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IPACS STRENGTHENS ITS GOVERNANCE MODEL

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During its meeting on 16 November, the Steering Committee of the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) endorsed its Governance Guidelines setting out the principles and procedures of the partnership.

In accordance with the Guidelines, the government of Canada was appointed as the new Chair, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a founding partner, as the Vice-Chair for a two-year term. In addition, the following were confirmed as Bureau members:

  • the other four founding partners of the Partnership, namely the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
  • Australia;
  • the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF); and
  • the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

In his opening remarks, John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs at the UNODC, stressed that IPACS is a leading example of how multilateral cooperation can mobilise the support and expertise needed to help counter issues related to corruption in sport.

Following his government’s appointment as Chair of the IPACS Steering Committee, Jocelyn East from the Canadian government said: “During these pandemic times, people need to believe in something they love, cherish and can trust. IPACS has been precisely put together for protecting the integrity of the sports institutions to ensure people believe in sport and its benefits for individual and community growth. I feel extremely privileged and humble to receive this level of trust and to be surrounded by an incredible level of expertise, dedication and passion of the new members of the elected Bureau and of the Steering Committee. I really look forward to continuing to build on the hard and quality work accomplished so far. Let us move forward together as true partners and with anyone who wants to contribute to the cause of anti-corruption.”

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Pâquerette Girard Zappelli, IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, added: “We cannot win the fight against corruption in sport on our own – we need the support of governments when it comes to anti-corruption legislation, law enforcement capacities and prosecution. IPACS has already demonstrated its efficiency in bringing together all the key players with the highest level of expertise. The new governance model should encourage even more governments and sports organisations to join this important initiative, which will continue to focus on pragmatic solutions.”

Over 200 participants registered for the meeting, representing over 50 governments, 25 international sports federations and 14 intergovernmental organisations. The meeting was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Steering Committee was also updated on the activities of the four IPACS Task Forces, which have continued to meet virtually in order to accomplish their 2020 work plan; and it agreed on the road map for the next two years. The Task Forces will continue to progress towards the objectives set forth in their respective terms of reference.

Jeffrey Schlagenhauf, OECD Deputy Secretary-General, stated that: “What truly sets IPACS apart is the technical work of its Task Forces that have produced valuable guidance in key areas of sport where the risk of corruption is particularly elevated. In defining the road map for the future, IPACS should build on these achievements, but also reflect on how to maintain sustainability of its activities. We need to ensure that the Task Forces are empowered to continue achieving tangible results.”

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Snežana Samardžić-Marković, the CoE’s Director General of Democracy, added: “We welcome the move by IPACS to open up its Steering Committee to states interested in participating, and the high turnout on 16 November clearly confirms states’ commitment towards cooperating between sports organisations and those public authorities involved in sports policies and in anti-corruption efforts. As regards the results of Task Forces, we consider the new IPACS governance benchmark to be an important milestone on the path towards better governance in sport at both national and international levels.”

Hitesh Patel, Head of International Sport, Major Events and Sports Integrity, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), highlighted: “Protecting the integrity of sport is vital and the UK Government remains fully committed to IPACS. We welcome the development of governance guidelines and the new roadmap and will continue to play our part in the newly formed Bureau, working with partners to tackle corruption and promote a culture of good governance in sport.”

Please go to www.ipacs.sport for further information.