Public Office, Private Interests

Income and asset disclosure (IAD) systems, also called financial disclosure systems, are gaining prominence as a tool in the fight against corruption, and have the potential to support efforts in both prevention and enforcement. This contribution is recognized in the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and other international anticorruption agreements. Income and asset disclosure systems require that public officials declare their income, assets, and financial interests. They are intended to prevent and help detect the use of public office for private gain, and to help build a climate of integrity in public administration. As a corruption-prevention mechanism, an income and asset disclosure system can provide timely and much-needed guidance to officials about the principles and behaviors of ethical conduct in public office, and remind them that their behavior is subject to scrutiny. It also provides a means for detecting and investigating irregularities in officials' declared income and assets, and for detecting and avoiding potential conflicts of interest before they occur. 'Income and Asset Disclosure: Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners' examines the objectives, design features, and implementation approaches that can contribute to the effectiveness of an income and asset disclosure (IAD) system, and enhance its impact as a prevention and enforcement tool.