The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has brought about unprecedented challenges of human suffering, uncertainty and major economic disruption on a global scale. This can create environments that are ripe for corruption and bribery. The OECD is contributing to a co-ordinated policy response across countries and competition policy is one dimension of that response.

This page gathers work on the possible impact and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the fight against foreign bribery and corruption, and provides options to help countries strengthen their anti-bribery systems. 

Anti-corruption compliance in times of crisis: Building resilience and seizing opportunities

This paper assesses the impact of crises, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, on anti-corruption compliance objectives, resources and operations. It evaluates whether the crisis generated challenges or opportunities for businesses in the area of anti-corruption compliance, and whether it led to long-term, structural changes. The paper offers recommendations for companies to improve their responses to corruption risks during times of crisis, and for governments to better support companies in this context.

Policy measures to avoid corruption and bribery in the COVID-19 response and recovery

This policy brief focuses on ways to help policy makers, donor agencies, law enforcement officials and the private sector ensure that the global response to the crisis is not undermined by corruption and bribery.

Statement by the OECD Working Group on Bribery: The global response to the coronavirus pandemic must not be undermined by bribery

This statement by the OECD Working Group on Bribery reaffirms collective commitments to fight foreign bribery under the Anti-Bribery Convention, underlines the heightened risks of corruption and their potential to undermine the global response to tackle the crisis. 

Blog: COVID-19 is a chilling reminder of why the world needs to protect whistleblowers

OECD's Leah Ambler and Apostolos Zampounidis look at why whistleblower protection plays such a critical role in the fight against bribery and corruption.

Blog: Bearing witness in Africa: Whistleblowing should not be single and lonely moment

Khadija Sharife underlines the importance of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption in Africa and elsewhere, highlighting the price paid by many of them and options for ensuring they are better protected.

Drago Kos, Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery, talks about minimising bribery and corruption in the COVID-19 response and recovery 

» Anti-corruption and integrity: safeguards for a resilient COVID-19 response and recovery 

» Emergency measures to protect whistleblowers & promote reporting during the COVID-19 crisis & beyond 

These webinars took place as part of the 2020 OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, which was held virtually.

OECD COVID-19 response hub 

OECD work on anti-bribery