Speech by Mandiaye NIANG, UNODC Regional Representative during International Anti-Corruption Day

10 December 2012

PROTOCOL OBSERVATIONS

HONOURABLE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION – MS AYANDA DLODLO
HONOURABLE RESIDENT COORDINATOR OF THE UN IN SOUTH AFRICA – DR AGOSTINHO ZACARIAS
CHAIRPERSON OF THE UNISA COUNCIL – DR PHOSA
VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL OF UNISA – PROF MAKHANYA
VICE PRINCIPAL – PROF SINGH
CHAIRPERSON OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION – MR MTHEMBU
CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION FORUM – MR VAVI
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL – MR LEWIS AND MR GOSS
MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTOR
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
DEAR GUESTS

ALL PROTOCOL OBESERVED
Let me start by reading you a brief message from the Secretary General of the United Nations – Ban Ki-moon:

MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
9 December 2012

As the international community strives to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and forge an agenda for economic and social progress in the years beyond, addressing the problem of corruption becomes all the more urgent.

The cost of corruption is measured not just in the billions of dollars of squandered or stolen government resources, but most poignantly in the absence of the hospitals, schools, clean water, roads and bridges that might have been built with that money and would have certainly changed the fortunes of families and communities.

Corruption destroys opportunities and creates rampant inequalities. It undermines human rights and good governance, stifles economic growth and distorts markets.

Corruption also aggravates environmental problems, through the illegal dumping of hazardous waste and the illegal trade in animal and plant life facilitated by bribery and under-the-table incentives that determine who is awarded contracts, especially for highly lucrative, large-scale infrastructure projects.

Preventing corruption is critical to securing the rule of law. The UN Convention against Corruption has 164 States parties, but we need universal adherence. The General Assembly’s historic High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law, held in September, stressed the importance of addressing and preventing corruption. Governments must play their part – and citizens must raise their voices.

Corruption is not inevitable. It flows from greed and the triumph of the undemocratic few over the expectations of the many. On International Anti-Corruption Day, I call on everyone to work towards a sustainable future where corruption is exposed and rejected, where integrity prevails, and where the hopes and dreams of millions are realized.

Corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social develop-ment around the world.

Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global GDP.

In developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount of official development assistance (ODA).
But corruption does not just steal money from where it is needed the most; it leads to weak governance, which in turn can fuel organized criminal networks and promote crimes such as human trafficking, arms and migrant smuggling, counterfeiting and the trade in endangered species.

With Corruption – Everybody Pays!

And this means that we all have a stake in fighting corruption.With the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the world has a powerful tool to fight corruption.

With 164 States parties, UNCAC is close to universal adherence. Calls have been made by all major fora, including the UN General Assembly, the G8 and the G20, encouraging countries that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so. However, adoption is only the first milestone. If we are to be truly successful in the fight against corruption, every State must fully implement the Convention. Anti-corruption words, must be supported by anti-corruption deeds.

It is at this point that I would like to sincerely commend the South African government and particularly UNODC’s long-standing partner, the Public Service Commission, on its great efforts to act against corruption. UNODC will be at your side and ready to assist where and when necessary.

The same is true for civil society and the private sector – Government cannot act alone here – and I am therefore very encouraged to see representatives and guests from all sectors here today.

In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deep ap-preciation to the University of South Africa.
Dear Council Chair, Dear Vice-Chancellor and Dear Vice-Principal, we are honoured that you continue to greatly support our efforts.

Thank you.