The United Nations General Assembly designated 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it. The Convention entered into force in December 2005.

FORUM: "Recover with integrity." International Anti-corruption Day 2020.

Corruption thrives in times of crisis and the ongoing global pandemic is no exception. States all over the world have taken significant measures to address the health emergency and to avoid a global economic collapse. They hastily mobilized billions in funds to procure medical equipment and provide an economic safety net for citizens and businesses in distress. The urgent responses required, however, led some States to trade compliance, oversight and accountability for achievement of rapid impact, thus creating significant opportunities for corruption. “RECOVER with INTEGRITY” highlights that only by putting effective corruption mitigation measures in place will a better recovery be possible, while it also emphasizes that inclusive COVID-19 recovery can only be achieved with integrity.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Anti-Corruption Day 2020, December 9th.

In recent years, anger and frustration have erupted at corrupt leaders and governments. In some countries, people have taken to the streets with demands for social justice and accountability.

Amidst these deep concerns, the COVID-19 crisis creates additional opportunities for corruption. Governments are spending rapidly to get economies back on track, provide emergency support and procure medical supplies. Oversight may be weaker. And the development of vaccines and treatments adds to the risk of bribery and profiteering.

Corruption drains resources from people who need them, undermines trust in institutions, exacerbates the vast inequalities exposed by the virus, and hinders a strong recovery. We cannot allow stimulus funds and vital emergency resources to be diverted.

Recovery from the pandemic must include measures to prevent and combat corruption and bribery. We need broad partnerships to strengthen oversight, accountability and transparency, building on the global anti-corruption tools provided by the United Nations Conventions against Corruption.

Action against corruption should be part of broader national and international reforms and initiatives to strengthen good governance, tackle illicit financial flows and tax havens, and return stolen assets, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. We must take the opportunity for ambitious reforms and initiatives at the first-ever General Assembly special session against corruption next year.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, all of us – governments, businesses, civil society and all stakeholders – must resolve to work together to promote accountability and end corruption and bribery for a more just and equal world.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, all of us – governments, businesses, civil society and all stakeholders – must resolve to work together to promote accountability and end corruption and bribery for a more just and equal world.”

Secretary-General António Guterres

Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the General Assembly on "Corruption in the time of COVID-19: A double threat"

Distinguished delegates,

Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. I would like to pay particular thanks to the Permanent Missions of the Republics of Colombia and Peru, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for organising this important event. Corruption is hindering the effective promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This crime does not stand alone. It is closely linked to organized crime, terrorism, conflict, human rights violations, environmental degradation and poverty. It directly threatens peace and stability and is a consequence and driver of conflict.

Corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic may jeopardize a State’s ability to respond to, and recover from, this crisis.

Corruption has led to scarcity in essential protection, life-saving equipment, adequate assistance and the provision of vital services. Corruption has caused extra lives to be lost during this pandemic.

Vaccines against COVID-19 are starting to be approved and distributed. I urge you to make every effort to ensure that corruption does not prevent or impede the equitable distribution of vaccines or worse, lead to the falsification of vaccines, creating a double threat.

No country, region or community is immune. Corruption is a global problem, that requires global solutions.

The United Nations General Assembly, adopted the first legally-binding instrument against corruption, the UN Convention against Corruption, in 2003, which sets out what parties should do t, strengthen their legal and regulatory systems to fight corruption.

In June 2021 next year, the first-ever UN General Assembly special session focused on corruption will take place in New York. The special session will provide an opportunity to shape the global anti-corruption agenda for the next decade – by advancing effective and innovative approaches, sharing best practices and developing new standards and mechanisms. I encourage all Member States to participate in the special session next year, with proposals to combat corruption, and strengthen international cooperation.

Thank you.

CAMPAIGN : Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, the media and citizens around the world are joining forces to fight this crime. The United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are at the forefront of these efforts.

AUDIO-VIDEO PODCASTS

As a part of the celebrations of the International Day Against Corruption 2020 , the virtual side event entitled "Corruption in the Time of COVID-19: A Double Threat" is co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Colombia and Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations, and by the New York Bureau of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global GDP. In developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount of official development assistance.