December 9th Event: 10 Years Later: Assessing the Impact & Future of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention

On December 9th, International Anti-Corruption Day, Transparency International-USA will host an event at the National Press Club marking the 10th Anniversary of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Featured speakers include Angel Gurria, Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Department of Commerce. Mark Pieth, Chairman of the OECD Working Group on Bribery will make introductory remarks via a live video cast from Paris. Alan Larson, Chair, Transparency International-USA and former Under Secretary of State will moderate.

Billions of dollars are squandered on bribes paid to public officials in exchange for business advantages representing a huge, hidden tax that retards economic development and drains a significant portion of development funds from poor countries. The entry into force of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention was a landmark in the fight against bribery in international business and development, committing the major industrialized nations to enforce foreign bribery prohibitions similar to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ten years later, how has this convention worked in practice? In the current global economic downturn, will increased pressure to win contracts undermine vigorous, consistent enforcement? What will be the impact on competition for stimulus-related contracts? What are the prospects for engaging emerging exporters, such as China and India?

Please join us for a lively discussion. Breakfast from 7:30 am; speakers at 8:00 am. National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW Washington, DC. RSVP by December 4th to transparency@transparency-usa.org or 202-589-1616.