Meeting with the heads of Transparency International to discuss the preparatory work for the largest global anti-corruption conference, which will take place in Vilnius

Special Investigation Service (STT) management met with the heads of Transparency International to discuss the preparatory work for the upcoming International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Vilnius on 18-21 June, 2024. François Valérian and Daniel Eriksson, the Chair and CEO of Transparency International respectively, along with Rueben Lifuka, the Chair of the IACC Council, and other representatives from the Transparency International Secretariat, this week visited the STT.

The decision to organize the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference in Lithuania was made by the IACC Council at the end of 2022, after the President of the Republic of Lithuania submitted Lithuania's candidacy to host this global event in our country. In 2023, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the signatories regarding the organization of the conference, with the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania entrusting the Special Investigation Service with the organization of the conference on behalf of Lithuanian Government.

During the meeting with the STT management, an update on completed organizational tasks for the conference was presented, and further necessary actions were discussed to ensure that the conference would be successful and effectively contribute to international efforts in the fight against corruption. STT Director Linas Pernavas emphasized that this year's conference should not only be a place for sharing knowledge. "We believe that at the largest global anti-corruption conference in Vilnius, we will be able to agree on common and actionable solutions that would help strengthen national anti-corruption systems for many countries, including Lithuania," said L. Pernavas.

Linas Pernavas, François Valérian, Rueben Lifuka

When speaking about Lithuania as a host country for the IACC, Transparency International Chair François Valérian acknowledged that "Lithuania is one of the countries at the forefront of the global fight for democracy and against kleptocracy. This fight is the fight against corruption." Meanwhile, Daniel Eriksson, Transparency International CEO, noted that "The IACC is an opportunity for all Lithuanians to show the world that they take the fight against corruption as a top priority".

Rueben Lifuka, the Chairn of the IACC Council, stated, "Lithuania is certainly a great host for the IACC 2024 - we are confident of a good platform to help re-energize the fight against corruption".

The guests also met with Giedrė Balčytytė, the Chancellor of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Darius Urbonas, the Advisor to the President of the Republic, and Egidijus Meilūnas, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. During these meetings, important questions regarding the organization of the International Anti-Corruption Conference, relevant themes for Lithuania, and the decisions planned to be adopted at the conference were discussed.

The IACC is the world's foremost anti-corruption forum, working to tackle the biggest corruption threats in the world today and successfully influencing the global political and economic agenda since 1983. Last year's conference in Washington D.C. was attended by Anthony J. Blinken, US Secretary of State, Maia Sandu, President of Moldova and many other dignitaries, while previous conferences have featured speeches by global leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Hillary Clinton, Kofi Annan, Al Gore, George Soros, Angel Gurria and many others.

IACC is organised every two years in a different country around the world: the latest IACC were held in the USA in 2022, South Korea in 2020, Denmark in 2018, Panama in 2016, Malaysia in 2015, Brazil in 2012.