Transparency International to focus on political integrity, the fight against kleptocracy for next strategic cycle

As the world faces ongoing crises that are exacerbated by corruption, Transparency International’s 2022 Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) adopted multiple resolutions to help the movement effectively address today’s greatest challenges.

Looking to the next phase of the movement’s strategic cycle, the Membership adopted a resolution outlining key actions to 2026. It emphasised the role corruption plays in perpetuating the climate crisis, democratic decline and growing inequality, and established that Transparency International would focus on two key areas: mobilising the demand for political integrity; and driving justice, equality and democracy by raising up voices for the common good. This was the result of a movement-wide participatory process to identify opportunities and push for change.

The Membership also adopted a resolution to acknowledge the need to actively involve civil society in efforts to combat transnational corruption, including in the enforcement and implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. It highlighted the value of more regional and flexible international justice mechanisms that account for differing circumstances around the world, rather than one singular international anti-corruption court system.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, the Membership adopted a resolution condemning the unjustified and brutal war and acknowledging the role of kleptocracy in fuelling the conflict. The Membership called on governments to implement stronger measures to stop the flow of dirty money and eliminate loopholes that allow kleptocrats and the corrupt to find safe haven for the proceeds of corruption. They also specifically demanded the expansion of economic and legal sanctions against corrupt officials that support Vladimir Putin’s regime and the prosecution of its Western enablers. This puts the fight against kleptocracy front and centre of the next strategic cycle.

Following the decision by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) to strike down provisions of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive that allowed for public access to beneficial ownership registers, the Membership adopted a resolution calling for the EU to guarantee open access to information and transparency. It acknowledged the importance of public access in helping track down dirty money – and the special role civil society and the media have demonstrated.

The Membership also voted to strengthen engagement with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to shape the public debate around energy transition and related corruption risks in the extractive sector. Additionally, the Membership adopted a resolution to revise its accreditation policy that will help the movement to expand its global presence and enhance transparency in the process.

The 2022 Annual Membership Meeting also confirmed the appointment of independent members Onyinyechi Ough and Duncan Wood, re-elected existing board members Susan Côté-Freeman and François Valérian, and elected one new board member.

Newly elected member of Transparency International's board of directors:

• Andrés Hernández. Andrés has served as executive director of Transparency International Colombia since 2017, and has worked for the movement in a number of capacities for the last 20 years, including as director for citizen engagement for the chapter and as a senior programme coordinator of the Americas for the Secretariat. In his roles he has worked with public sector leaders and private sector businesses to promote integrity, transparency and access to information both nationally and internationally. As the executive director of Transparency International Colombia, he has built the capacity of the chapter by incorporating data technologies, developing the citizen anti-corruption school and strengthening the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre. Andrés also teaches anti-corruption strategies at Externado University in Colombia.