Rome Declaration: fostering the culture of integrity and preventing corruption in Europe

Rome, 11 October 2024 – At their annual conference held in the Italian capital, members of the European Network for Public Ethics (ENPE) unanimously adopted the Rome Declaration on new perspectives fostering the culture of integrity and in corruption prevention in Europe. The signatories to the declaration express their concerns that corruption poses a serious challenge and threat to the stability and security of society, which undermines the institutions and values of democracy, rule of law and ethics, and jeopardises sustainable development.

The document emphasises the role of preventive measures in the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies, which is particularly vital in the age of globalisation, where corruption is increasingly manifesting across borders. Members of the ENPE also stressed the indispensable role of anti-corruption authorities, which can effectively engage in the fight against corruption by cooperating with different sectors of society.

Comprising independent authorities from EU member states, the European Network for Public Ethics (ENPE) focuses on promoting integrity and public transparency and serves as the primary point of contact for European institutions in the fight against corruption. The ENPE aims to promote a culture of integrity, approximate rules on the prevention of corruption amongst EU member states, and identify best practices. The ENPE plays a crucial role at the present time when the European Parliament and the European Council have to adopt the anti-corruption policy put forth by the European Commission.