Director General/Executive Director
Your Highness,
Prime Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, allow me to thank the Government of Malaysia for hosting the Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards Ceremony this year.
Prime Minister Mahathir, under your leadership, the world witnessed Malaysia become a major economic force in the region.
Now you have returned to serve your country on a wave of popular support for anti-corruption and reform.
People everywhere are demanding justice and accountability, and we have seen the international community step up to answer this call.
This year is the fifteenth anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption.
As the Secretary-General said at the high-level event in New York to mark the anniversary, the Convention "represents the fundamental recognition that corruption is neither an acceptable cost of doing business nor a necessary evil. It is a serious crime, and simply unacceptable".
Fifteen years ago, there was no global instrument to criminalize corruption. Now nearly every country in the world is a party to the Convention and they cooperate and provide mutual legal assistance to prevent and fight corruption.
This year, the Security Council and General Assembly have held high-level debates highlighting the role of corruption in conflict, and the importance of reducing corruption and bribery and returning stolen assets to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Corruption harms us all. It stifles growth and innovation, and enables many other crimes, from the illicit trafficking of drugs, arms and people to the poaching and pillaging of natural resources and cultural heritage.
All of us have a role to play in stopping corruption and eradicating bribery - governments, international and regional organizations, businesses, civil society and ordinary citizens.
It is important that we highlight and celebrate innovative approaches and meaningful contributions to preventing and fighting corruption.
This can help to inspire others to raise their voices, to take part and join us in these endeavours.
I therefore commend His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani for the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards to recognize exceptional efforts made by individuals, groups and organizations around the world.
I remember when we held the inaugural award ceremony in Vienna with then Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2016. The sculpture of a hand, symbolizing the fight against corruption, stands in the UN Plaza, as it does now in Putrajaya Square.
I thank Qatar for this generous support. I also welcome the unstinting efforts of Attorney General Dr. Al-Marri, who is UNODC's Regional Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption.
You established the Rule of Law and Anti- Corruption Centre that in turn supports these important awards.
I offer my warmest congratulations to this year's winners for their contributions, and I encourage you to continue your important work.
In closing, I would once again like to thank our host country. Malaysia has played a proactive role in the Implementation Review Mechanism, being one of the first countries to finalize the reviews of both cycles and thus covering all four substantive chapters of the Convention against Corruption.
I thank you for sharing your experiences with adopting legislation and empowering the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission, and for continuing to be an active ally in this fight.
As guardian of the UN Convention against Corruption, UNODC remains fully engaged in promoting good governance, integrity and transparency. We look forward to continuing our work with you to support anti-corruption action around the globe.
Thank you once again.