In an era when Sport is vulnerable to corruption and criminal infiltration, SIGA’s mission has never been more critical. Within this context, Katie Simmonds’ participation in the “2024 Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum” today in Paris held significant importance.
Hosted by the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) as a side event, the forum serves as a global platform for leaders committed to combating corruption across all sectors, including sports. SIGA’s Global COO participated in the panel session “Acting Together Globally to Eradicate Corruption”, with Scott Hanson, Director, Policy & Global Engagement, IFAC; Jesper Johnson, Deputy Head of Division, OECD, and moderated by Delia Ferreira Rubio, Former Chair, Transparency International.
The panel examined how the world is currently looking at Sport with the spotlight currently on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, and how SIGA is promoting a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption in global sports.
Katie Simmonds emphasized SIGA’s pivotal role in protecting Sport from corruption: with the support of SIGA, Italy’s B20 presidency in 2021 set the fight against Corruption in Sport as one of the top priorities; Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s CEO has been vocal on the topic, and is currently serving as a member of the B20 Brazil Integrity & Compliance Task Force, and as a designated representative of the European Commission Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union for the European Commission’s Supra National Risk Assessment.
SIGA’s COO message was clear: “Corruption has no place in Sport.SIGA’s zero-tolerance stance is about creating a united front to positively support Sports Organisation’s governance to deter unethical practices before they take root. SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity together with the world’s first independent rating and verification system for Sport – SIRVS – is the antidote to mitigate corruption. We are working with over twenty international sports organisations to support their independent certification process. By mobilising the sponsorship community and showcasing best practice we will achieve our purpose and raise the standards of the entire industry, safeguarding its reputation.”
The session delved into the strategies and collaborations necessary to foster a culture of integrity across borders and industries, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities of the Sports industry to lead the way.. SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity, were showcased as a blueprint for organisations worldwide. Simmonds discussed how these standards are being adopted and implemented across the sports sector, offering an efficient pathway to enhancing standards across four key areas:
- Good Governance in Sport;
- Financial Integrity and Transparency in Sport;
- Sports Betting Integrity; and
- Youth Development and Protection.
The establishment of SIGA’s Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS) was also presented as a testament to the organization’s commitment to not just setting standards but also ensuring they are met. The audience was informed how SIRVS operates as an independent third-party system that monitors, assesses, and verifies the implementation of SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity, providing a demonstration of compliance and accountability.
If you would like to find out more about SIRVS and the services SIGA offers to prepare your organisation to achieve certification contact [email protected].
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: [email protected].
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