G20-2015 Turkey

TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Rooting out
corruption
Working with international organisations, the
G20 countries have committed to combating corruption,
which can have far-reaching negative effects in national
economies, explains Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General,
World Customs Organization
At the Toronto Summit in 2010,
G20 leaders established the
Anti-Corruption Working Group
(ACWG) in recognition of the
negative impact that corruption has on
economic growth, international trade and
development. The ACWG has diligently
worked to partner with international
organisations to ensure a coordinated
approach to combat corruption. As part
of its practical actions for 2015-16,
G20 members have identified a number
Kunio Mikuriya has been Secretary
General of the World Customs
of high priorities in the fight against
Organization since 2009. Previously, corruption, including a focus on highrisk
sectors such as border management
he worked for Japan’s Ministry
of Finance for 25 years. There, he agencies. The World Customs Organization
served as Director of Enforcement, (WCO) is pleased to be working with the
as well as Director of Research G20 on this important topic.
and International Affairs, paving
The WCO has long been a leader in
the way for the conclusion of the promoting integrity in customs. Customs
first regional trade agreement for integrity is a vital international objective
Japan. In addition, he spent time because customs administrations are
as a counsellor at Japan’s mission significant actors in international trade
to the World Trade Organization, and globalisation, particularly as a result
and took part in the Uruguay Round of articles V, VIII and X of the 1994 World
trade negotiations of the General
Trade Organization agreement, as well as
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
its 2013 Trade Facilitation Agreement.
@WCO_OMD
In February 2015, the WCO held its
www.wcoomd.org
14th Integrity Sub-Committee session,
during which Mexico Customs presented
the G20 anti-corruption initiative. The
sub-committee noted the information and update
provided by Mexico on the G20’s Anti-Corruption
Implementation Plan for 2015-16. Appreciation was
expressed to Mexico for leading this initiative, as
the G20 recognises that governments cannot fight
corruption on their own. Governments need to work
closely with G20 engagement groups and international
organisations such as the WCO in order to implement
commitments. The sub-committee also endorsed the
proposal to develop a publication on WCO strategies,
instruments, tools and activities for tackling corruption.
Tools to combat corruption
The WCO has developed a number of instruments
and tools to promote customs integrity and combat
corruption. The Revised Arusha Declaration, the WCO’s
set of core principles related to integrity, states that
the adverse effects of corruption can include reduced
national security and community protection and foreign
investment. Those effects also include revenue leakage
and fraud, and increased costs that are ultimately borne
by the community. Corruption results in barriers to
international trade and economic growth. It erodes
public trust and confidence in government institutions,
as well as the level of trust and cooperation between
customs administrations and other government
agencies. It reduces the level of voluntary compliance
with customs laws and regulations. Moreover, it lowers
staff morale and esprit de corps.
The Revised Arusha Declaration states that an
effective national customs integrity programme must
outline the principles for addressing corruption, namely
100 G20 Turkey: The Antalya Summit November 2015 g7g20.com