WATCH: G20 anti-corruption working group meeting kicks off in SA

G20

Cape Town – Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi will today kick off the inaugural G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) meeting, which will run until Wednesday.

The event is set to be a significant step in South Africa’s efforts to combat corruption, a persistent issue undermining global integrity and the country’s resources.

The ACWG meeting is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Public Service and Administration, in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Department of International Relations (DIRCO).

As South Africa holds the G20 Presidency, this marks the beginning of a year-long series of events aimed at tackling corruption at both national and global levels.

The work of the ACWG is guided by the St Petersburg Strategic Framework of 2013 and the G20 ACWG Action Plan for 2025-2027, which aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Co-chaired by South Africa and Brazil, the ACWG will address four key priorities over the course of the meeting:

  1. Strengthening the Public Sector: Focus will be placed on promoting transparency and accountability within the public sector, with a goal of creating a Ministerial Declaration on good practices.

  2. Increasing Efficiency of Asset Recovery Measures: Discussions will aim to improve principles for managing seized assets, with support from global partners for technical assistance.

  3. Enhancing Inclusive Participation: The meeting will mobilize various sectors—including the public, private, civil society, and academia—to combat corruption collaboratively and share best practices through dedicated side events.

  4. Enhancing Whistle-Blower Protection: A key focus will be reinforcing mechanisms to protect whistle-blowers, with specific side events dedicated to enhancing accountability and protection measures.

The first ACWG Technical Meeting will include sessions on these topics, as well as updates on other significant anti-corruption initiatives, including the financing for development agenda and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of State Parties (CoSP 11).

This event underscores South Africa’s commitment to leading global efforts to address corruption and strengthen governance.

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