This submission from TIA focuses on SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (partnership for the goals).
Effective, accountable and transparent institutions and integrity systems at a national, regional and global level are critical to combat corruption and bribery in all forms including illicit financial flows, money laundering, and tax evasion.
The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development recognises the corrosive effects of corruption. In its introduction to Goal 16, the UN notes that corruption, bribery, tax evasion and related illicit financial flows deprive developing countries of around US$1.26 trillion per year.
Reducing corruption is a crucial component of the sustainable development agenda that all state parties have an obligation to address. To ensure targets are reached, Australia must actively contribute to the identification of corruption’s causes and mitigation of its effects in both developed and developing countries, and ensure that where appropriate, ‘stolen assets’ are recovered and repatriated.
To achieve this, effective, accountable and transparent integrity systems are needed. Inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making is essential, and strategic partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society at a national, regional and global level will assist in meeting the SDG targets.