The United Nations, UN, Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday observed that terrorist attacks in Nigeria and some other affected countries in the world as well as other ills such countries are facing are facilitated by corruption.
The UN scribe who stated this while briefing participants at the ongoing Sixth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption holding in St. Petersburg, Russia asserted that other crimes, including human and illegal wildlife trafficking are also encouraged by corruption.
Mr. Ban, who was represented by the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Yury Fedotov, underlined that ending corruption and bribery was crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September by Member States to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years.
Stressing that no country is immune to the problem posed by corruption, he declared that the malicious impact of corruption makes people’s lives more expensive and that the scourge erodes consumer confidence and business credibility. To him, it also depletes public funds and destroys prospects for a fair society.
While urging world leaders to take bold decisions and act decisively to strengthen the global fight against corruption and bribery, the United Nations chief said ending corruption was vital to efforts to achieve sustainable development
His words: “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain the promise of a better collective future for people and planet, and they address the potential challenges that can impede our progress. One such threat is highlighted in Goal 16, which calls for substantial reductions in corruption and bribery in all its forms.
“Our ultimate goal must be to turn hands thrust out in hope of payment into hands joined together against these pernicious crimes. Let us forcefully convey the message that when bribes are paid, everyone counts the cost.”
Mr. Ban, who reiterated that corruption and bribery devastates lives across the globe, emphasized the need to ensure that public resources go where they are supposed to go.
He equally underscored the convention’s strength as a solid platform for engaging the private sector as a key partner in the fight against corruption and in global action to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
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