In 1996, the OAS member states adopted the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption. The Convention, which was the first international legal instrument to address this issue, specifically includes in its rationale the recognition of the international importance of corruption and the need for an instrument to promote and facilitate inter-country cooperation to combat it. Consequently, with that motivation, it set forth two goals:

- First, to promote and strengthen the development by each of the States Parties, of the mechanisms needed to prevent, detect, punish, and eradicate corruption.

- Second, to promote, facilitate, and regulate cooperation among the States Parties to ensure the effectiveness of measures and actions to prevent, detect, punish, and eradicate corruption in the performance of public functions and acts of corruption specifically related to such performance.

The Convention identifies acts of corruption to which it applies and creates binding obligations under international law. It provides for institutional development, requirements for the criminalization of specified acts of corruption and articles on extradition, seizure of assets, mutual legal assistance, and technical assistance where acts of corruption occur or have effect in one of the Parties. It also highlights the importance of preventative measures.