Innovating for integrity: South-East Asia leaders chart the future for anti-corruption

Bangkok, 23 June 2026 - As corruption becomes increasingly sophisticated and digitally enabled, governments, businesses and institutions face new challenges in safeguarding transparency, accountability and public sector integrity. Recognizing that financial crime operates across borders and sectors, around 800 people gathered last week in Bangkok at an international conference on anti-corruption innovation organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

“Thailand has long played an active role in advancing the global anti-corruption agenda. As a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Thailand contributes to international efforts to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen cooperation across borders,” said Michaela Friberg-Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand. “At the same time, new challenges require new tools. The recently adopted UN Convention against Cybercrime reflects the growing need for international cooperation to keep pace with crime in the digital age.” 

The conference, titled “Anti-Corruption Innovation: Strengthening Transparency and Governance in the Digital Age,” was held with the support of the Government of Thailand under the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and other partners such as the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and the Knowledge Hub for Regional Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Collaboration (KRAC) under Chulalongkorn University. 

Discussions highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated whole-of-society approach to address increasingly complex and evolving financial crime threats across South-East Asia. Participants explored how governments can leverage digital technologies, data systems and innovative policy approaches to enhance transparency, accountability and public sector integrity. Experts also emphasized the need to keep anti-corruption measures aligned with national legal frameworks, data protection standards and regulatory requirements. This includes the role of beneficial ownership information, open data platforms and cross-sector collaboration in detecting and preventing corruption risks. 

Across South-East Asia, transparency, integrity and effective anti-corruption measures play an essential role in strengthening institutions, attracting investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic growth. These measures go hand in hand with knowledge sharing and the exchange of experiences, challenges and innovative solutions to advance reforms in government, business and the justice sector across the region. 

“In today’s digital and interconnected environment, corruption risks are no longer confined within borders or traditional systems. The NACC is advancing a more proactive and technology-driven approach: leveraging data, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to detect risks early and prevent misconduct before it occurs,” said Phattarasak Vannasaeng, NACC Commissioner. “Strengthening transparency and accountability requires the engagement of all sectors, and we must continue to build systems that are open, verifiable, and trusted by the public.” 

The conference reinforced the importance of strengthening governance and integrity frameworks in line with international standards under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). These efforts are relevant as Thailand advances its ambition to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by 2028 and gears for the forthcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation. Aligning with international standards such as the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention is a key step for sustaining economic resilience, maintaining investor confidence and safeguarding national security. 

"By strengthening integrity and governance frameworks alongside financial systems, and by enhancing the detection, investigation and recovery of the proceeds of crime, our interventions disrupt illicit financial flows across their full lifecycle: from prevention and risk mitigation to enforcement and asset recovery," said Annika Wythes, Coordinator of UNODC’s Corruption and Economic Crime Hub for South-East Asia and the Pacific.