France’s Anti-Corruption Strategy in Its Cooperation Action 2021-2030
Corruption is a global phenomenon that impinges on all territories, sectors and actors. The World Bank and the World Economic Forum estimate that bribery and misappropriated funds which are difficult to evaluate, amount to €3.6 trillion, representing 5% of the world’s gross domestic product.
It is a major factor in slowing down development Economic activity and State legitimacy suffer from the many negative effects of corruption, such as the misappropriation of funds, dented investor confidence, confiscation of natural resources and lower levels of government resources. Corruption distorts competition, encourages informal economic activity and decreases tax acceptability.
Corruption also has an adverse effect on optimal funding allocation and the effectiveness of public policies. It affects the State’s capacity to provide high-quality services, by placing obstacles in the way of the equitable and effective distribution of goods and services. It contributes to greater inequality and erodes the trust of citizens in government institutions and representatives.
Trust is also dented when corruption extends to electoral processes, thus delegitimizing the democratic process. Overall, corruption undermines the rule of law and represents an obstacle to the fulfilment of human rights.
Corruption is a breeding ground for crime, including organized crime, terrorism and armed groups, when their networks draw on misappropriated funds or the actors involved use corruption to their ends. It is a contributing factor to crisis and vulnerability and has a negative impact on security and stability, nationally, regionally and internationally.
This is why France has made fighting corruption a focus of its international action.
This strategy will guide France in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 16 concerning the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Drafted by all the French institutions concerned, it will guide cooperation action for the years ahead.
Therefore, France will contribute to fighting corruption with three thrusts of action with eight objectives:
This strategy sets out a series of tangible actions with a clear timeline (accountability framework).
They include:
- Actions to limit risks, bolstering training programmes for public officials;
- Support for institutions and law enforcement officers;
- Close collaboration with civil society - France thereby reaffirming its determination to place citizens at the heart of its cooperation action.
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