As corruption permeates the political, economic and social spheres of communities and countries, the stability and security of individual countries and of the international community are threatened and there can be few prospects for development and prosperity. Specifically, corruption hinders efforts to achieve the internationally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals, undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, distorts markets, erodes quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish. Evidence also shows that corruption hurts poor people disproportionately and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure.
Affecting developed and developing countries alike, corruption has become a global concern. The 2005 World Summit1 emphasized the need for solid democratic institutions responsive to the needs of people and the need to improve the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of domestic administration and public spending and the rule of law, to ensure full respect for human rights, including the right to development, and to eradicate corruption and build sound economic and social institutions. It further recognized that fighting corruption at all levels is a priority and that corruption is a serious barrier to effective resource mobilization and allocation, while diverting resources away from activities that are vital for poverty eradication, and economic and sustainable development.
UNODC through its Thematic Programme “Action against Corruption, Economic Fraud and Identityrelated Crime”2 acts as a catalyst and a resource to help States, in particular those with vulnerable developing or transitional economies, to effectively implement the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, by providing practical assistance and building the technical capacity needed to develop effective anti-corruption policies and institutions, including preventive anticorruption frameworks in the public and private sector.
The present document also draws on the lessons learnt outlined in the Programme Performance Review for the Thematic Programme on Action against Corruption and Economic Crime (2010-2011).
Action against corruption, economic fraud & identity-related crime (2012-2015)
