Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly: Statement on International Day Against Corruption
UNIS/HORNA/Dec.2022Corruption threatens our security.
It drives organized crime.
It corrodes our economy.
It crushes opportunities for development.
And it traps people in cycles of inequality and poverty.
On International Anti-Corruption Day, and every day, we can all act to stop corruption.
And we must.
Because our communities are losing out on trillions of dollars and countless opportunities.
As we face growing financial uncertainty, escalating conflicts, and climate disasters, it is more important than ever to end corruption.
UNODC is responding. This year we established our first ‘anti-corruption’ regional hubs in Africa and Latin America, to bring our assistance and expertise closer to the point of delivery.
We have enhanced our cross-border cooperation through the GlobE Network, with membership of 127 entities from 69 countries, and we have teamed up with the World Bank to bolster asset recovery efforts around the globe.
In times of emergencies, it is critical to have anti-corruption safeguards in place.
COVID-19 response and recovery efforts highlighted that with significant amounts of money come significant risks.
Anti-corruption efforts will prove essential to safeguard climate finance and to ensure that the green transition is not undermined by corrupt practices.
Youth and children have the most at stake. Bolstering anti-corruption education is central to our work to connect, engage and empower the next generations. This includes working to help shield sports from corruption.
As the guardian of the UN Convention against Corruption, we support over 185 countries to cooperate and take action to fight corruption. Next year, the Convention celebrates its 20th anniversary.
It is an opportunity to double global efforts to tackle corruption and ensure integrity across the board and around the world.