In our globalised world, resources and information move freely. But so does corruption. It can cross national boundaries with ease. Countries with lax rules give it safe havens. But with a joint worldwide response, we can contain it.
Countries need to agree on national and cross-border anti-corruption measures. International conventions such as the UN Convention against Corruption provide a crucial framework. They set out what countries need to do, both internally and together.
But signing up to a convention is only the first step. Governments also need to put their promises into practice. Otherwise their commitments won’t result in concrete reforms. They’ll still be missing the regulations needed to stop corruption. And the conventions won’t have force. The solution?