Hyderabad is hosting the 2nd BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) Meeting on August 4–5, 2026, bringing together representatives from BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation in combating corruption, recovering illicit assets, and addressing fugitive economic offenders.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Rachna Shah, Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India, emphasized that corruption remains a major obstacle to sustainable and inclusive development. She urged BRICS nations to enhance collaboration in tracing fugitive offenders, supporting extradition, recovering stolen assets, and preventing illicit financial flows.
She highlighted the importance of technology-driven governance, citing initiatives such as the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), digital identity systems, and transparent procurement processes as effective tools to improve accountability and reduce corruption.
The two-day meeting will focus on strengthening the BRICS Repository on Informal Cooperation for Tracing Fugitive Offenders, expanding the BRICS Network of Law Enforcement Practitioners, enhancing Asset Recovery mechanisms, and addressing emerging threats from Financial Technology (FinTech) and Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) used for money laundering and concealing proceeds of corruption.
BRICS ACWG Chair J. Ashok Kumar welcomed delegates and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to developing practical tools and mechanisms for stronger international anti-corruption cooperation.