1.1. The Code of Ethics of the Global Business and Finance Association (GBFA) (hereinafter referred to as the “Code”) establishes ethical principles, standards of professional conduct, and rules of behavior for members of the Association. The Code is intended to maintain high standards of professional ethics, protect the reputation of the Association and its members, and promote the development of entrepreneurship, business, finance, innovation, professional practice, and public benefit.
1.2. The Code is binding on all members of the Association and applies to their professional activities, conduct connected with membership in the Association, use of the Association’s name, status, symbols, certificates, and other means of identification, and interactions with colleagues, clients, partners, other members of the Association, members of the professional community, and the public.
1.3. Members of the Association shall comply with this Code, the Articles of Association, the Membership Regulations, the Disciplinary Regulations, and other duly adopted internal documents of the Association.
1.4. The principles and standards of this Code shall be applied, to the extent relevant, in the ethical and reputational evaluation of candidates for membership. This Code shall become formally binding on a candidate upon admission to membership in the Association.

2.1. GBFA members shall maintain a high level of professional competence, continuously improve their knowledge and skills, and follow relevant developments, standards, and innovations in business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, professional practice, and related fields.
2.2. GBFA members shall perform their professional duties responsibly, diligently, in good faith, with due care, integrity, and attention to professional standards.
2.3. GBFA members shall comply with applicable laws and regulations, the Articles of Association, this Code, and other duly adopted internal documents of the Association.
2.4. Members shall not knowingly undertake professional assignments beyond their competence without obtaining appropriate qualified assistance or clearly disclosing the relevant limitations. 

3.1. GBFA members shall act honestly, transparently, and in good faith in their professional dealings, provide accurate and reliable information, and avoid deliberate misrepresentation, deception, concealment of material facts, or other misleading conduct.
3.2. GBFA members shall respect the intellectual property rights of others and shall avoid plagiarism, unlawful use, unauthorized reproduction, or misuse of the ideas, developments, materials, business solutions, or professional work of other persons.
3.3. GBFA members shall avoid conflicts of interest and shall promptly disclose any situation that may affect, or may reasonably be perceived to affect, their objectivity, independence, impartiality, or integrity.
3.4. GBFA members shall not use the name, status, symbols, certificates, membership, website publication, or other means of identification of the Association in a misleading, unlawful, unethical, unauthorized, or reputationally harmful manner.
3.5. Members shall not represent that their membership constitutes an endorsement, certification, guarantee, license, or approval of their business, services, products, professional opinions, or commercial activities by the Association, unless such representation has been expressly authorized in writing.
3.6. Members shall not engage in actions or omissions that cause material and demonstrable harm to the Association, its members, its lawful activities, objectives, property, confidential information, or reputation. 

4.1. GBFA members shall treat colleagues, clients, partners, other members of the Association, members of the professional community, and the public with respect, fairness, professionalism, and dignity.
4.2. Members shall respect diversity of opinions, cultures, professional backgrounds, experience, and lawful business practices and shall avoid discrimination, harassment, intimidation, humiliation, or abusive conduct.
4.3. GBFA members shall foster cooperation, exchange of knowledge and professional experience, mutual respect, and constructive professional relationships.
4.4. GBFA members shall avoid unfair competition, improper interference with the professional activities of others, dissemination of knowingly false or misleading information, and other unlawful or unethical competitive practices.

5.1. GBFA members shall respect the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their professional activities or in connection with their membership in the Association.
5.2. Members shall take appropriate measures to protect personal data, trade secrets, confidential information, commercial information, internal documents, candidate and member information, and other protected information.
5.3. GBFA members shall use information only for lawful, legitimate, authorized, and ethically justified purposes and shall avoid improper disclosure, misuse, unauthorized access, unauthorized reproduction, or other unlawful use of such information.
5.4. Members shall comply with applicable data protection, confidentiality, privacy, cybersecurity, and information security requirements, as well as the internal documents of the Association governing confidential information and personal data.
5.5. The obligation of confidentiality shall continue after termination of membership to the extent required by applicable law, contractual obligations, the nature of the information, or internal documents of the Association.

6.1. GBFA members shall seek to conduct their professional and business activities in a manner consistent with social responsibility, ethical conduct, sustainable development, lawful business practices, and public benefit.
6.2. GBFA members are encouraged to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of the community, including educational programs, environmental projects, social initiatives, innovation, entrepreneurship, professional development, and other public benefit activities.
6.3. Members shall avoid knowingly participating in activities that cause material harm contrary to applicable law, recognized professional standards, or the legitimate public interest. 

7.1. This Code and any amendments to it shall be approved by the General Meeting of Members. The Code shall enter into force on the date of its approval unless the relevant resolution provides otherwise and shall be binding on all members of the Association.
7.2. Violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action, including:
– a written warning;
– temporary suspension of membership;
– exclusion from the Association; or
– another proportionate measure expressly provided by the Disciplinary Regulations and consistent with the Articles of Association.
7.3. Monitoring, preliminary review, verification, and investigation of compliance with this Code may be carried out by the Management Board or by an authorized ethics, disciplinary, expert, or other internal body established in accordance with the Articles of Association and internal documents of the Association.
7.4. An internal body conducting a preliminary review or investigation may prepare findings, opinions, or recommendations but shall not impose a final disciplinary measure. Any final decision to impose a disciplinary measure shall be made by the Management Board. 
7.5. No disciplinary measure shall be imposed without:
– prior written notice of the alleged violation and the relevant grounds;
– a reasonable opportunity for the member to provide explanations, documents, and other evidence; and
– a reasoned decision of the Management Board.
7.6. When determining an appropriate disciplinary measure, the Management Board may take into account the seriousness, duration, consequences, intent, repetition, and circumstances of the violation, the degree of cooperation shown by the member, any corrective action taken, and the need to protect the Association, its members, and its reputation.
7.7. Complaints, alleged violations of this Code, investigations, disciplinary proceedings, suspension, exclusion, and other related matters shall be considered in accordance with the Articles of Association and the Disciplinary Regulations.
7.8. Members participating in the review, investigation, or decision-making process shall disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest and shall not participate in the relevant matter where their independence or impartiality may reasonably be questioned.
7.9. Information relating to complaints, investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and decisions shall be treated as confidential, except where disclosure is required by applicable law, necessary for the proper conduct of the proceedings, or authorized in accordance with the Articles of Association and internal documents of the Association.

8.1. The competent bodies of the Association may adopt procedures, guidelines, and other internal documents necessary for the implementation of this Code, provided that such documents do not contradict the Articles of Association or this Code, materially restrict the statutory rights of members, or create additional grounds for exclusion not established by the Articles of Association. 
8.2. This Code shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the objectives, principles, membership standards, and non-profit nature of the Association.
8.3. In the event of any conflict between this Code and the Articles of Association, the Articles of Association shall prevail.
8.4. Matters not expressly regulated by this Code shall be governed by the Articles of Association, the Disciplinary Regulations, other duly adopted internal documents of the Association, and applicable law.