The 2017 OECD Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity recognises integrity as a cornerstone of good governance. Integrity is essential for economic and social well-being and for the prosperity of individuals and society. By enacting the Law on the Local Anti-corruption System of Mexico City, the Government of Mexico City has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening its integrity system.

Taking its cue from Mexico’s National Anti-corruption System, the government of Mexico City created the Local Anti-corruption System (LACS) on 1 September 2017, enacting a package of laws to strengthen the institutional architecture against corruption.

This chapter examines the coherence and resilience of Mexico City’s public integrity system. At present, it is undergoing substantive reforms that will establish the Local Anti-corruption System of Mexico City. In line with the principles of the OECD 2017 Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity, it examines the institutional arrangements of the Local Anti-corruption System, with a view to strengthening vertical and horizontal co-ordination. It also suggests adopting a whole-of-society approach towards integrity by actively involving civil society. This chapter reviews how a strategic approach to public integrity can be mainstreamed throughout public institutions.

This chapter assesses Mexico City’s current monitoring and evaluation framework for integrity policies. It provides an overview of how the recently established Local Anti-corruption System can formulate a monitoring and evaluation framework. Evidence generated through monitoring and evaluation makes it possible to assess the performance and the progress of the anti-corruption system. From this data, lessons can be drawn that can be used to strengthen the system.

This chapter reviews Mexico City’s policies and practices designed to promote a culture of integrity in government, and it considers the challenges surrounding the National and Local Anti-corruption Systems. In line with the principles of the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity, it provides recommendations for action in the normative framework and organisational culture, so to ensure its implementation. The chapter assesses the required changes for promoting ethics and managing conflicts of interest in Mexico City. Furthermore, it examines whether the newly adopted human resources policies and mechanisms are effective. Proposed actions intend to mainstream the integrity policies, legislation, regulations and practices in effect. They also intend to guarantee public servants’ compliance with regulations and raise awareness among all actors who interact with the various government entities. Finally, it examines the existing mechanism for ensuring citizen and stakeholder participation in monitoring integrity and accountability within the public administration.

There is a general consensus among policy makers that an open organisational culture is needed to promote integrity, encourage transparency and detect misconduct. An open organisational culture empowers employees to voice their concerns and to feel comfortable to discuss ethical dilemmas, integrity concerns or errors freely. This allows public officials to feel comfortable to report misconduct. This chapter proposes a set of actions for consideration to create an open organisational culture in the public sector entities in Mexico City. In addition, this chapter recommends that Mexico City enact a dedicated whistle-blower protection law to encourage public officials to report misconduct.

Public sector integrity involves not only adopting regulations preventing and punishing corruption and integrity violations but transforming individual behaviour and values in society. It implies recognising that integrity violations occur amongst citizens and firms. When society shows a high level of tolerance of corruption, the impact even of strong laws and well-designed institutional arrangements may be limited. Government should thus enlist the active participation of the whole of society in promoting and adopting social norms for integrity, as a crucial element in preventing corruption. This chapter explores the level of integrity and the tolerance of corruption in Mexico City and offers recommendations for cultivating social norms for integrity through raising awareness, building capacity and eliciting changes in behaviour. The second section of the chapter provides some insights on how to instil integrity norms and values in youth, and gives proposals for including integrity and anti-corruption education into the curriculum for schools.

This chapter assesses Mexico City’s internal control and risk management frameworks and draft internal control legislation against international models and better practices. It provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the internal control and risk management framework in Mexico City, and how this could be reinforced to align with good OECD country practices in the areas reflected in the OECD 2017 Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity.

In line with the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Public Procurement, this chapter assesses whether Mexico City has developed and implemented effective general standards for public procurement procedures, as well as specific procurement safeguards to preserve integrity in the public procurement system. The chapter reviews the transparency and the digitalisation of the system, but also the access to procurement information. It also describes how to preserve integrity among public procurement officials, potential suppliers and civil society. This chapter also analyses the conflict of interest framework for public procurement officials and the private sector. Lastly, it describes the oversight and control mechanisms in place as well as the remedies and sanctions system.