This is archived web content selected for preservation by The National Archives.
This snapshot was taken on
22/04/2009
.
External links, forms and search boxes may not function within these archived websites.
.

UN Convention Against Corruption – a global response to a global problem

We all know the shocking estimates about the scale of corruption and its impact on the poor: US$ 1 trillion is paid annually in bribes; $500-800bn of illicit funds flow out of the developing world annually; and 41% of respondents on low income felt their lives were “very significantly” affected by corruption (2003 Global Corruption Barometer).

But did you know that DFID is funding 16 police officers in the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police to help combat looting by political elites and crack down on foreign bribery? As a result of their work, UK authorities have seized £150m assets, secured 4 convictions and returned a total of £20m. The police have worked closely with authorities in Nigeria, Bangladesh and Brazil and are in contact with 6 other developing countries.

This is all part of our work to help meet the UK’s commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). UNCAC is the first legally binding, international anti-corruption convention – ensuring a global response to a global problem.

Why is DFID involved?

UNCAC represents a set of global standards in the fight against corruption. It balances the commitment of developing countries to improve their anti-corruption standards with the agreement of developed countries to take action on the ‘supply side’ of corruption, including the recovery of stolen assets laundered through world financial centres.

UNCAC should be the basis for how donors support anti-corruption efforts. UNCAC also provides the framework for a dialogue with developing countries around common anti-corruption standards. This will in time strengthen the way in which DFID assesses a partner’s commitment to tackling corruption and understands the level of fiduciary risk.

Objectives for the third Conference of States Parties, Doha 2009

The next UNCAC Conference of States Parties (CoSP) will take place in November in Doha. The CoSP is the governing body of the Convention, DFID will lead the UK delegation to this conference .

The Secretary of State has agreed the UK’s influencing strategy in the run up to the meeting. Our broad objectives for the meeting are to:

  • Secure an effective, credible process to review implementation of UNCAC
  • Secure stronger international cooperation on asset recovery through improved intelligence gathering, identification and tracing of assets and reduced barriers to repatriation of assets.
  • Secure increased and better quality technical co-operation to support developing countries meet their UNCAC commitments

By ensuring that there are common standards agreed on tackling corruption and by having a process to review implementation, donors will be better placed to identify key gaps and to take action to address them. This will in the long-term help to mitigate the damage caused to partner states by corrupt activities and the illicit flow of money derived from state funds. Better governance will provide an opportunity for better development and encourage greater private investment in developing states.

Where can I find more information?

Who is my DFID contact?

UNCAC and negotiations - Nimesh Jani 020 7023 1796

Asset Recovery – Piers Harrison 020 7023 0722

Technical Assistance – Andrew Preston 020 7023 0226