront corruption as a fundamental threat to democracy, peace, and sustainable development. Key pledges included defending whistleblowers and other integrity champions, targeting environmental crimes exacerbated by corruption, and dismantling transnational corrupt networks that undermine global security. The declaration also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to combat corruption, upholding democratic principles and human rights, and stopping the flow of illicit money across borders.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the IACC 2024 in Vilnius reaffirmed the anti-corruption community's commitment to collaborate in protecting integrity and building a just, peaceful, and sustainable future for all.