International Business Integrity Conference (IBIC) 2016: Trends, Challenges and Collective Action in Corruption Prevention

Since Indonesia’s democratic transition, the country has taken brave steps toward tackling the corruption, collusion and nepotism that precipitated the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis. Bold prosecutions of elite figures – including ministers, members of the House of Representatives (DPR), governors, regents and mayors, and corporate executives – have helped to signal the arrival of a new era of accountability and usher in powerful economic recovery.

In the 13 years since its creation, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has taken a leading role in the fight against corruption in Indonesia, successfully prosecuting 438 cases[1], resulting in hundreds of years of prison sentences, and successfully returning trillions of rupiah in stolen assets to the state treasury.However, many important challenges remain. Starting in 2015, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo embarked on a bold initiative to cut red tape and accelerate economic growth and infrastructure expansion amid slowing global commodity prices. The administration has worked hard to streamline a complex regulatory environment that when combined with rent-seeking behaviors among government officials, had left private enterprise vulnerable to extortion.

Coupled with these efforts on deregulation are new efforts to maintain a level playing field, in part by introducing corporate legal liability for corruption, to help provide a deterrent effect for unethical business practices. Legal reforms currently underway are working to bring Indonesian domestic law and law enforcement strategies in line with the nation’s international obligations as a signatory of the UN Conventions Against Corruption (UNCAC) and its commitments as a member of the G20. Through this twin-track strategy of reducing the impetus to pay bribes and increasing the consequences for doing so, the government seeks to promote a better business environment, based on fair marketplace competition rather than secret arrangements that promote private gains at the public’s expense.Against this background, the KPK would like to cordially invite you to the 2016 International Business Integrity Conference, to be held at Jakarta’s Grand Sahid Hotel on November 16-17, 2016.

Throughout the two-day conference, the KPK, together with a broad constellation of government ministries, professional associations, private firms and civil society organizations, will explore current trends, challenges and prospects for collective action through a series of key note lectures, panel discussions, and small group discussions.The conference will also feature an “integrity expo”, a curated showcase of cutting-edge government reform, corporate compliance, and anti-corruption programs, as well as a gallery of leading corporate anti-graft initiatives.Registration for the conference is free, and will be available to the public from October 10, 2016 to November 6, 2016 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Objectives

This conference aims to achieve the following objectives: Share knowledge and experiences between regulators, business people and civil society on the prevention of corruption