September 28, 2024
India elected to GlobE Steering Committee on combating corruption
India was recently elected to the 15-member GlobE Steering Committee during the plenary session held in Beijing on September 26, 2024 after a multistage voting process.
About the GlobE Network:
- The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) was an initiative of G-20.
- The GloBE Network was officially launched on June 3, 2021, during a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption.
- It now has 121 member countries (India is also member of this Network) and 219 member authorities.
Key Objectives of the GlobE Network:
- Facilitating International Cooperation: The network serves as a platform to foster timely and efficient cooperation between anti-corruption authorities across borders.
- Promoting the Exchange of Information: It encourages real-time sharing of information, knowledge, and intelligence to support ongoing anti-corruption investigations and prosecutions.
- Building Capacity and Best Practices: The GlobE Network provides members with resources, training, and tools to improve their ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute corruption-related crimes.
- Supporting the Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC): The network assists member countries in fulfilling their obligations under UNCAC, promoting greater transparency and accountability.
- Enhancing Global Anti-Corruption Efforts: By bringing together a wide range of countries, the network strengthens the global response to corruption, particularly in cases involving cross-border criminal activity.
How It Works:
- The GlobE Network is designed as a non-bureaucratic, technical-level platform where national authorities can directly communicate and request cooperation in anti-corruption matters.
- Members can access a secure communication platform provided by the UNODC to share sensitive information and collaborate on joint investigations.
- Capacity-building workshops and training programs are regularly conducted to ensure that member states are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to tackle corruption.
Membership:
- The network is open to all UN member states that have ratified or acceded to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
- As of its launch, over 90 countries had expressed their interest or joined the network, with the goal of expanding participation to promote more effective global cooperation.
Significance:
- The GlobE Network helps overcome some of the traditional barriers to international cooperation in corruption investigations, such as bureaucratic delays or lack of direct communication channels between enforcement agencies.
- It is particularly useful for addressing transnational corruption, where criminals operate across borders and launder money through international financial systems.
- The initiative also aligns with broader global efforts to curb illicit financial flows, money laundering, and organized crime.
The GlobE Steering Committee is part of the Global Energy Food Systems Innovation (GlobE) initiative, which focuses on food security and sustainable agricultural development in various regions, particularly in developing countries. The initiative emphasizes collaborations between different sectors, including research, government, industry, and international organizations, to foster innovations in agriculture and food systems.
Key Objectives of the GlobE Steering Committee:
- Policy Coordination: The steering committee guides the strategic direction of GlobE initiatives, ensuring alignment with international goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other global frameworks.
- Project Oversight: It monitors the progress of various projects funded or facilitated under the GlobE initiative, ensuring they meet their targets and milestones.
- Collaboration and Partnership Development: The committee works on creating synergies between stakeholders from different countries and sectors to foster innovation in agriculture and food security.
- Resource Mobilization: The steering committee identifies funding opportunities, facilitating access to financial and technical resources to support sustainable agricultural innovations.
- Impact Assessment: It evaluates the effectiveness of the projects in achieving long-term outcomes related to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Composition of the Committee:
The GlobE Steering Committee typically consists of representatives from:
- National governments (especially from regions involved in agricultural innovation projects)
- International organizations (such as the FAO, World Bank, and IFAD)
- Academic and research institutions
- Private sector and non-governmental organizations working in food systems and agriculture.