The battle against corruption is being fought everywhere, not just in the developed economies, but in transition and emerging markets and developing countries alike. The OECD has an important role to play, through its development work, its partnership programmes in transition countries and by disseminating information, not least via its online anti-corruption network. Let us remember that five non-members are presently part of the Convention and many others are interested in associating themselves with its principles. For them as for us, the OECD s Bribery Convention is not just about markets, but about values as well. Public repugnance towards corruption is deepening, which is reflected in the growing importance of civil society in the fight against bribery worldwide.
Modern democracies depend on honesty in government and in business.
They also rely on public trust. To lose that trust would be to shake the very rock on which our societies depend. Quite simply, the Convention is a pillar of support for our democratic values and beliefs. We have a duty to make it work. Only by doing so will we be able to reaffirm that honesty is the best policy.