Catalog

2007 Accomplishments

Interagency Coordination

As the primary role of OAGI is to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption in ADB-financed projects, by definition, OAGI's work is international and multifaceted. Given the common goals of all multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the environments in which OAGI operates, it follows that OAGI will face similar problems in terms of fraud and corruption investigation. In accordance with the recommendations of the International Financial Institutions (IFI) Anticorruption Task Force, it is vital that the various MDBs work together to harmonize their approaches to investigations and to share information. The Integrity Principles and Guidelines, which the President approved in November 2006, is an example of the effectiveness of such cooperation.

During 2007, OAGI continued to actively participate in the MDB Integrity Forum. The Integrity Forum comprises the heads and senior staff of the investigative units of ADB, the African Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. It provides an excellent vehicle to continue the work of the IFI Task Force in its endeavors to harmonize investigative policies, practices, and procedures.

OAGI attended Integrity Forums in Vienna and Tunis during 2007. The range of topics considered during the forum included ongoing harmonization matters, whistle-blowing, information exchange, relevant legal matters, and cases of interest. In February 2008, for the first time, ADB will host the Integrity Forum in Manila.

The Integrity Forum is evolving from being just a forum for the development of harmonized policy and for the exchange of ideas and information. In 2007, forum participants started working together to explore ways to address operational and investigative issues of mutual concern as a unified group.

Internationally, two staff members also attended the 8^th International Investigators' Conference hosted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) at the United Nations offices in Vienna. Such conferences and forums continue to provide excellent opportunities to develop professional networks with the investigative divisions of other international organizations and MDBs, and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information on contemporary investigative practices and procedures.