The First Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting (ACWG) of G-20 is set to take place in Gurugram, Haryana, from 1st to 3rd March 2023.

 

About the first G- 20 ACWG Meeting

  • It is under India’s chairpersonship, and Italy is the co-chair country.
  • Over 90 delegates from 20 member countries, 10 Invitee countries, and 9 International Organisations will engage in detailed deliberations on strengthening International Anti-corruption mechanisms.
  • Focus areas —
      • Enhancing the effectiveness of asset-tracing and identification mechanisms;
      • Developing mechanisms for rapid restrain of illicit assets;
      • Promoting effective use of open-source information and asset recovery networks;
  • The theme of India’s G20 Presidency is — “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family, One Future”.

 

Background of ACWG

  • The G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) was set up in June 2010 at the Toronto Summit.
  • G20 ACWG has been at the forefront of guiding the anti-corruption initiatives of G20 countries
  • Primary Goal — To prepare “comprehensive recommendations for consideration by leaders on how the G20 could continue to make practical and valuable contributions to international efforts to combat corruption.”
  • ACWG will explore the proactive sharing of information, improving the existing Mutual Legal Assistance framework and simplifying mechanisms for sharing of information between domestic law enforcement authorities in criminal matters.
  • The ACWG actively works with the World Bank Group, OECD, UNODC, IMF, and FATF, as well as with Business 20 (B20) and the Civil Society 20 (C20).