This summer, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative. This MoU establishes a framework for closer collaboration in the fight against corruption, particularly through the promotion of social accountability and preventive approaches in the infrastructure sector. The agreement underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing transparency, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and accountability through joint efforts.
Under this partnership, IACA and CoST will explore opportunities to jointly support initiatives aimed at increasing transparency in infrastructure through education, knowledge exchange, and collaborative approaches, including across languages and regions.
This MoU marks an important milestone toward joint learning, cooperation, and the strengthening of transparency standards across the public infrastructure sector, which plays a vital role in development yet continues to face significant corruption risks.
Petter Matthews, CoST’s Executive Director said: “We are delighted to formalise the partnership between our organisations. The size of the challenge around tackling corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency in public infrastructure requires a joint approach with like-minded international partners through increased multi-stakeholder working, transparency and capacity-building. We look forward to our current plans for working towards this goal with IACA.”
About CoST:
CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST) is a leading global non-profit improving transparency, participation and accountability in infrastructure to deliver quality infrastructure that improves lives and strengthens economies. With a presence across four continents, CoST’s approach of multi-stakeholder working, publication of data, independent review of data and social accountability supports anti-corruption efforts. Stay up to date with their latest work through our newsletter and our social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook.
About IACA:
The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), based in Laxenburg, Austria, is the first global institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in the fight against corruption, with a constituency of 81 Parties, including 77 UN Member States and four intergovernmental organizations. It implements capacity-building activities for practitioners across sectors, provides technical assistance, and offers standardized and customized programmes, academic degrees, dialogue platforms, and research initiatives. As an observer to the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC, and GRECO, IACA collaborates with governments, civil society, and the private sector to foster transparency, accountability, and Collective Action. More information is available at www.iaca.int.