India has been elected to the fifteen-member steering committee of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) during a plenary session in Beijing, as announced by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on September 26, 2024. This election follows a multi-stage voting process and underscores India’s commitment to addressing international corruption and financial crime.
Significance of India’s Election
As a member of the steering committee, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the global agenda for anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts. The CBI highlighted that India’s expertise in combating corruption will be invaluable to the GlobE Network, which was launched under the G20 framework and officially inaugurated on June 3, 2021, during the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS).
GlobE Network Overview
The GlobE Network serves as a platform for international cooperation, enabling member countries to tackle cross-border corruption and financial crime effectively. Currently, the network includes 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. In India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acts as the Central Authority, while the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) represent the country as member authorities.
Collaborative Efforts
The network facilitates the exchange of best practices, sharing of criminal intelligence, and development of strategies among global agencies to combat corruption. The steering committee, consisting of a chair, a vice-chair, and thirteen committee members, provides leadership and direction to the organization.
India’s Commitment to Global Cooperation
India’s election to the steering committee aligns with its ongoing efforts to promote global cooperation against financial crimes, particularly following its G20 presidency in 2023. During this presidency, India championed two key principles for combating corruption, reinforcing the importance of the GlobE Network in global anti-corruption initiatives.