2019 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum

Today, compliance programmes and sustainability initiatives are common features in large businesses around the globe. Integrating responsible business conduct and anti-bribery measures into company practices show corporate commitment to a better society. Yet, sustainability commitments and commercial interests often seem to be pulling companies in opposite directions, affecting the way they engage with governments. This remains a pressing issue, with widespread perceptions that companies favouring their interests over broader long-term economic, social and environmental goals have too much influence in shaping public policies. Likewise, while lobbying regulations exist across OECD countries, responsible lobbying goes beyond integrity and transparency of lobbying practices. Few incentives exist to motivate companies to lobby “responsibly”, that is, argue for their business interests without going against the public interest.
This session will explore how companies can mainstream responsible lobbying practices into everyday business practices. It will also examine how governments can support company efforts to influence responsibly.