NEW YORK — Corruption is not only a crime but immoral and the “ultimate betrayal” of public trust, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, calling on everyone to work together and stamp out the global scourge, in all its forms.
Corruption during the pandemic can seriously undermine good governance globally, and send the world even further off-track in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he added.
There are also very direct risks to health: “Unscrupulous merchants peddle faulty products such as – defective ventilators, poorly manufactured tests or counterfeit medicines”, said Mr. Guterres, noting that collusion among those who control supply chains has led to outrageous price hikes, skewing the market and denying many people life-saving treatment.
The UN will continue to prioritize transparency and accountability, in and beyond the COVID-19 response, the UN chief pledged.
He also urged everyone to join hands against corrupt and exploitative acts.
“We must work together to stop such thievery and exploitation by clamping down on illicit financial flows and tax havens; tackling the vested interests that benefit from secrecy and corruption, and exercising utmost vigilance over how resources are spent nationally”, urged Mr. Guterres.
We must create more robust systems for accountability, transparency, and integrity without delay, he added.
Whistle-blowers, who expose wrongdoing, must get the legal protection they deserve, in calling out corruption.
“Technological advances can help increase transparency and better monitor procurement of medical supplies,” explained the Secretary-General, adding that anti-corruption bodies should be supported and empowered.
It is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument, and its far-reaching approach and the mandatory character of many of its provisions make it a unique tool for developing a comprehensive response to corruption.
Through five key areas — preventive measures; criminalization and law enforcement; international cooperation; asset recovery; and technical assistance and information exchange — the Convention covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector. — UN news