Strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity in defence and security
Senior civilian and military leaders and experts met to develop a better understanding of the strategic impact of corruption and identify practical actions to strengthen transparency, accountability in the defence and security sector. The discussions were held at the 2013 Building Integrity (BI) Conference, which took place in Monterey, the United States from 26 to 28 February. Participants also examined NATO’s contribution to promoting good practice in this area.
The agenda reflected commitments made at NATO’s 2012 Chicago Summit as well as discussions at the July 2012 Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan, which highlighted the strategic and operational importance of strengthening good governance and countering corruption.
Ambassador Brengelmann, Assistant Secretary for NATO Political Affairs and Security Policy, highlighted the importance of developing defence institutions that are trusted and effective. The current economic climate makes tough choices even tougher. “From the outset the Building Integrity Programme has focused on providing practical support; embedding good governance into our defence institutions and structures and building smart institutions in an age of austerity.”
Dr J. Schear, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (Policy) for Partnership Strategy and Stability Operations, underlined that “Building and sustaining integrity, transparency accountability, along with efficiency and effectiveness, requires daily efforts that are not always apparent to outside observers.”
Education: a key agent for transformation
Education is a key agent for transformation and capacity building. Ambassador Brengelmann expressed appreciation for the leadership provided by Allied Command Transformation in developing the NATO BI Education and Training Plan, as recommended by the 2011 BI Conference.
“The Building Integrity programme is part of NATO’s commitment to strengthening good governance and it potentially encompasses all of the Alliance’s core tasks: collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security,” said Supreme Allied Command Transformation General Palmeros. “Building Integrity is one of the best examples of the importance of education and training in a changing and challenging environment,” he added.
Conducted every two years, the BI Conference is organised within the framework of the Building Integrity Programme, which is supported by a Trust Fund led by Belgium, Bulgaria, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The BI Conferences are organised in cooperation with the US Office of the Secretary of Defence.
The BI Programme is open to NATO Allies and partner countries from the Euro Atlantic area, the Mediterranean region and the broader Middle East, as well as partners from across the globe. All were represented for the first time at the 2013 BI Conference. Participants included subject-matter experts from national administrations, international organisations, civil society and the private sector.