Latin American states in corruption pledge

LIMA, Peru — Leaders of Latin American states pledged to tackle the crippling corruption that has been holding back many of the region’s developing countries at the two-day Summit of the Americas on Saturday.

Heads of state and top envoys from member countries of the Organization of American States adopted the Lima Commitment to eradicating corruption, which contained more than 50 concrete steps to promote transparency and accountability.

“We have concluded a commitment in Lima, endorsed by everyone, that comprises 57 points that the heads of state of all the nations that have participated pledge to fulfill,” Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told a news conference.

The measures include strengthening an independent judiciary to prevent impunity, protecting journalists and whistleblowers who investigate and uncover crimes, and ensuring open and transparent public-sector procurement procedures, as well as urging greater privatesector responsibility in combating corruption.

“The people of Latin America and the Caribbean are being let down by their governments and the private sector,” Jose Ugaz, chair of Transparency International, said in its annual report Global Corruption Barometer.

Increasing transparency, along with other measures, such as promoting greater integration, could transform Latin America into an important regional trade bloc with twice the population of the European Union, said Luis Alberto Moreno, head of the InterAmerican Development Bank.

“Together, we would be an irresistible magnet for investment,” he added.