Transparency, anti-corruption, and sustainable development: Is progress possible?

There is growing momentum for initiatives that encourage “open governance” (transparency, accountability, and participation) to combat corruption and deliver sustainable and inclusive growth. These initiatives have, however, had mixed results despite the engagement of many international, national, public, private and other actors. The efficacy of open governance continues to be debated, with stakeholders asking: how to build on successes and learn from what has not worked; what role complementary governance factors may play (e.g., the rule of law, a free press, or space for civil society); and how the enormous array of existing public data produced by open governance initiatives can be better utilized.

On September 18, 2017, Brookings hosted an event to discuss new developments in how transparency, accountability, and participation initiatives can contribute to reducing corruption and achieving sustainable development. The morning commenced with a general, cross-sectoral perspective and then pivot to a particular case: that of the natural resource value chain.

Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, delivered opening remarks on governance and corruption. Following her remarks, Madame Lagarde participated in a panel with other distinguished speakers to assess the state of the global fight against corruption and emerging developments in that battle.

After a short break, we had a second session to discuss these issues in the natural resource extraction context, and to introduce two new research initiatives, one led by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation, and the other led by Brookings and its partners, Results for Development and the Natural Resource Governance Institute. This session was an interactive, town-hall style discussion that benefitted from the insights of experts attending from around the world, including representatives of international financial institutions, academia, think tanks, civil society, and the public and private sectors.

This event was co-hosted by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation, the Partnership for Transparency’s Anti-Corruption Forum, and Brookings.

The event was webcast live on this landing page.