Vienna (Austria) – 13 December 2023. Corruption poses a significant threat to economic development and growth, distorting competition and exacerbating poverty and inequality. It is crucial for society as a whole to stand #UnitedAgainstCorruption, collectively combating this pervasive issue. On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD 2023) on December 9, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly called for reaffirmed commitment to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Ms. Waly emphasized that thanks to the UNCAC the international community has taken major strides against corruption, establishing strong legal frameworks, reforming institutions, and bolstering international cooperation. “We must step up our efforts to end impunity and face emerging corruption risks from the corruption that enables the destruction of our planet to the use of new technology for money laundering and beyond. And we must empower anti-corruption champions, especially among youth and women, and boost partnerships with civil society, academia and the private sector. This International Anti-Corruption Daylet's reaffirm our commitment to the UNCAC for a world truly united against corruption.” – stressed Ms. Waly.
The theme for this year's International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) is "UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption." This campaign, held every two years, marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Building on the success of last year's campaign, the 2023 initiative aims to emphasize the importance of assessing both the achievements and existing challenges in implementing the Convention, for the continued strengthening of this mechanism in the years to come.
Civil society plays a vital role in driving supporting the UNCAC implementation. Through promoting transparency, advocating for accountability, engaging with communities, and actively participating in the development and implementation of anti-corruption measures, civil society is a powerful ally in the pursuit of a corruption-free society.
The UNODC Civil Society Unit shares a selection of relevant activities, initiatives and campaigns conducted by civil society organizations around the world.
Zimbabwe: growing role of women in the fight against corruption
Sandra Matendere from Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust shared that their commemorations took place in the marginalized community of Epworth, Harare. Aligned with this year's theme, "Engage in Transparency: Advocate for transparency and accountability in government and business practices," the event invited participants from the Small and Medium Enterprises to promote ethical business practices and contribute to the country's economic growth. With 80% of participants being women and girls from vulnerable communities most affected by corruption, ZWACT also launched a report during the event, focusing on the impact of corruption on women's access to clean water and sanitation in Epworth and Chitungwiza. Ms. Matendere highlighted the role of women in the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.
India: creative collaborations
Manabendra Nath Mandal from the Socio Legal Aid Research & Training Centre (SLARTC) orchestrated a meeting of Civil Society Organizations in Kolkata in collaboration with the Forum of Voluntary Agencies, West Bengal, focusing on the theme 'UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption.' “We leveraged content related to International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), incorporating materials from the dedicated Anti-Corruption webpage. Additionally, we hosted a poster competition on 'Uniting the World Against Corruption'”, - noted Mr. Nath Mandal.
This week the tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP10) to the UNCAC takes place in Atlanta, United States, convening global leaders to make policy decisions and to continue its work in charting the way forward for the international community in the prevention and fight against corruption.
