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RAPAPORT... The Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI), a World Economic Forum program that was begun a decade ago, named a community of top business leaders this week to form the PACI Vanguard — a group of executives who are committed to being the voice of a most robust anti-corruption agenda. This group of 20 CEOs (read the list of names) builds on the more than 100 leading companies that are PACI members, including Rio Tinto, that have signed on to the PACI principles for countering corruption. The PACI Vanguard expects to establish a harmonized legal framework that can address corruption consistently and lead to more effective enforcement. Collaborating with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), PACI Vanguard's members will support the implementation of the OECD convention on combating bribery with G20 countries and others. In addition, the larger PACI business community developed new PACI principles for countering corruption based on a zero tolerance policy. OECD's secretary-general, Angel Gurría, said, “We need a global legal framework and an effective enforcement mechanism to win the fight against corruption. It is exciting that the OECD and the PACI Vanguard community of CEOs will work together to expand the adoption of the OECD convention on combating bribery. This is the kind of partnership between business and government that can achieve real impact and level the playing field in some of the most important growth markets in the world.” Elaine Dezenski, the head of PACI, said, “Corruption is a massive obstacle for inclusive growth, competitiveness and social upward mobility. It is also a major business risk for CEOs and their companies around the world. We need strong partnerships across industries and with governments and civil society to create a level playing field for all and to design corruption out of the system.”
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