Public Integrity in Ecuador

4. Proposals for action to develop integrity systems in Ecuador

Abstract

This Chapter provides an overview of the actions proposed in the report divided into two parts. The first table includes the recommendations aimed at laying the foundations of a public integrity system at the national level through greater co-operation and a strategic vision. The second table reports the recommendations related to the institutional arrangements for integrity within the Executive branch and its entities, where the role of preventive actors could be recognised and enhanced. For each recommendation, the tables clarify the responsible actors(s) and, when relevant, the envisaged execution term.

The report has analysed the institutional arrangements for integrity at the national level and within the Executive branch of Ecuador in light of the first pillar of the OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity. Based on this analysis, it provided recommendations which aim to support Ecuador in institutionalising public integrity and a preventive approach to corruption through institutional co-operation and a strategic approach generating a vision for the country. While these are priority issues and crucial elements to lay the foundations of a public integrity system in Ecuador, additional efforts are needed to build a culture of integrity - both in the public sector and in the society as a whole - and to ensure effective accountability in line with the second and third pillars of the OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity.

Table 4.1. Overview of the key recommendations to lay the foundations of a national integrity system

Recommendation	Actor in charge	Execution term
Establish as the first priority objective on public integrity in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 the development of a National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	President of the Republic and National Planning Council	Short term
Initiate a dialogue phase among all relevant actors, including civil society and the private sector to discuss proposals and priorities in shaping the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System.	President of the Republic with support from all relevant branches, especially the Executive and the Transparency and Social Control ones	Short term
Adopt a Law creating the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Legislative branch	Short to medium term
Lead and preside the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	President of the Republic	Not applicable
Take actively part and co-operate in the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	All institutions which are part to the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Not applicable
Establish as the second priority objective on public integrity in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 the development of a National Integrity and Anti-corruption Strategy through a phased roadmap	President of the Republic and National Planning Council	Short term
As first phase, co-ordinate the development of an Action Plan to implement key priority actions of the National Public Integrity and Anti-corruption Plan 2019-2023 while ensuring the involvement of all branches of the State in its design and implementation	National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Short term
As second phase, co-ordinate the development of a new National Integrity and Anti-corruption Strategy for the 2023-2026 term through a participative and inclusive process which includes civil society organisations and private sector actors	National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Medium term
Co-ordinate the development and implementation of the National Integrity and Anti-corruption Strategy´s Action Plan 2023-24	National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Medium term
Co-ordinate the development and implementation of the National Integrity and Anti-corruption Strategy´s Action Plan 2025-26	National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Medium term
Develop a long-term integrity and anti-corruption state policy	National Planning Council in co-ordination with the National Integrity and Anti-corruption System	Long term

Table 4.2. Overview of the key recommendations to strengthen the institutional arrangements for integrity in the Executive branch

Recommendation	Actor in charge	Execution term
Assign the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic co-ordination and advisory functions on public integrity within the Executive branch as well as the mandate to promote integrity standards and values in public entities of the Executive branch to the Ministry of Labour	President of the Republic	Short term
Lead and co-ordinate the integrity agenda across the entities of the Executive branch and advise the President of the Republic on legal or policy initiatives on integrity and corruption prevention	General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic	Not applicable
Within the Executive branch: Develop, promote and support policies and initiatives aimed at mainstreaming integrity values and standards. Develop training programmes and arrangements favouring a culture of integrity focused on prevention. Ensure coherency and co-operate with the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic. Maintain co-ordination with other entities governing other integrity-related functions or at-risk sectors both in the Executive and Transparency and Social Control branches.	Ministry of Labour	Not applicable
Assign the organisational change and culture units or whoever perform their functions within public institutions and entities of the Executive branch the mandate to promote a preventive approach and a culture of public integrity	Public institutions and entities of the Executive branch	Short term
Within public institutions and entities of the Executive branch: Support the participatory development of integrity standards. Provide clarifications and confidential advice on integrity issues. Organise participative debate and discussions on ethical topics emerging from the advice function and surveys. Promote and contribute to the capacity building activities on integrity. Maintain co-ordination with the ethics and anti-bribery committees but also the transparency and open data committees and all the other actors or areas that have relevant responsibilities in relation to human resources, training, transparency, open government, internal control and audit, risk management, investigations, and sanctions.	organisational change and culture units or whoever perform their functions in the public institutions and entities of the Executive branch	Not applicable