Use new technologies to prevent and combat corruption and money-laundering, participants at OSCE Economic and Environmental meeting urge

VIENNA, 16 June 2020 – We must do all we can to adapt and use new technologies in preventing and combating corruption and money-laundering, participants of a two-day virtual 2nd Preparatory meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) urge, which concluded today. Tackling corruption will be a critical element in the ability of many countries to successfully re-emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.  

Chaired by the Permanent Representative of Albania to the OSCE, Ambassador Igli Hasani, the meeting addressed the benefits of digitalization in improving the investment climate, promoting economic participation and increasing transparency.

Participants discussed the importance of joining efforts in fighting corruption in the area of managing natural resources with a view to promoting stability and economic growth. Discussions also focused on the role of innovation and digitalization in addressing the challenges of environmental protection, including available tools and alternative financing models as a source of innovative, economically-viable and corruption-free solutions to environmental protection challenges.

“The Albanian government has made the fight against corruption a top priority. We have stepped up our anti-corruption efforts by adopting cross-cutting, inter-sectoral strategies,” said Hasani. “Combating corruption is of high importance to the well-being and security of people across the OSCE region. It is a problem we cannot and we will not ignore.”

Hasani said that Albania wants to expand the OSCE discussion on digitalization to look at its benefits in the fight against corruption. “We are convinced that embracing the benefits of technological change as a tool to promote corruption-free, transparent and accountable societies will enhance security and stability in the OSCE region and beyond.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic is adding another layer to anti-corruption efforts. “Corruption has already hampered government crisis response to protect public health and economic well-being,” he said. “In recent weeks, there have been ample warning about the likely corrosive effect of corruption on post-COVID-19 recovery.”

Greminger indicated that as unprecedented amounts of public funds are pumped into the economy, the corruption challenge is set to grow. “So should our resolve to fight it,” said Greminger. “This is the moment to use e-government and open data platforms, which are critical tools to improve the economic outlook and secure sustainable economic recovery. We may not have fully realized the effect of COVID-19 on our personal lives yet, but its impact on comprehensive security could be severe if we fail to react early on and make full use of the tools at our disposal.”

Professor Paola Severino, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Corruption said: “Preserving the sustainability of our governance structures stands out as a most urgent task for all our countries.”

Severino said that the OSCE with its comprehensive approach to security can provide a sound platform for facilitating dialogue. “The fight against corruption must remain a priority within the OSCE, and I am particularly glad to offer my experience and commitment to the Albanian Chairmanship, who has given high priority to the fight against corruption in its agenda.”

Li Yong, the Director General of UNIDO, said that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, processes are becoming increasingly transparent, and therefore digitalization efforts can expect to result in a decline in certain types of corruption. “Environmentally sound technologies and circular economy practices not only improve the productivity of companies but through cost savings achieved create incentives to reduce also corruption,” he said.

Participants discussed best practices and shared experiences on how new technologies and innovative solutions can strengthen efforts to prevent corruption in both the economic and environmental spheres.

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Vuk Žugić, said that the virtue of the OSCE is in bringing very different stakeholders together and connecting them in an active dialogue, even in the times of closed borders, lockdowns and economic uncertainties. “We have gained new insights into how States are responding to the challenges posed by corruption and how technological advances could help to tackle these issues,” said Žugić.

The Concluding Meeting of the 28th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum is envisaged to take place from 10 to 11 September in Prague.