OECD Issues New Recommendation to Reinforce Anti-Bribery Efforts

Today, OECD Secretary General, Angel Gurría announced the release of a new "Recommendation of the Council for Further Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials" at an event hosted by Transparency International-USA in Washington, DC. The Recommendation picks up on extensive TI recommendations intended to reinforce OECD countries’ efforts to prevent, detect and investigate foreign bribery, including:
• Continued “rigorous and systematic” monitoring and reporting on implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, including information on investigations and prosecutions;
• Suspension from public contracting or other public advantages of companies found to have bribed;
• Encouraging companies to adopt more stringent internal controls and to prohibit “facilitation payments” (An annex on good corporate practices is currently being negotiated and should be ready for adoption by March of 2010.);
• Strengthened reporting channels and whistleblower protection; and
• Increased outreach to emerging exporters which are not OECD Members to adhere to and implement the Convention.

Speakers at today's event sent a clear call to action. Following a message from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary-General Gurría, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and the U.S. Permanent Representative to the OECD Karen Kornbluh called for heightened attention to the anticorruption agenda. “The message we are sending on foreign bribery is clear,” said the Secretary General, “the only ones who should pay the price for this crime are its perpetrators.” “It is not a victimless crime,” noted the Commerce Secretary. “It’s not just greasing the wheels of business. It is cheating the people of these countries.” For more about the event, click here.