Every Country Bears Responsibility to End Corruption, Secretary-General Says in Message for International Day

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on 9 December:

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the world’s inspiring new manifesto for transforming our world and building a better future for all.  But, as we undertake this crucial journey of implementation, a broad barrier stands in our path:  corruption.

No country is immune, and every country bears a responsibility to end it.  Corruption strangles people, communities and nations.  It weakens education and health, undermines electoral processes and reinforces injustices by perverting criminal justice systems and the rule of law.  By diverting domestic and foreign funds, corruption wrecks economic and social development and increases poverty.  It harms everyone, but the poor and vulnerable suffer most.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Corruption:  an impediment to the Sustainable Development Goals”.  Goal 16 urges substantial reductions in corruption and bribery and the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.  The United Nations Convention against Corruption, buttressed by its peer review mechanism, is mobilizing action for honest, transparent, accountable governance, but far more is needed.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the deceit and dishonesty that threaten the 2030 Agenda and our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet.