The Secretariat is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the IAACA 1st European Regional Conference, held from May 13–15, 2026, in the historic city of Budapest, Hungary.

Marking a major milestone in global anti-corruption efforts, this landmark event brought together over 180 elite anti-corruption experts, heads of agencies, and frontline practitioners representing more than 40 jurisdictions worldwide. The conference was made possible through an unprecedented, powerful co-hosting coalition:

• The National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) of Italy
• The Integrity Authority (IA) of Hungary
• The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong, China
• The National Transparency Authority (NTA) of Greece

Opening Ceremony: A Call for Global Unity Beyond Geopolitics

Opening the landmark event, IAACA President and ICAC Commissioner Mr Danny WOO delivered a powerful address calling for global solidarity and decisive action.

Highlighting the timely nature of the gathering, President Woo pointed to the recent entry into force of the new EU Anti-Corruption Directive, which mandates all Member States to establish dedicated anti-corruption bodies. He pledged that IAACA stands fully prepared to welcome and support these newly established agencies by offering comprehensive training, expert resources, and an unparalleled global peer network.

Welcoming remarks were also delivered by the heads of the co-hosting authorities—Mr Ferenc Bíró (President of IA, Hungary), Dr Giuseppe Busia (President of ANAC, Italy), and Ms Alexandra Rogkakou (Governor of NTA, Greece)—who collectively reinforced the vital importance of European and international operational synergy.

💡 Fruitful Outcomes & Key Takeaways

The core conference featured high-level keynote speeches and dynamic panel discussions that tackled the most pressing modern challenges in graft-fighting, producing concrete insights across three main pillars:

• Technology & Innovation: Delegates reached a strong consensus on the need to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and advanced digital solutions to enhance corruption detection, map financial risks, and strengthen preventive frameworks.

• Education & Integrity: Speakers shared pioneering, cross-jurisdictional approaches to fostering a robust culture of integrity, focusing on youth engagement and public sector ethics.

• Policy & Alignment: The platform served as a crucial, timely forum for European and international authorities to discuss practical strategies, challenges, and opportunities in implementing and aligning with the new EU Anti-Corruption Directive.

Specialized Back-to-Back Training: Measuring Agency Effectiveness

True to IAACA's mission of turning promises into action, the conference was immediately followed by a specialized, intensive regional training seminar. Focusing specifically on measuring the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies, the seminar served as a vital platform for practitioners to exchange cutting-edge evaluation strategies and strengthen international networks of integrity.

💼 The 1st IAACA Executive Committee Meeting of 2026

Preceding the public conference, the IAACA Executive Committee (ExCo) convened on May 13, 2026, to review organizational progress and chart the path forward.

The Secretariat presented a comprehensive review of key milestones achieved during the first half of 2026. Looking ahead, ExCo members mapped out strategic initiatives for the remainder of the year. In line with the "Hong Kong Declaration" adopted two years ago, the Committee reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning toward sustainable, localized training models—maximizing global anti-graft capacity and streamlining cross-border intelligence sharing to ensure no anti-corruption authority has to fight alone.

Crucially, the Executive Committee resolved to hold the next IAACA Annual Conference and General Meeting in Morocco in November 2026. Looking further ahead, the Committee also confirmed that the 1^st Executive Committee Meeting of 2027 will be hosted in Saudi Arabia.

Together, we build a corruption-free world.