Members of the European Network for Public Ethics (ENPE) gathered in Coimbra

Created to promote public integrity and transparency, the European Network for Public Ethics (ENPE) was established in June 2022 on the initiative of the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP).

The Network now comprises 17 authorities from European Union member states and 4 observer members, who engage in regular dialogue on issues of public ethics. It was previously presided by ANAC (the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority), which was elected in October 2024 for a two-year term, whilst the Secretariat is run by HATVP, which was reappointed for a three-year term in October 2025.

The Portuguese Entity for Transparency (EpT) hosted the Network’s annual conference and plenary meeting in Coimbra on 20 and 21 October 2026. The international conference, organised in collaboration with the University of Coimbra, brought together Network members, representatives of European institutions, academics and high-ranking public officials on 20 October to discuss the theme ‘Preventive measures and EU Directive 2026/1021 on combating corruption’.

Ana Raquel Gonçalves Moniz, President of the EpT, opened the conference by welcoming the adoption of the first European directive on combating corruption. She highlighted the role played by ENPE in supporting and furthering European work in this area, as well as the importance of stepping up efforts to promote transparency, prevent conflicts of interest and uphold the rule of law.

Giuseppe Busia, President of ENPE and the Italian ANAC, also highlighted the progress brought about by the directive and the need to translate its principles into concrete action, through a preventive approach and a genuine institutional culture. He emphasised the ENPE’s role in fostering dialogue, sharing best practice and promoting common standards in public ethics, noting that integrity is a strategic asset.

On 20 and 21 October 2026, members took part in the ENPE plenary meeting. On this occasion, the Secretariat presented the findings of the 2026 comparative analysis focusing on the integration of subnational levels into the design and implementation of national anti-corruption strategies, as well as on the promotion of integrity at local level. The Czech Republic and Slovenia presented their national initiatives in this area.

The plenary meeting also provided an opportunity to officially welcome two new permanent members: the Luxembourgish Deontology Committee and the Polish Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA).

ANAC has handed over the presidency of the Network to the Hungarian Integrity Authority (IH), which was elected at the plenary meeting for the 2026–2028 term. Ferenc Biró, President of IH, outlined the priorities of the new presidency, emphasising the crucial importance of the next two years for the coordination of European efforts in the field of integrity, as well as the role of ENPE as a key forum for dialogue, the implementation of European rules and reflection on the Union’s future work.