The biennial meeting attracted leaders, academics and activists from more than 100 countries and territories with a call for greater action to combat corruption.

The four-day conference themed “Restoring trust: global action for transparency” focused on anti-corruption efforts to restore trust in five key areas: peace and security, natural resources and energy markets, climate governance, the corporate world and the Millennium Development Goals.

At the opening ceremony, Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva said that corruption badly affects economic growth and worsens poverty so countries should strengthen anti-corruption and build a transparent social network. He expressed his hope that the results of the conference will lay a firm foundation for international co-operative efforts on anti-corruption.

Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International (TI), added that corruption distorts markets and badly affects people’s lives, especially the poor. If the international community does not have proper preventive measures, it will destroy citizens' trust in government. He expressed his hope that participants at the conference will find practical solutions to empower both individuals and institutions to work towards a world free of corruption.