Statement in respons to the presentation by the Special Representative of the CiO on Combatting Corruption, Prof. Anita Ramasastry

As delivered by Minister Councellor Knut-Are Sprauten Okstad at the Permanent Council, Vienna, 12 December 2024

Madame Chair,

Allow me to join others in warmly welcoming Special Representative Professor Anita Ramasastry to the Permanent Council, and let me commend you, Professor, for your invaluable efforts to tackle corruption through transparency, integrity, accountability, and inclusiveness.

Grand corruption thrives where checks on executive power are weak and private influence goes unchecked. We agree that corruption is not only an economic or governance issue; it is the very bridge that authoritarian leaders use to seize and maintain power, and thus must also be viewed as a core democratic imperative.

Robust anti-corruption measures include empowering journalists and civil society to investigate and expose wrongdoing unhindered, ensuring they can operate without fear of reprisal. Regulation and control mechanisms must also adapt to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies and globalization. We therefore welcome the OSCE conference commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day and look forward to the OSCE’s progress report.

Corruption cuts across all OSCE dimensions — demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response that the OSCE is uniquely positioned to spearhead, ensuring that this challenge remains at the forefront of our shared agenda and guiding our collective actions toward a more just, stable, and prosperous future.

 

Thank you.