How Transparency International fought corruption in 2024 - A message from CEO, Maíra Martini

16/05/2025: How Transparency International fought corruption in 2024

A message from our CEO, Maíra Martini 

We are living in an era when tackling corruption and ensuring those with power are accountable to the common good is more important than ever. Corruption is jeopardising action to solve many of the biggest problems we see today – from corrosive inequality and polarised societies to the climate crisis and conflict. Around the world, we are seeing examples of vested interests influencing policies and a concerning shrinking of democratic processes and civic space. Recently, another chapter of our global movement was forced into operating in exile – Transparency International Venezuela. Many others are operating in a context of disinformation, harassment and limited resources. 

In the face of these challenges, I’m proud that in 2024 Transparency International, collaborating with allies, helped drive forward some important steps in our joint mission to shape a world free from corruption. 

Transparency International drew G20 leaders’ attention to corruption in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Photo: Marcelo Maragni / Handmaker Produções Audiovisuais Ltda 

Following years of campaigning, we were pleased to see the European Union (EU) introduce new laws to tackle money laundering that included many of our recommendations. From revealing the real identity of company owners to establishing a new Anti-Money Laundering Authority – with powers to police high-risk banks and take over from national supervisory authorities that fail to do their jobs – these measures will make it harder for illicit financial flows to enter the EU. Going forward, we’ll keep pushing for action to close remaining loopholes, including those that allow dirty money to flow into real estate. 

As billions of people voted in elections, we designed and launched new global integrity standards for political financing to curb the undue influence that the super-rich and corporations can have on political decisions. Authorities in 15 EU countries have committed to embed Integrity Pacts – our key tool for good governance in public procurement – in EU-funded public investments. This will help shield millions of euros from potential misuse. 

We made sure that tackling corruption was high up the agenda in major international forums. With partners, we brought anti-corruption measures into the United Nation’s Financing for Development agenda. Our creative stunt at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil sent a powerful visual reminder to G20 leaders that corruption must become a priority issue.  

 

We will continue calling for governments, businesses and multilateral institutions to adopt the highest standards that protect the public interest, including on new realities like artificial intelligence.

In this critical decade for mobilising climate action and resources at scale, it was deeply disappointing to see fossil fuel interests dominate the conversation at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. We are committed to improving how governments and businesses approach climate negotiations by pushing for greater transparency and tighter rules around lobbying and conflicts of interest, so that policies reflect the common good and resources needed to mitigate and adapt are safeguarded from corruption. It is also vital that the voices of those already affected by climate impacts are heard at the highest level, and our work helped to unblock financial barriers to enable communities to seek justice. 

Transparency International is a global movement, and we know that together we can be more than the sum of our parts. I’d like to highlight the work of our Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres, which provide free, confidential advice to victims and witnesses of corruption, and this year supported more than 10,000 people in 53 countries. And I am inspired by the courage and commitment of colleagues from our 112 national chapters who work tirelessly to push for real change in their countries and beyond. 

Over 700 people joined Transparency International Kenya’s Integrity Walk to reject corruption. Photo: Transparency International Kenya. 

We are also part of a wider international community of diverse corruption fighters dedicated to creating a better future. This was particularly clear at the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania where we brought together more than 2000 policymakers, business leaders, experts and activists to guide worldwide action against corruption. 

It is an honour to be leading Transparency International at this time, and I am hugely grateful for the unwavering trust and support from our donors, partners and supporters everywhere. Our work would not be possible without you. This year, we will continue calling for governments, businesses and multilateral institutions to adopt the highest standards that protect the public interest, including on new realities like artificial intelligence. Together, we will continue to empower communities to stand up against corruption and build a more equal, just and democratic world. 

Maíra Martini
Chief Executive Officer, Transparency International