The OSCE has recognized corruption as a threat to security, economic development and to respect for human rights. Examples of OSCE work in on combatting corruption include assisting participating States in implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC); supporting participating States in their process of adhering to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and standards; providing assistance in training officials on different facets of the prevention and fight against corruption, including integrity in public service, regulatory reform, preventing conflict of interest, developing national risk assessments in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, promoting asset disclosure by public officials, and facilitating and encouraging engagement of state institutions with private sector and civil society in combating corruption; and collaborating with different national, regional, international and OSCE-wide stakeholders on anti-money laundering projects to combat trafficking in human beings.
Helsinki Commissioners have actively promoted efforts to combat corruption in the OSCE region, focusing on grand corruption. In particular, they have highlighted the threat posed by authoritarian kleptocracy, a form of autocratic government that relies on financial globalization and secrecy to steal, pay off cronies, and maintain power. Commissioners have put forward numerous legislative proposals to counter this threat, including by heightening the priority of anti-corruption in U.S. foreign policy, providing further authorities to end the impunity enjoyed by kleptocrats, exposing kleptocratic misdeeds and preventing them from entering the United States, and highlighting the work of U.S. law enforcement to recover stolen money hidden in the United states. They have also promoted transparency in extractive industries as a means to promote improved security and equitable economic development in countries with significant oil, gas, and mineral resources.
Staff Contact: Paul Massaro, policy advisor
