WHO policy on prevention, detection and response to fraud and corruption

Overview

The WHO Policy on Prevention, Detection and Response to Fraud and Corruption builds on anti-fraud and anti-corruption practices promoted by leading international professional bodies and peer organizations, particularly within the United Nations (UN) system, to adopt a contemporary definition of fraud and corruption and set forth robust mechanisms to combat them. Combatting fraud and corruption is critical for WHO, as they may impede the achievement of WHO’s mission and mandate. The occurrence of fraud and corruption in WHO activities would also be in violation of WHO’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, which articulates principles of independence, impartiality, integrity, accountability, respect and professional conduct. 

Fraud and corruption pose significant risks to WHO, and would be harmful to its objectives, reputation and effective governance. In maintaining an up-to-date anti-fraud and anti-corruption framework to effectively manage these risks, WHO provides assurance to its Member States, donors and the public that integrity and accountability are key intrinsic features of all of WHO’s activities. To this end, the Policy (i) institutes common definitions of a range of fraudulent and corrupt practices, (ii) promotes risk-based anti-fraud and anti-corruption approaches across WHO, and (iii) clarifies roles, activities and key principles and requirements for the prevention, detection, reporting, investigation and sanctioning of fraudulent and corrupt practices.