The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) stands with the global community today, December 9, to observe International Anti-Corruption Day 2024 (IACD) under the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”

Corruption is a pervasive challenge that transcends borders, institutions, and generations. It undermines the economic, social, and environmental goals that the CDB is committed to achieving in our Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). As a development partner, we recognise that combatting corruption is not an option, it is a necessity. Corruption undermines the integrity of the financial ecosystem, inhibits sustainable development, and disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable among us.

At CDB, our mandate to reduce poverty and deliver inclusive, sustainable growth depends on our ability to confront corruption head-on and help to ensure that we unite with other partners to combat it. By eroding trust, stifling economic growth, and perpetuating inequality, corruption acts as a barrier to the financing and governance solutions we work tirelessly to promote. For the Caribbean, with its unique economic, social, and reputational vulnerabilities, the stakes are particularly high.

As part of our commitment, CDB provides training and capacity-building opportunities to strengthen good governance, compliance, and anti-corruption frameworks in our BMCs. These initiatives are designed to empower public sector professionals, legal practitioners, law enforcers, private sector stakeholders, and our youth. This year, our efforts culminated in hosting a forum on “Caribbean Youth Combatting Corruption in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” on November 19, 2024, and a free virtual “Expert Forum on Anti-Corruption in the Age of AI” today. Both events place focus on the transformative role of AI as a key technology in this critical fight.

The theme for IACD 2024 highlights the critical role of youth in shaping the future of integrity. As the majority population in the Caribbean, young people must be empowered to combat corruption and leverage new technologies like AI as tools for good. In a world where technology touches every aspect of life youth bring the vision and energy needed to drive change. However, corruption poses significant threats to their opportunities and aspirations. By uniting with our youth, we can channel their creativity and determination to develop the innovative solutions essential for a corruption-free future.

Today, as we reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance against corruption, we call for collective action to ensure a future where integrity prevails. Together, with every mind engaged and every hand on the wheel, we can counter corruption and build a sustainable, equitable future for generations to come.