B20 Anti-corruption Forum focuses on policy priorities

  • 9 May 2016
ICC Responsible business

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) representatives joined over 200 business leaders from across the globe at the B20 Anti-corruption Forum in Beijing.

The event took place in the lead up to the B20 Summit next September and helped define key anti-corruption priorities for policy makers and the global business community.

Davinder Singh, ICC Vice-Chair of the Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-corruption, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum which this year took place under the theme of ”Combating Corruption to Foster Sustainable Growth”. Mr. Singh highlighted ICC’s activities to promote open international trade and investment as well as its commitment to work closely with the B20 Anti-corruption Forum in the fight against corruption.

B20 China Sherpa Yu Ping emphasized the importance of combating corruption to foster growth and the importance of working with ICC and global business. Cheng Zhengrong, General Secretary of B20 China, also noted that corruption is an issue shared by both business and governments, and therefore contribution from both parties is needed.

This B20 Anti-corruption Forum will provide a very important platform for the sharing of ideas which in turn will help formulate policy recommendations that will enrich the anti-corruption work of the G20.

“Under China’s leadership, the B20 is taking another positive and much needed step in the right direction. This B20 Anti-corruption Forum will provide a very important platform for the sharing of ideas which in turn will help formulate policy recommendations that will enrich the anti-corruption work of the G20,” said Mr. Singh.

Business leaders who attended the B20 Anti-Corruption Forum discussed issues such as the importance of anti-corruption capacity-building, especially for SMEs, and of compliance programmes, the need for greater transparency in the disclosure of beneficial ownership,  improving customs integrity and promoting greater control and accountability in procurement processes.  The theme of the Forum also put particular emphasis on how the fight against corruption is essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The B20 process will continue its activity following this forum, culminating in recommendations to be delivered to global leaders ahead of the 2016 G20 Summit to be held on 4-5 September 2016 in Hangzhou, China.

Read Davinder Singh’s Opening remarks at the B20 China Anti-corruption Forum.

Learn more about the ICC G20 CEO Advisory Group.