In conversation with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organisation
"Corruption corrodes the moral and economic fabric of society. It undermines values and value systems and erodes trust in public institutions and the notion of a fair social contract."
— Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
We were delighted to partner with Transparency International UK to host their annual Anti-Corruption Lecture webinar with one of the world's leading anti-corruption advocates Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, on 15 December 2021.
In the lecture, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala described corrupt activities as “cancerous cells” which infect entire sectors, thereby harming the socio-economic structures that underpin the financial system. She highlighted the challenges in locating, recovering and holding people accountable for ‘stolen funds’, and how even if returned to government entities, funds may still then be misappropriated. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala challenged private professionals, such as lawyers and accountants, to lobby for changes to laws which would asset recovery easier, and concluded that while fighting corruption can be dangerous and difficult, it is necessary to help address injustices across the globe.
The session ended with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s hopes and aspirations for 2022. These included working to remove vaccine inequity by increasing vaccine production and distribution; developing rules to govern digital trade and progressing a greater ability to track the receipt of the proceeds of corrupt practices.
Please find below a recording of the session and selected highlights which we hope you will find useful:
For additional information, please email Sam Eastwood.
