Compliance without borders

Compliance Without Borders (CWB) is a pioneer collective action initiative built on the premise that SOEs should observe the same high standards of transparency, disclosure and anti-corruption compliance as listed companies. This initiative brings together SOEs and private companies to exchange knowledge and build capacity in the areas of anti-corruption and compliance. The peer-to-peer skills exchange delivers practical improvements in SOEs through virtual, short-term, and pro-bono secondments of compliance experts from multi-national enterprises.

Compliance Without Borders is a flagship activity of the Galvanizing the Private Sector (GPS) programme, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. It was highlighted as a best practice by successive B20 Presidencies (Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia).

Areas of cooperation

The peer-to-peer learning programme facilitates the transfer of subject-matter expertise and skills using a practical, “learning by doing” approach. CWB is a hands-on tool for the implementation and promotion of the OECD Guidelines on Anti-Corruption and Integrity in State-Owned Enterprises and related international standards.

Specifically, CWB offers SOEs support in developing or deepening good practices in three areas:

1. Governance arrangements and integrity systems

2. Management of high-risk areas

3. Culture of integrity

Format

While every match is different, they will typically last three to six months and be conducted on a virtual basis. In-person secondments, during which the private sector peer is physically placed in the host SOE’s office, are possible subject to more extensive preparation and legal formalities between the participating entities. To ensure the programme is as rich and tailored as possible, the exact time commitment, frequency and content of the exchanges are determined together by the private sector expert and host SOE with the support of the CWB coordinators.

Why take part in Compliance Without Borders? 

• Join a diverse global network of compliance experts and practitioners from both the private and the public sector committed to promoting integrity; 

• Develop expertise on international best practices on anti-corruption and integrity;

• Get ahead of the game by discovering new corporate governance and compliance systems and techniques;

• Develop deeper understanding of global and regional compliance risks in company operations so you can develop better solutions.

Santiago Wortman Jofre, Policy Analyst State-owned Enterprises Unit, Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division

santiago.wortmanjofre@oecd.org

The Compliance Without Borders workstream is supported by the U.S. Department of State as part of the Galvanizing the Private Sector (GPS) programme.