Activities

On 23–25 September 2025, ADB, OECD, Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK), and Kementerian Pendayagunaan Aparatur Negara dan Reformasi Birokrasi (PAN-RB) co-organized the 12th Anti-Corruption Initiative (ACI) Regional Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. Uzbekistan joining ACI marked a significant milestone, expanding the initiative to 35 member economies. The conference gathered over 90 participants from 20 countries across Asia and the Pacific. With the theme "Integrity to Catalyse Social Development and Economic Growth", the conference highlighted how integrity frameworks can strengthen trust in government, promote fair and transparent markets, and support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Policymakers, law enforcement officials, business representatives, and international partners across Asia and the Pacific engaged in discussions on anticorruption priorities, innovative tools, and ways to foster stronger cooperation in the region.

In parallel, the Law Enforcement Network (LEN) convened to provide a closed-door platform for investigators, prosecutors, and practitioners to exchange experiences in tackling corruption offenses, and investigation and prosecution methods.

Established in 1999, the ADB-OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific provides a regional forum for policymakers, practitioners, experts, and private sector representatives to exchange practices and experiences to fight corruption and promote integrity.

OAI participated in the Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) on 17 September. During the session titled "Procurement Demystified: Anticorruption, Integrity, and Complaints," Integrity Specialist Noel Anderson and Senior Integrity Specialist Jung Min Han discussed integrity violations, complaints intake and investigation processes, integrity due diligence, and potential red flags in project implementation. PPFD Principal Procurement Specialist Sarah Colacci also joined the session to discuss procurement-related complaints. The session was attended by 47 participants from various ADB member countries and concluded with a Q&A segment.

The BOF is a one-stop forum for consultants, consulting firms, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and civil society organizations looking to provide goods, works, and services for ADB projects.

The latest issue of ADB Office of Anticorruption and Integrity’s Integrity eBulletin showcases insights from development experts on integrity risk management and particularly how it affects private sector development and climate action. Subscribe to the Integrity eBulletin for quarterly updates on ADB’s integrity initiatives and knowledge.

Forty-five representatives from Kazakhstan’s executing and implementing agencies, as well as ethics and compliance officers from key government agencies and state-owned enterprises, participated in a training focused on identifying integrity risks and red flags in ADB projects on 20 June in Astana. ADB Kazakhstan Country Director Utsav Kumar welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of mitigating integrity risks in development projects. ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity (OAI) also engaged with the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan to explore future cooperation aligned with its anticorruption strategy.

OAI delivers integrity training through RETA 10349’s Integrity Learning Series, tailored for participants with oversight functions and project responsibilities. For training requests, contact [email protected].

On 17 June 2025, 24 sovereign project team leaders and members participated in a hybrid briefing organized by ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity. They learned how to identify integrity risks and red flags in sovereign operations and strengthen integrity due diligence. Email [email protected] to schedule a customized briefing for your team.

On 17 June 2025, ADB conducted an Integrity Learning Series: Anticorruption and Integrity Training for Executing and Implementing Agencies session in Bishkek. Twenty-two representatives from executing and implementing agencies of ADB-financed projects participated in the event. ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity (OAI) facilitated discussions on ADB’s anticorruption and integrity framework, case studies, identifying red flags, conducting due diligence, and mitigating integrity risks. The training also highlighted the importance of sanctions screening and the role of stakeholders in upholding ADB’s zero tolerance for corruption. OAI also discussed with the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic regarding future collaboration aligned with the country’s State Strategy on Combatting Corruption (2025–2030). Delivered under RETA 10349, the Integrity Learning Series supports member countries in managing integrity risks. Executing and implementing agencies seeking similar project training may contact [email protected].

In a special issue of the Integrity eBulletin, ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity shares its 2024 Annual Report. Subscribe to the Integrity eBulletin for quarterly updates on ADB’s integrity initiatives and knowledge.

ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity (OAI) published its 2024 Annual Report on 8 April. The report highlights ADB’s latest activities and initiatives to uphold the highest ethical standards and address integrity risks in its operations for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Asia and the Pacific. Watch the summary. Read the report.

During the Partnerships for Anticorruption Global Forum 2025, held on 8–9 April 2025, ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity Head John Versantvoort participated in a panel discussion with the African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank, titled "Partnering to Address Demand-Side Bribery: A Multilateral Development Bank Perspective." Versantvoort emphasized that corruption in projects financed by multilateral development banks (MDBs) is also demand-driven—initiated by public officials who solicit bribes. He noted, however, that MDBs typically lack the jurisdiction to take direct enforcement action against such officials. While MDBs may not have formal authority to sanction public officials, this does not mean the issue is ignored. Versantvoort outlined the proactive steps MDBs can take, including raising concerns with national authorities where appropriate and feasible.

The panel concluded that to effectively address demand-side corruption, MDBs must uphold strong integrity standards within their operations and actively engage with national counterparts when corruption risks emerge.

On 13 March 2025, six representatives from the Integrated Solid Waste Management Project for Climate- and Disaster-Resilient Honiara learned about ADB’s anticorruption and integrity framework at a hybrid briefing organized during the project’s inception mission. The session highlighted identifying integrity risks and conducting due diligence to identify red flags in ADB projects. Under RETA 10349’s Integrity Learning Series, ADB's Office of Anticorruption and Integrity provides tailored training for participants with oversight and project management responsibilities. Executing and implementing agencies seeking similar project training may contact [email protected].