Consulate General Events 2009
U.S. Consulate General and Dubai School of Government Host Talk on Transparency and Accountability
The U.S. Consulate General partnered with Dubai School of Government to host a conversation on the development of transparency and accountability standards for global businesses and governments over the last decade, with a focus on U.S. and international anti-corruption laws.
The event, part of the Department of State’s International Speaker Program, featured remarks by Ms. Lucinda Low, an internationally recognized expert on global transparency issues. Following her remarks, the audience was invited to participate in a discussion, moderated by Ms. Lubna Qassim, an Emirati attorney.
In her remarks, Ms. Low tracked the development of transparency and accountability standards for global businesses and governments over the last decade with a focus on U.S. and international anti-corruption laws.
Following her remarks, Low added: “Transparency and accountability are an imperative necessity for economic development, the rule of law and the protection of individual rights. It is important to acknowledge those companies that make transparency their priority and highlight their unsung but critical corporate initiatives, so that others may learn from them.”
Dr Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said: “Transparency and accountability are critical issues for our region, with local economies increasingly opening up to international investment. Hosting this conversation with government and civil society leaders is part of our mandate to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the adoption of global standards in the Arab world.
“These standards, as well as emerging best practices, have spurred multinational companies to develop and implement programs to prevent and detect violations of law in their business activities – or enhance existing programs – and to answer to an ever-widening set of enforcement authorities. They have also imposed a range of new obligations on governments. The discussion looked at these developments and trends from the perspective of the government and private sector.”
Low is a widely recognized authority on the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and related international conventions from the OECD, OAS, UN, and European Union. She has represented companies in World Bank investigations, audits, and sanctions proceedings in cases involving anti-corruption rules in World Bank-financed projects. Low also has significant experience in investment disputes between foreign investors and host governments, and commercial arbitration.
In addition, Low is a member of the Board of Directors of Transparency International – USA, and the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on International Law. She is a former Chair of the ABA Section of International Law, and former Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the American Society of International Law.