Global Policy Forum

By Edith M. Lederer

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a landmark anti-corruption treaty Friday requiring politicians to disclose their campaign finances and countries to return tainted assets to the nation they were stolen from. The treaty, which the 191-nation body adopted by consensus, spells out measures to prevent corruption in the public and private sectors and requires governments to cooperate in the investigations and prosecutions of offenders. "The adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption sends a clear message that the international community is determined to prevent and control corruption," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. "And it reaffirms the importance of core values, such as honesty, respect for the rule of law, accountability and transparency, in promoting development and making the world a better place for all." It complements another landmark treaty, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which entered into force Sept. 29 and requires ratifying countries to cooperate with each other in combatting money laundering, organized crime and human trafficking. The treaty adopted Friday commits ratifying governments to require politicians and political parties to declare openly how they finance their election campaigns. But its biggest breakthrough was a provision requiring parties to return assets obtained through corruption to the country from where they were stolen.

As a result, "corrupt officials will in the future find fewer ways to hide their illicit gains," Annan said. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a landmark anti-corruption treaty Friday requiring politicians to disclose their campaign finances and countries to return tainted assets to the nation they were stolen from. The treaty, which the 191-nation body adopted by consensus, spells out measures to prevent corruption in the public and private sectors and requires governments to cooperate in the investigations and prosecutions of offenders. "The adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption sends a clear message that the international community is determined to prevent and control corruption," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. "And it reaffirms the importance of core values, such as honesty, respect for the rule of law, accountability and transparency, in promoting development and making the world a better place for all." It complements another landmark treaty, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which entered into force Sept. 29 and requires ratifying countries to cooperate with each other in combatting money laundering, organized crime and human trafficking. The treaty adopted Friday commits ratifying governments to require politicians and political parties to declare openly how they finance their election campaigns. But its biggest breakthrough was a provision requiring parties to return assets obtained through corruption to the country from where they were stolen. As a result, "corrupt officials will in the future find fewer ways to hide their illicit gains," Annan said.

U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte told the General Assembly the treaty was "a milestone achievement in the global effort to ensure transparency, fairness, and justice in public affairs." Philippines diplomat Victor Garcia said his country was among those damaged by corruption among high-level officials and their high-powered cohorts in the private sector. "Like the war against terrorism, this war against corruption must enjoy the widest possible international consensus," he said. Rwanda's U.N. Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, speaking on behalf of African nations, said the treaty will help prevent armed conflict and fight terrorists, who often use corrupt funds. The signing conference will be held in Merida, Mexico, on Dec. 9-11. The convention will enter into force on the 90th day after 30 nations have formally ratified it. U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte told the General Assembly the treaty was "a milestone achievement in the global effort to ensure transparency, fairness, and justice in public affairs." Philippines diplomat Victor Garcia said his country was among those damaged by corruption among high-level officials and their high-powered cohorts in the private sector. "Like the war against terrorism, this war against corruption must enjoy the widest possible international consensus," he said. Rwanda's U.N. Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, speaking on behalf of African nations, said the treaty will help prevent armed conflict and fight terrorists, who often use corrupt funds. The signing conference will be held in Merida, Mexico, on Dec. 9-11. The convention will enter into force on the 90th day after 30 nations have formally ratified it.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Policy Forum distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.