IRU and UN Global Compact join forces to fight corruption and secure global supply chains

International Road Transport Union (IRU) and UN Global Compact have joined forces to fight extortion and corruption along major road transport corridors and secure global supply chains with the official launch of the Global Anti-Corruption Initiative.

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and UN Global Compact officially launched the Global Anti-Corruption Initiative today (4 February) to combine efforts in fighting extortion and corruption along major road transport corridors and secure the sustainable development of global supply chains to the benefit of economies worldwide. Currently, transport operators suffer from lengthy non-harmonized administrative procedures and over-regulation, which create an environment conducive to corruption or other illicit activities on roads. Recent IRU figures show that drivers spend up to 57% of time en-route queuing at borders in some regions, with up to 1/3 of freight costs going towards illicit payments across Eurasia.

The initiative will collect information on cases of corruption along major international trade routes on 5 continents. An online questionnaire completed by road transport companies and truck drivers will help identify the areas of business and administrative activities, as well as geographic locations, that are most vulnerable to extortion and bribery. Results will be compiled into a final report providing specific recommendations to combat such corruption.

UN Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell said: “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the IRU to fight corruption through this initiative. This can go a long way to eliminating extortion, which remains a major barrier to sustainable development throughout the supply chain.”

The report will be presented to the Global Compact 10^th Principle Advisory Group in December 2014 on International Anti-Corruption Day. It will also be presented to governments of participating states and leading global international groups, including G8, G20 and Davos Forum, to draw attention to the negative impact of corruption on road transport and stop this economic impediment.

IRU Under Secretary General heading the IRU Permanent Delegation to the UN Igor Runov concluded: “The road transport industry is committed to working together with the UN Global Compact and governments to address corruption. The practical results of this initiative will benefit international road transport operators and economies all around the world.”

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