corruption and improve governance as a core strategic objective of its Strategy 2020 , and of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness of 2005 - to which ADB is a signatory - in support of effective , transparent , and accountable aid . OAI is the designated point of contact for allegations of fraud or corruption pertaining to matters and activities that are supported , financed , or administered by ADB . It is also responsible for ensuring that those participating in ADB-related activities meet the highest standards of integrity . ADB imposes sanctions on companies and on individuals which it finds to have engaged in fraudulent or corrupt practices . The length of the sanction period will depend on the circumstances of each case . In the case of companies , the sanction period could last up to seven years for first time offenders , while individuals may be sanctioned indefinitely . During the sanction period , the company or individual is ineligible to participate in any ADB activity . In an attempt to strengthen their anticorruption efforts through a unified and coordinated approach , ADB along with the African Development Bank Group ( AfDB ), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ), European Investment Bank Group , International Monetary Fund , Inter-American Development Bank Group ( IDB ) and the World Bank Group established the Joint International Financial Institutions ( IFI ) Anti-Corruption Task Force in 2006 . Four years later , ADB entered into a Cross-debarment Agreement with the AfDB , EBRD , IADB and World Bank . Under this agreement , ADB may cross debar companies and individuals that have been debarred or sanctioned by any of the participating multilateral development banks ( MBDs ), and viceversa . The agreement has considerably strengthened the anticorruption tools available to MDBs . Apart from investigating alleged integrity violations , OAI plays a proactive role in the fight against corruption . It performs an advisory function in the conduct of integrity due diligence involving ADB ’ s operations to safeguard ADB funds , reduce reputational risk , and combat money laundering as well as the financing of terrorism . It also recognizes the need to empower “ frontliners ” in the fight against fraud and corruption . These frontliners - ADB staff and external partners and stakeholders such as government officials , civil society , and the private sector - have the requisite knowledge and tools to detect and prevent fraud and corruption through workshops , seminars , and other training forums conducted by OAI . Furthermore , OAI conducts project procurementrelated reviews which proactively identify vulnerabilities in ongoing ADB projects and recommend measures to better safeguard project resources . ADB works with its developing member countries to strengthen anticorruption initiatives , improve regulatory frameworks for a better investment climate , and enhance the involvement of civil society in policy development and implementation . These initiatives help ensure that ADB ’ s efforts on anticorruption and governance make a difference , and that they help ADB to reduce poverty and improve lives across the region . ■
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