Anti-Corruption Commitments Tracking – Focused on the G20
Tool for tracking G20 countries’ anti-corruption promises. Will design an index/tool to measure and compare G20 efforts against corruption using both commitment tracking and performance indicators. Includes options for independent implementation.
About
Over the past three decades, the global approach to corruption has undergone a profound transformation—from an era where bribes were tax deductible, to a time where anti-corruption is a central concern of citizens, media, and political leaders alike. Today, corruption is widely recognized as a threat to democracy, economic integrity, equitable access to services, and political stability.
Encouragingly, G20 member states have made numerous commitments to combat corruption. Between 2008 and June 2019, G20 leaders issued at least 115 anti-money laundering and anti-corruption commitments, with further declarations emerging from the 2020 Riyadh Summit. However, despite this momentum, there remains a significant gap between commitment and action. Many promises have not been operationalized through national strategies, funded initiatives, or measurable outcomes. There is also limited transparency in tracking whether these commitments are ever fulfilled.
The GCFFC sees a pressing need to bridge this gap through an Anti-Corruption Commitments Tracking Initiative. This initiative will focus on designing a tool or methodology to assess G20 countries’ progress in delivering on their anti-corruption promises.
Key Challenges:
Measuring corruption is inherently difficult, as it is often hidden, underreported, and complex.
There is no single metric that fully captures corruption or progress in fighting it.
Country monitoring mechanisms (e.g. under UNCAC and OECD) exist but are not sufficiently transparent, comparative, or impact-oriented.
Key Deliverables:
The Working Group will seek to:
Identify and review existing anti-corruption indicators that may be viable for tracking progress across jurisdictions.
Develop an “Effectiveness Tool” or Index tailored to the G20 that enables comparative assessments over time.
Establish a framework for measuring both actions taken and their outcomes, such as reductions in corruption prevalence, improved institutional quality, or stronger enforcement.
Explore two potential implementation pathways:
A GCFFC-designed Anti-Corruption Index focused on G20 nations.
A similar tool implemented by an independent partner organization with GCFFC support.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to introduce greater accountability, transparency, and policy rigor into global anti-corruption efforts—by providing clear metrics, targets, and insights that can guide future action.