Mauritius gears towards OECD Anti-Bribery Convention Accession

The Public-Private Dialogue and Awareness-Raising workshop, organised by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), opened this morning in Flic-en-Flac.

The workshop will provide Mauritian officials with a practical introduction to the criteria for accession to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and related OECD standards. Through interactive thematic sessions, and group discussions, participants will examine how Mauritius’ legal and institutional framework aligns with international standards on foreign bribery, corporate liability, sanctions, enforcement and international cooperation, while supporting the country’s ongoing efforts towards closer alignment with OECD anti-bribery standards.

Present on the occasion, the Secretary for Home Affairs (SHA), Mrs Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun, underscored that the programme reaffirms Government’s firm commitment to strengthening the institutional architecture underpinning Mauritius’ fight against corruption and foreign bribery, while advancing its accession to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

Mrs Fong Weng-Poorun recalled that in May 2025, Mauritius formally requested accession to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, demonstrating that the country welcomes international scrutiny and remains deeply committed to institutional integrity and economic transparency.

Furthermore, the SHA noted that foreign bribery and corruption pose genuine national security concerns, with illicit practices financing organised crime and linked to money laundering and illicit financial flows. Addressing these pervasive threats requires a highly coordinated response from law enforcement institutions and all agencies involved in combating financial crimes, she observed.

"Our standing as a trusted international financial centre rests on political stability, the rule of law, and the credibility of our institutions," Mrs Fong Weng-Poorun stated, underlining that this hard-earned reputation is a vital national asset that must be protected.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery and Senior Policy Advisor at the Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security, Ms Kiki Calis, praised Mauritius’ bid to join the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention as a clear signal of its dedication to global anti-corruption standards. She highlighted that the workshop is designed to support Mauritius as it advances vital legal and institutional reforms, including the development of the National Crime Agency.

On her part, the Commissioner of the FCC, Mrs Virginie Lennon, remarked that combating foreign bribery effectively requires institutions to maintain a unified understanding of the convention and act decisively within their mandates.

She concluded that the workshop provides a vital opportunity to strengthen institutional connections, clarify operational standards, and learn from nations already implementing the convention.

08 October 2026

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Topics: Financial Services